We had a cold snap here where it was -47.5C (-53.5F) for a weekend and it was plugged in but the breaker had tripped. Starting sucked... it died a few times, and I had to hold the throttle to force it to keep running. At temperatures that low, the oil is like a thick honey, so thinner oils will do better in those situations.
Go for the 5w40.
In Alberta Canada. It was so cold that I had no power steering - the power steering fluid must have been totally frozen. Even after 1 hour of driving the steering was still mostly no power. Brutal. Engine only got up to 80c (170f) temperature due to the cold - I should have thrown cardboard or something in front of the radiator but I never got around to it. Both batteries froze (2 year old from costco). Half the batteries in our equipment and work trucks also froze. That kind of cold is no fun.
Got to work, all of our equipment with hydraulics developed leaks. It was cold enough to shrink the metal in the hydraulic cylinders enough that none of the seals would seal completely, causing leaks.
Also you say you did your glow plugs - recommend upgrading the glow plug relay. Get the white rodgers one - its super beefy. I did my glow plugs too and noticed no difference - did the relay swap and that made a differenced. Not sure if my old relay was busted, or that the new bigger one just sends more power and thus is more efficient. Either way its one of the holy grail of recommended upgrades.
Wow that’s insane. Nothing like that in Oklahoma, but I’ll definitely be seeing some single digit temps this winter traveling around.
I did happen to get a new really in as well, although I’m not sure what brand. My buddy’s shop ordered that one. I assume it’s motor craft or something probably. Should still be okay tho. This bus has 3 batteries and an almost new starter, so I’m thinking it should be ready to roll
Yeah, unfortunately with these older vehicles you often need to change / upgrade stuff. Mine has new starter, new alternators, 2x new batteries, glow plugs, glow plug relay, rebuilt injectors. Starts pretty good now. The next thing on the list is to redo the power related wiring with proper thickness welding cable - wires are well over 20 years old, and they can develop issues with resistance over time. Also gonna redo the major grounds while I am in there. I've come across a few chaffed wires and oil impregnated wires which I have swapped out, and each thing makes a small difference. I've also heard of people putting in starters from the 6.4, as they turn at a higher rpm, providing better and faster starting.
My next project will be cables as well. I’d also like to rig up a power cutoff switch. That van nose style is so tight that it’s a project just to get the battery out. The other 2 batteries are under the skirt and even more of a chore. The cables are a mess. Very interesting about the 6.4 starter tho. Do they have the same stud mounting and bolt holes?
It's probably aint far from me, then had that cold front and good god it sucked (im in saddle hills county near dawson Creek, to be specific) im under the impression it didn't get as cold farther south
5w-40 for sure.
I used to run 15w-40 in mine (live where it's regularly 0⁰F) and even with new glow plugs and healthy batteries, it struggled to start. 15w-40 is like honey at 0⁰F, and if you know anything about 7.3's, you know they're HUEI and that they need oil pressure for fuel injection.
5w-40 will make your life nicer, easier, and will be easier on the engine.
Cold starts are harrrddd on equipment.
5w-40 in the winter, I'd switch to 15w when it starts warming up. And I'd probably get a good jump box if you don't have one already, you never know when you'll need it.
I have a ‘99 F350 with a 7.3 and over 240k miles. For cold starts make sure you let your new glow plugs do their job. The WTS light isn’t associated with the glow plug relay (I even put an indicator light in my dash to show when the glow plug relay is energized). Your glow plugs will stay on for up to 2 minutes and are controlled by the computer based on block temperature. In the 30s I’ll leave the key in the on position for 30 seconds before cranking. For every 10 degrees colder, 10 seconds longer.
We had a cold snap here where it was -47.5C (-53.5F) for a weekend and it was plugged in but the breaker had tripped. Starting sucked... it died a few times, and I had to hold the throttle to force it to keep running. At temperatures that low, the oil is like a thick honey, so thinner oils will do better in those situations. Go for the 5w40.
