Cold Start Problems 04 6.0

[adirondacktow]

My 04 F550 with 6.0 is a SC truck and I recently brought it to NY. Any temp under 40 and it would start hard. If it got under twenty it wouldn't start at all. Crank til the batteries die and just get white smoke. If I plug it in it will start fine but at 30 degrees you shouldn't have to. Changed oil and fuel filters. No better. In the mean time I lost taillights and ft marker lights but not mirror or cab lights. Took it to dealer.... Bad FICM, bad GPCM, and bad EGR valve, and non serviceable relay in fuse box. Thats quite a list so I figured I should check everything myself. Got it back and put the GPCM in and no better. Tested FICM and all was fine except injector buzz it dropped to 13V. Called innovative and decided to get swamps 58v FICM and ordered sinister egr delete and new oil cooler. Put in all new parts. Starts better than before but not much. 20 degrees will still kill batteries from cranking. Batteries are fairly new and load test good. Alternator good. Replaced fuse box and that fixed the lights for a couple days. Same problem back now and no idea why. Went to start it this morning... 24 degrees out. Turned key and nothing. heard all the noises(glow plugs, fuel) but did nothing when I tried to crank it. Tried a few more times and it Cranked.. some white smoke..Killed batteries after a few min just like im getting used to with it. Plugged it in and put it on charge. Came back out half hour later and tried to crank and it wouldn't start. I don't know if it comes standard but when I turn the key it will crank for like thirty seconds even if I stop cranking and even if I take the key out. Of course today is the day I was waiting for where the starter had enough. Starter went. Sorry for the long post but that is all the information. Also I forgot to mention this is my tow truck and the problems are killing me. I own my own towing company and I don't know what to do about this. Thanks in advance

[Dave]

Start with replacing your batteries. They are toast. When you load tested them did you totally disconnect em

[adirondacktow]

I'm not sure. I would hope so. They did it last time it was at the dealer. What batteries would you recommend for these trucks? Especially with it being a tow truck and using all the extra power. I should brobably test them again. If they test good then what?

[diablos30]

with all the extra equipment do you have dual alternators?

[adirondacktow]

I dont believe it does. It has a light bar and some work lights. Also some accessories inside like chargers and gps. Nothing to cause extra draw in starting though.

[Dave]

Probably doesnt have dual alternators. Just a high output one..

[adirondacktow]

Any ideas about the cold starting problems though? I know its more than batteries because even if its plugged in to a charger or hooked up to another truck it will kill the batteries before it will actually start if its cold out

[RacerBoy21c]

If your planning on replacing the batteries i would recommend getting Optima batteries. Another Suggestion would be to get insulation for around the batteries. I know my 7.3 came with insulation from the factory but i don't think they put any on the 6.0's.

What weight oil are you running?

[adirondacktow]

the standard 15W40 but Im starting to think that is too thick for my area this time of year. I know that and the batteries will effect it but I really dont think it will keep it from starting this bad. The insulation around the batteries is a good idea. I dont want to get new batteries unless I have to though. Money is tight and I have spent around 2K on it in the last two weeks on parts trying to fix this

[jls48066]

would start with batteries 6.0s are touchy if the batteries arent tip top
2 i would change your oil to a lesser weight
3 how many miles ore on it maybe you have a slight injector stiction this would not help the situation??? if it hiccups and chugs on cold days untill high idle mode sinks in this may be part of the reason, i would suggest rev x oil additive it worked me