Cold Weather Operation - Alaska

[m715]

Well I'm going to graduate school in Fairbanks, Alaska this fall, and I'm planning to have a Dodge cummins truck by the time i leave



Seeing the weather up there get COLD... what should I do to prepare the truck for winter?



Any good tips or suggestions for running in the cold?



Will I need additional heaters besides the block heater?

If i end up getting an auto, I suspect I'll need aleast a pan heater?



Thanks!



Luke

 

[MJawsman]

Here in Minnesota, we get as cold as Alaska, although they may be colder for a longer period of time. My suggestions for cold weather prep would be synthetic fluids everywhere-including power steering. An aux heater may be a good idea, but I've never needed anything other than a block heater. Also some type of cold weather front (grill) is a must. You might also consider disconecting the fan clutch and go with some sort of user-selectable electric fan. Assuming the truck is 4x4, I'd recommend getting tall, narrow all-terrain tires (255/85R16) with a good set of chains. That should get you through most situations without a lot of difficulty. Just my $. 02 and IMO. Good luck and have fun!

 

[JStordahl]

m715: Don't forget the anti gel additive. So you're going to drive the Alcan? I hope you can make it without getting a rock in your windshield. I drove it back in 1986 and got hit five times..... after the first rock the teeth clenching sorta changed to indifference as the other four rocks just didn't matter any more. I was driving a new Ford back then. The "road" may have improvements by now. Good luck..... Fairbanks is a nice city.

 

[BruceF]

I grew up in Fairbanks - lived there 16 years before the cold got to me! And most of that time we had diesels in one form or another.



#1 - Good batteries - these motors require a lot of juice to spin over and the cold saps the strength out of batteries.



#2 - Cold front on your rig, help generate some heat.

#2a - New thermostat - they used to have different temp stats, dont know if they do for the new Cummins. In gas motors we'd run 205 degree stats.



#3 - In addition to the block heater, we'd normally hook up a

pad heater to the bottom or side of the oil pan. Just clean the pan real well and use hi temp silicone to stick it in place. Plug in the block htr and the pad htr together so they plug in at the same time. That way not only is your coolant warm, the oil lubing

your motor is warm.



#4 - Fast idle device of some sort - you always go out and start your truck, then go back inside for a few minutes. Need that extra idle to generate some heat.



#5 - Tires - like was already mentioned. Tall thin tires are best 235's or 255's /85 are good choices, studs are a good option too. Fairbanks doesn't really get dumped on for snow (too cold), chains really aren't required. Its the ice fog that coats the ground w/ a frost that makes the roads like a skating rink.



#6 - Synthetics - not required, but if you have the $$ a really good idea.



#7 - Warm clothes, boots, and gloves! If ya dont take em w/ you, you will be buying em there!!!

 

[Midnite]

BruceF has some great suggestions, and I especially agree with the pad heater on the bottom of the oil pan. I have one on mine, and absolutely love it.



The only other suggestions I'd make that I haven't seen here yet are:



1. Loose the fan altogether for winter operation. I still haven't put mine back on, and it was in the mid 70's last week. However, I didn't have to drive the truck loaded, and if I did I would have put the fan back on.



2. Carry an extension cord in the truck so you can plug in wherever there may be an outlet. In Fairbanks many (most?) parking lots have an outlet for each parking space.



3. You don't necessarily need synthetic engine oil, just *thinner* oil. 10w-30 or 0w-40, or any diesel oil thinner than the normal 15w-40 stuff is what you want. I think if it were me, I'd do the Amsoil 15w-30 synthetic, but there are other good choices too.



Mike

 

[Speedo]

Cold weather prep

Extreme cold weather can do weird things so basically you just

want to make sure that everything is in good shape. You will

probably see temperatures a little lower than -60 f. and that is

without any chill factor and that can be hard on batteries so a

lot of people use battery heaters. A high idle control of some sort

and a heater like a Webasto or Espar are nice but they are not

essentials.

 

[lgibson]

All good ideals. I am also from Ak. I have a remote starter on mine. That way when I go into the store I can keep the truck running and still secured. It is also handy because if the power goes out your truck will start by itself and warm up at a preset temp. You can also have the fast idle hooked up to the remote. I would also get an engine blanket and the one that covers the underside of engine and transmission.



I seen it so cold once that when I was parking I had to stop and sit for about one minute, pull forward and let sit another minute, then back up for another minute before parking. The hot tires can melt the snow and ice then freeze within minutes. Not fun to be stuck in a parking lot on flat paved ground.



I personal drive a 84 Isuzu diesel Pup in winter up there. Zero problems with it and besides I would rather have it hit, again, instead of my CTD. With over 100 accidents per day in Anchorage alone, I drive a beater. Last time it was hit was a by a stopped Subaru. It stoped, but the sheet of ice he was on did not.



One last thing, before really driving it in winter find a parking lot and see how it handles. The front end is heavy and the rear is really light. If it is a dulley, remove two rear tires. One on each side of course

 

[WDaniels]

I live in Fairbanks and all the suggestions are good ones.

When you get here, give me a ring and we will get you set up. PM me for more info.

WD

 

[Bigsaint]

You might want to consider also replacing the power steering fluid with syn. , a few members here have commented on it's cold weather performance being much better when real cold.



Another option to consider is an exhaust brake ( if you get the stick). Whether you tow or not, these are great for warming up the engine on cold mornings or when you are forced to warm up without the luxury of plugging in. Simply start the truck, wait for the oil pressure to come and then activate the ebrake. Go back inside for 10 minutes and when you return, the truck will be warm. Just my opinion here, but the ebrake is much better for the engine on cold morning warm ups, compared to a high idler. I used a high idle stick I made when the truck was new. When we removed the OEM injectors to make room for the aftermarket, I was amazed at how crappy they looked. When we removed the aftermarket injectors to make room for bigger aftermarket injectors , the last set was as clean as new. Reason being that I had an ebrake installed with the first set of aftermarket injectors and used the brake exclusively for my warm ups. Running the idle up to 1200 rpms does warm up the engine quicker, but I believe there is still a good amount of cylinder wash down when real cold. Again, just my $0. 02, I'm hardly an expert and this is my first diesel.



Scott W.

 

[m715]

Wow this is great info... thanks for all the advice and tips!



I didn't realize there were so many people here from alaska or had been in alaska...



Now I just have to find the right truck and get for the drive out



Luke

 

[Alaskaskiff]

There is a fella from Fort St. John on the board with the handle of Swamp Donkey who had some good words about cold as well. I believe he runs 0W40 Esso (Canadian brand) or some such oil in his truck. Fort St. John is on the ALCAN and gets every bit as cold as Fairbanks.



I have driven the ALCAN 4 times and it has cost me 4 windshields. In 1998, the last time I drove it, there was only about 30 miles of gravel road left. It gets better all the time.



Try to buy your fuel in the bigger towns. It will save you mucho dinero.



My wife lived in Fairbanks for 10 years and had a block heater, a pan heater, and battery blankets. They were all wired on the same circuit.