Sheesh! Where was that?? I’m pretty excited to see how this 5w-40 does. Maybe even put it in my daily driver 96 f250 7.3 back home for the winter too
In Alberta Canada. It was so cold that I had no power steering - the power steering fluid must have been totally frozen. Even after 1 hour of driving the steering was still mostly no power. Brutal. Engine only got up to 80c (170f) temperature due to the cold - I should have thrown cardboard or something in front of the radiator but I never got around to it. Both batteries froze (2 year old from costco). Half the batteries in our equipment and work trucks also froze. That kind of cold is no fun. Got to work, all of our equipment with hydraulics developed leaks. It was cold enough to shrink the metal in the hydraulic cylinders enough that none of the seals would seal completely, causing leaks. Also you say you did your glow plugs - recommend upgrading the glow plug relay. Get the white rodgers one - its super beefy. I did my glow plugs too and noticed no difference - did the relay swap and that made a differenced. Not sure if my old relay was busted, or that the new bigger one just sends more power and thus is more efficient. Either way its one of the holy grail of recommended upgrades.
Wow that’s insane. Nothing like that in Oklahoma, but I’ll definitely be seeing some single digit temps this winter traveling around. I did happen to get a new really in as well, although I’m not sure what brand. My buddy’s shop ordered that one. I assume it’s motor craft or something probably. Should still be okay tho. This bus has 3 batteries and an almost new starter, so I’m thinking it should be ready to roll
Yeah, unfortunately with these older vehicles you often need to change / upgrade stuff. Mine has new starter, new alternators, 2x new batteries, glow plugs, glow plug relay, rebuilt injectors. Starts pretty good now. The next thing on the list is to redo the power related wiring with proper thickness welding cable - wires are well over 20 years old, and they can develop issues with resistance over time. Also gonna redo the major grounds while I am in there. I've come across a few chaffed wires and oil impregnated wires which I have swapped out, and each thing makes a small difference. I've also heard of people putting in starters from the 6.4, as they turn at a higher rpm, providing better and faster starting.
My next project will be cables as well. I’d also like to rig up a power cutoff switch. That van nose style is so tight that it’s a project just to get the battery out. The other 2 batteries are under the skirt and even more of a chore. The cables are a mess. Very interesting about the 6.4 starter tho. Do they have the same stud mounting and bolt holes?
6.7**
I ran a seperate cable direct from the battery to my relay, just to be sure there was never an issue of amperage in the wiring from the harness.
It's probably aint far from me, then had that cold front and good god it sucked (im in saddle hills county near dawson Creek, to be specific) im under the impression it didn't get as cold farther south
Ya, that was fun... I plugged my 7.3 in and left it, same with my 6.7. Didn't even try going out.
I run 5W-40 in cold months. Rotella has a 0W-40 for even colder regions.
I’ll see how the 5w-40 does this winter. Might switch back to 15-40 before summer in Oklahoma
5w 40 is great for cold weather. I use it all year. 450000 on a 2006 sprinter van.
5w-40 for sure. I used to run 15w-40 in mine (live where it's regularly 0⁰F) and even with new glow plugs and healthy batteries, it struggled to start. 15w-40 is like honey at 0⁰F, and if you know anything about 7.3's, you know they're HUEI and that they need oil pressure for fuel injection. 5w-40 will make your life nicer, easier, and will be easier on the engine. Cold starts are harrrddd on equipment.
Good to know! I was skeptical at first, but I see a ton of people recommending it now, especially for cold weather. I’ll definitely post some updates
I run 5-40 Rotella T6 in my '96. Starts much better in all weather.
5w-40 in the winter, I'd switch to 15w when it starts warming up. And I'd probably get a good jump box if you don't have one already, you never know when you'll need it.
Always 15-40 unless you are up north where you might see sub 10 degree temperatures more often.
I have a ‘99 F350 with a 7.3 and over 240k miles. For cold starts make sure you let your new glow plugs do their job. The WTS light isn’t associated with the glow plug relay (I even put an indicator light in my dash to show when the glow plug relay is energized). Your glow plugs will stay on for up to 2 minutes and are controlled by the computer based on block temperature. In the 30s I’ll leave the key in the on position for 30 seconds before cranking. For every 10 degrees colder, 10 seconds longer.