6.0 runs rough

[3ddiver]

I am new to this board and new to owning a diesel. I got my new truck home and discover that it runs very rough when starting it when it is cold and it is cold outside (under 35F) It restarts hot fine and above 35 it seems fine. Any ideas or is it going to the shop? I read about oil viscosity in the owners manual. What are people running in the winter? Where I live it is below and above 30 all winter, I cant change my oil every week. It is a 2005 F-250 w 73,000 miles on it. Thanks

[jeepguy88]

Hi, Im with that guy........

Im new here also, and went to start my 6.0 and it was horriable. It did start on the first crank, but it was bad, my old chevy 6.2 starts smoother in this weather. The whole truck was shaking pretty violently, and then it slowly smoothed out. I would be embarrassed to show my new truck off to a friend if it starts like that agian.

Also, where exactly is the block heater cord, I looked, but not very hard, instead of freezing my pants off I would come here and ask.

Any help would be great......

[Rescuediver]

Originally Posted by 3ddiver

I am new to this board and new to owning a diesel. I got my new truck home and discover that it runs very rough when starting it when it is cold and it is cold outside (under 35F) It restarts hot fine and above 35 it seems fine. Any ideas or is it going to the shop? I

Well you have found the one of the downfalls of a diesel. They chatter and shake like you do when cold. In cold wether it is best to let you motor warm up a little before taking off. When you hear of guys with a high idle mod on there trucks, this is why to warm the motor faster. Nothing is wrong with it if it starts and runs fine once it is warm.

[Rescuediver]

Originally Posted by jeepguy88

Hi, Im with that guy........

Also, where exactly is the block heater cord, I looked, but not very hard, instead of freezing my pants off I would come here and ask.

Any help would be great......

On the 6.0 look on the pass. side of the motor (look for the freeze plugs) you can see it through the fender-well, or just climb under the truck. If you truck already has a plug the AC cord will be hidden behind one of you tow hooks. If you don't have a plug you can pick one of these up on eBay or your local dealership. If you still can't find it I'll take some pix to help you. Let me know..

[03-6.0PSD]

The high idle should be stock, should it not? I may be far off.. but a buddy of mine has the 04 6.0 and in cold weather it goes to 1000 rpm, and my 03 6.0 also does the same. is this mod everyone talks about stock or after market?

in this cold weather I knew my truck was going to run rough so I stayed inside and started it with the remote, so I didnt have to listen to it shiver till the high idle kicked in... then let it run at 1000 rpm for a good 10 mins while the windows defrosted.

I would have had it plugged in but... it was parked out on the road and our house is about 200 ft from the road.. and since it snowed, our driveway is not something you want to drive down with ice and snow. very steep, with a curve.

[Rescuediver]

Originally Posted by 03-6.0PSD

The high idle should be stock, should it not? I may be far off.. but a buddy of mine has the 04 6.0 and in cold weather it goes to 1000 rpm, and my 03 6.0 also does the same. is this mod everyone talks about stock or after market?

in this cold weather I knew my truck was going to run rough so I stayed inside and started it with the remote, so I didnt have to listen to it shiver till the high idle kicked in... then let it run at 1000 rpm for a good 10 mins while the windows defrosted.

I would have had it plugged in but... it was parked out on the road and our house is about 200 ft from the road.. and since it snowed, our driveway is not something you want to drive down with ice and snow. very steep, with a curve.

Yes your truck will idle up but I belive there is an after market mod to make it idle higher and quicker. I don't have this because of the climate I live in , however guys are putting these on their rigs and using the upfitter switches to control them. That tells me there is a better aftermarket setup. Remote start is wonderful, I love mine!! Bummer about the long driveway. It doesn't get very cold in SC, I rarely even wear a jacket down here.

[03-6.0PSD]

beepbeepbeepbeep you!! lol, I envy you!! Im sick of this snow and cold! if its not snowing its windy and rainy. I hate winter. I would love to live where its warm and dry so that I can wash my truck and still have it shiney in 2 weeks!!!... I wash it here and I have to wash it the very next day!...

Such as life.. small price to pay, as this is where my home and family is. as well as girlfriend, so I dont think I can move.

[owtcast]

The reason gas motors run better when cold is they use the spark plugs to fire the fuel. Newer gas motors with fuel injection are great about running smoother when cold since the computer automatically senses whether it needs timing, more fuel etc. Diesels rely on the compression to fire the fuel so the colder it is, the less compression. Also, driving hard on a cold diesel engine isn't the best thing to be doing. Diesels have to be quite a bit "tighter" as far as tolerances go to make the kind of compression they do. Hammering down when it's cold causes things to heat up and expand at different rates causing accelerated wear or worse. It's a small price to pay to have the hp/torque numbers a diesel provides. Be kind to your motor and let it warm up. And it will bring a grin to your face for many years.

[Keith T]

If your truck does romp-romp-romp until it gets warm I would change the oil. I run 5W-40 synthetic year round. Also remember that the injector use oil to help "fire" them off. Keith

[OLDTOM]

Your plug for the block heater is behind the bumper to the right of the left tow hook. The space is tight if you don't have small hands. It took me a while to find it. It is clipped in place and will only allow the plug to barely protrude from the hole. Give a gentle but firm pull and the restraint will break and you should have enough length to plug in with no problem, I loop the cord in the tow hook when not pluged in. Good luck