03' doesnt like the cold

[cr92max]

I have a few questions since I am new to the diesel world. I have had my 03' 6.0 for not quite a year and its developing a few problems. Seems as though its been idleing worse and worse as it gets colder when I start it in the morning. It will surge pretty heavy like a lopey pushrod gas engine and puff white smoke. After a minute or so it goes away and once it warms up acts fine. If I dont let it warm up for a good 5 minutes it will barely get up to 30mph. Once its warm drives as normal. This morning was the first morning in the 20's and it took about 20 tries to get it started. It would turn over and start up and die after a second. Did this 20 times and finally started and surged real bad for a few seconds. Ran fine after it warmed up like normal. I am afraid that it wont start at all once it gets colder and I plan to drive the truck to VT in a few months where it could see sub 0 zero temps at night and I want to be able to start it. There is no where to plug the truck in as far as I know so I cant even do that while I am at home. Please let me know what my issues are and some simple resolutions if possible. Thanks

[dl_sledding]

Take a look at this thread... It may help. I know, it's a long thread, but you will probably enjoy reading it:

6.0 oil analysis on Rotella T-5 10w-30. You will probably like this.

Also, based on the hard-starting portion of your problem, you may be having a problem with your Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM). Check out these two posts:

New TSB from FORD on FICM repairs

and

FICM repair/upgrade

Good luck!

EDIT: These were just suggestions.... You can try them for troubleshooting purposes, but you probably really need to get a scan tool to properly diagnose and find the real problem. There are other, more costly things that can cause these symptoms as well... Anyway, GL.

[cr92max]

Oil was the first thing I was thinking of trying after reading other posts. Weird thing is that I am on my second oil change sincle owning the truck and it seems to be giving me more trouble since my last oil chance about 2 months ago. I couldn't find the motorcraft 15w-40 that I used the first oil change and had to buy the Rotella 15w-40. Didnt have the issues with the motorcraft but I will try a lower weight oil to see if it provides smoother starts as the weather gets colder. Thanks for the post.

[Chango]

Go with the Rotella T5 like stated in that thread. First morning with it and I noticed a slight improvement in my rough starting