Why did I get a Diesel?

[bstopek]

Can someone remind me why I got a diesel and why I would ever buy one again? Every winter I have starting issues, here it sits in my drive while I go to town in a Chrysler Sebring convertible to get fuel for my Kubota tractor that is also a diesel so that I can finish moving snow from the house to the barn. The Kubota L4300DT sits outside NOT plugged in and starts EVERY time. Is it really worth all these issues? The cost for me to run it is not cheaper than a gas motor, my son has an old 93 Dodge W250 with the Magnum V8, starts like a charm.

My truck is a 2001 F350 Dually Crew Cab 4x4, it does have 290,000 miles on it, but I feel I've paid very well for every one of them!

Sorry for venting, I feel somewhat better now.

The temperature is -2, just west of Des Moines, IA.

[JMart]

You are comparing apples to oranges to grapes. A gas engine will start easier it has spark plugs. It doesn't depend on heat and compression to fire up. You tractor has a different compression ratio and probably has better glow plugs. when was the last time you had to service your glow plug system?

[Robsr]

When you live in a climate where temps go below freezing, you need to winterize your truck in the fall before winter hits. this is a fact of life with diesels. they cost more to maintain. if you don't need a diesel, sell it and buy a gasser.

[ianstew]

Originally Posted by Robsr

When you live in a climate where temps go below freezing, you need to winterize your truck in the fall before winter hits. this is a fact of life with diesels. they cost more to maintain. if you don't need a diesel, sell it and buy a gasser.

agreed... in that kinda weather you need to be running lighter oil, and make sure your GPS, batts, etc are in tip top shape. If your truck is not starting in cold weather, then you have a problem. These trucks are designed to start in cold weather....... without being plugged in. And with 290k on the clock...she's got some age. Injectors are tired, etc. Tired injectors and cold weather don't mix well.

[007.3Powerstroke]

what all intales in winterizeing a diesel. i have a 2000 7.3 with 213,000 miles. i dont drive it much in the winter, i have a honda i drive in the winter and around to save on fuel. Its pluged in when its at home.

What do i need to do to winterize my rig?

Originally Posted by Robsr

When you live in a climate where temps go below freezing, you need to winterize your truck in the fall before winter hits. this is a fact of life with diesels. they cost more to maintain. if you don't need a diesel, sell it and buy a gasser.

[Dave]

Switch to a lighter weight oil like a 5w40 diesel rated synthetic. Also test your glow plug relay. Those are notorious for failing on a 7.3

[007.3Powerstroke]

cool. i just replaced the glow plug relays and batteries. so all i have to do is switch the oil weight. i can do that cause i need to change mine

Originally Posted by Dave

Switch to a lighter weight oil like a 5w40 diesel rated synthetic. Also test your glow plug relay. Those are notorious for failing on a 7.3

[Robsr]

NCHornet has posted winterization tips in another thread. you'll have to use the search function, I have a.d.d, lol

[bstopek]

Thanks for all the responses, didn't mean to attack the 7.3 crowd it just gets frustrating. I'll review the winterizing thread to see what I need to address. Thanks for the helpful insight!

[chvyrkr]

Glow plugs themselves could be bad. If you'd rather test them than replace them, pull the valve covers and the plugs, hook the uninstalled plug to the harness, and turn the key. All those not beat red within about 5 seconds are bad.