MY 2002 4.6 4x4 would not start at -10 below until I put a hair dryer under the hood for a couple of minutes put it in drive and rocked it a bit then it started. This happened twice the same night when first it was parked outside for 3 hours after running then parked outside for 7 hours after running. This is the first time in -10 degrees and have never had a problem before in temps between +5 and up. Does this mean a engine warmer?

 

where is the weather -10????????

 

In Sierra County Calif. North of Tahoe where is gets like that a few times in Dec, Jan.

 

Sure sounds like you might want to invest in a block heater. What grade oil do you currently run?

 

Oh Goody, the temperature is supposed to get to ZERO tonight. I get to see how well this Synthetic Mobil one oil works...

 

Alot of people put 20w-50w to fight engine wear. When it gets real cold in makes turning the engine a little diff. 5w-30w is the way to go in cold climes ( us wimps here in So. Cal. cry when it gets into the high 40's. Saw guys wearing ski hats and ear muffs and it was 49... geez!)

 

When you say it won't start do you mean it won't even turn over?

I usually turn my lights on for 30 seconds then off before I start mine in cold weather to warm up the battery.

 

ha! -10!! here in Kamloops Canada BC it was -27 today! my 98 f-250 light duty started up like a charm, not plugged in too.

 

My 02 4.6 wouldn't start yesterday either (25 below 2:00 PM) I've been using 5W20. Engine turned very slowly but would not start. I'm trying the hairdryer thing today and then getting it into the shop to install a block heater. The cold weather here in Montana really sneaked up on me. None of the weather forcasts suggested 30 below. Had I known it would get this cold I would have installed the heater before the sub zero weather.

BTW It's 30 below right now and I have no water in my house either, but that's the landlords problem.

 

yes I use 5-30 weight oil and yes it won't turn over and I have full battery power.

 

temp 1- how do think that by warming battery it makes a difference in cold starting?

 

A warm battery is a happy battery...

See the part about turning on headlights here...

PRO...

• Before cranking the engine, turn on the headlights for 10 seconds to warm the battery.

True, believe it or not. I used to think this was just a myth until a battery expert described how a moderate current draw for about 10 seconds actually warms the battery's electrolyte, increasing the battery's electrical potential and its ability to deliver current to the starter motor.



http://www.startribune.com/stories/435/3621086.html

or the CON here...

http://www.inct.net/~autotips/battmyth.htm

And leave it to a Canadian to talk about WARM batteries...

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/030205.htm

And are all your battery terminals all nice and clean!

 

so you are saying the battery may not be sending enough current to starter because it is too cold? Then if that's the case why doesn't the engine even try to crank? Does the computer sense the current from the battery and shut the process down before it reaches the starter?

 

Cold weather works against you in two ways. First the battery has less power. The colder the battery, the less power it has. Warming up the battery will provide more cranking amps. Any draw on the battery will create a chemical reaction inside the battery that creates heat. If the engine does not turn over you need more cranking amps out of the battery. Look for the battery with the largest CCA number you can find, and replace the one you have.

Second, the energy required to turn the motor over increases as it gets colder. Some things you can do are:

1) Allow the engine to cool slowly so that all the oil drains off the engine into the pan. Don't park with then engine facing up wind. Park nose to nose to another truck, or up against a building. If you have to park in a big lot, put the front of the truck down wind.

2) Use a lighter weight synthetic oil. The first number is important for cold starts. For example, 0w-30 or 0w-20 will work the best, and 5w-30 or 5w-20 are still good.

3) If you start it, drive it until it is good and warm. The big draw on the battery is going to requre more charge time, plus if the engine is not up to operating temp the oil will stay on the engine and cool there requring more battery to start it the next time.

The worst thing you can do is drive a few short miles to the store, shop there for a few hours, start the engine, and drive to the restaurant across the street and set there for a few hours. Each start draws from the batttery and it does not get recharged, and the engine will require more battery power because the oil was never warmed up to operating temp.

Most important it to make sure the last run before shutting it down for the night is a long drive where the engine is warm and the battery is fully charged.

I have heard that this truck is tested to start to something like 60 below zero. I'm sure that was not tested on a five year old battery.

 

Yes, the battery may not be able to turn the engine over but the starter may be helping to warm the battery up when you try to start the engine (That hairdryer can't hurt none either).

You might have corroded connections which also will keep amps from reaching the starter.

Cold batteries also do not charge well and the freezing point of a lead acid battery goes up as it is dis-charged. The battery will be damaged if it freezes.

Batteries really do get old and don't put out the amps that they did when they were new so keep that in mind...

See CYCLE LIFE...
http://batterywholesale.com/battery_life.htm

If you want a good battery for starting in cold temperatures, then follow Green's advice and find one with HIGH Cold Cranking Amp ratings.

I guess I will add a warning as Lead acid batteries can produce HYDROGEN which is explosive. Yes, a battery can blow up. That is why you hook the battery terminals first when jumping cars and then the other battery terminal and to an OUTSIDE GROUND on the other vehicle LAST (Like a bumper) so that any sparks do not occur near the battery.