Winter-what to expect from your Truck...newbie must read!!!

[Deeno]

Good job Turbodude That should clarify some things for some people who aren't that familiar with diesels

[Deeno]

Originally Posted by massothsean@yahoo.com

Hey, I am new to both this forum and psd's . I am looking at a 99 f350 7.3 I think and I was wondering what are the trouble spots with this truck, and what should I be looking out for ? It is a 4x4 longbed 4 door with 106,000 miles on it . Any advise would be very cool. thanks..

Hear is a link that should help ya:
http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/7-3-tech-files/

[Turbodude]

yeah i found that link and PMed it to him.

[AKsledder]

On my PSD I also have a oil heater, basically a heater element in the oil filter housing that plugs into 110. Not sure if it is an Alaska thing since that is where I bought my truck but I really like it. The temps in the morning have been around 0-5 deg but when it starts idles right down and no bad noises.

[straycat]

Originally Posted by AKsledder

On my PSD I also have a oil heater, basically a heater element in the oil filter housing that plugs into 110. Not sure if it is an Alaska thing since that is where I bought my truck but I really like it. The temps in the morning have been around 0-5 deg but when it starts idles right down and no bad noises.

Do you Know if it's a factory item, or aftermarket. I'd be interested in one of those.---Gord.sorrey for the

[Turbodude]

Hey, you can go to any autoparts store and get one...they are usually magnetic and stick onto the oil pan or side of the block or where ever you want that is metal but not alluminum.

[straycat]

Thanks Turbodude, I'll look into that. It would be good for when I go up north.

[AKsledder]

Straycat, The oil heater I have is factory from Ford. There is a element inside the oil filter manifold just above the filter. No magnetics involved. If I can get home before dark I will try to get a picture of it

[straycat]

That would be great, If you notice a part # that would be nice, but not a big deal. Thanks alot.

[Jorkon]

How much do those magnetic heater deals usually cost and do they just plug into a normal wall outlet?

I also have a question on pluging my truck in. I car pool with my aunt to work and we take turns driving every other day and the way I have been doin it is pluging in the block heater which is on a timer set to come on 3 hours before I leave and plug it into the truck the night before I drive. The temps for were I live are predicting highs in the teens and lows in the low single digits, im a little concerned about it on that night and day were it just sits outside not pluged in or anything. My question is when its really cold like this should I just leave it pluged in all the time and give my parents a few extra bucks for the extra electricity or is leaving it on the timer alright, or should I mabey bump the time up to 4 or 5 hours before I leave in the morning?