Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Combustion timbe below zero

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Had an interesting experience driving to Idaho the other day. We encountered a wide range of temperature within about 150 miles of driving. When we crested the Blue Mountains near Deadman pass on I-84 it was low 40s, but soon after settling in the lowlands beyond Weiser Idaho it was -8F. . . more than 50 degree temp drop. But the curiosity was that as the temperature quickly plummeted the tone quality and feel of the engine changed significantly. It went from smooth and normal sounding at around 5F to loud, chattery and coarse feeling at -8. Quite a bit more vibration. It almost felt like very slight random misfire, engine was like it had just been started on a cold day. Fuel had some Amalgamated additive but not a very strong dose and fuel pressure post-filter was rock steady and hadn't fallen at all from where it normally operates. I had the radiator about 80% blocked off. I did pull over quick though and throw more additive in. Whewee -8 is cold!! Anyway I suspect the open element air filter and free-flowing exhaust & large turbo may contribute to too much cold air and it starts to sort of "put the fire out"? Just a thought. Or maybe the IAT seeing such cold intake temps it advanced the timing a lot?

Vaughn

 

[Bob4x4]

Vaughn,It is very seldom I travel in those temps,my 12v doesn't sound much different down to the 30's but around here that is about tne lowest it gets.
On another note after seeing your sig for years I thought I might share this pic from one of my truck friend gtg's at LACR
#ad

 

[ChrisOlson]

Vaughn

I experience the same things when I am traveling in Cold Weather. This winter when it was -25 i had the radiator totally blocked and was still barley able to maintain 140 degree coolant temp while ideling. when driving the temp would go up to 190 ant the t stat would cycle . But yes My 99 does not like cold cold weather



chris

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Normal", summer diesel fuel will start to freeze down around zero degrees, and either stop fuel flow, or restrict it enough to cause poor engine operation. The Winter blend is really best for those colder temps - my own truck started running VERY rough on a trip up over the mile-high pass East of us when the outside temp dropped to zero - it was early in the Winter season, and I was still running Summer blend diesel...

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Now that's a throwback to a few years ago Bob!! I'm sad to say I can only pick one person out in that lineup, HVAC on the far left (can hardly believe it's been 9 years since his untimely passing).

Whoa. . . GaryK7Gld is back. . . good to see you on here! Was just thinking bout you the other day, keep thinking about making a quick afternoon drive down your way some weekend to check up on ya. Hope all is good, how's the '02 doing??

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Now that's a throwback to a few years ago Bob!! I'm sad to say I can only pick one person out in that lineup, HVAC on the far left (can hardly believe it's been 9 years since his untimely passing).

Whoa. . . GaryK7Gld is back. . . good to see you on here! Was just thinking bout you the other day, keep thinking about making a quick afternoon drive down your way some weekend to check up on ya. Hope all is good, how's the '02 doing??

ANY time, Vaughn - tho' Spring time might provide better driving weather. All's well here in general, getting antsy for outdoors weather...

 

[Joe Mc]

Hmmmm Summer V Winter... . I've had some recent "interesting" things happen that in over 10 years of ownership have "never" happened before - not to hijack, but just as a sharing of info see post https://www.turbodieselregister.com...86-Fuel-Psi-good-then-dwindles-to-0-long-read

 

[DMcLeod]

You ought to hear and feel how the 24V runs at -55F! I've driven at those temps a couple of times. Lots of -40 to -45F around here every winter.

I run #1 fuel all winter long. It's only -5F today, which is considered warm.

When it's around -30F and colder she rattles pretty good!

200,000 miles with no issues. I run amsoil filter in stock box and 4" exhaust. Didn't notice any cold weather related changes with them or the injectors.

 

[AH64ID]

During this same cold I spent some time in eastern Idaho and saw temps as low as -20° F.

The motor sounded perfectly normal, no strange noises, vibrations, etc. I do block the radiator off completely, but while moving at 70 mph the intake temp would still drop.

But that's a 3rd gen, so it's hard to say what the 2nd gen tuning will do. -8° isn't all that cold, it should operate normally.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have seen paper filters wiped out by snow but with no firsthand experience. How low have you seen intake air temps??

 

[BLNRAY]

several years ago i owned a 1975 Peterbilt with a NTA-400 cummins,very cold natured engine on its best day,on a 10mi downgrade at below zero temps the intake tempswould get low enough that when you got to the bottom of the grade it would skip and blow white smoke next mile or so till it got warmed up again

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

AH64ID the Snake River was sure froze solid, looked pretty cool! I had my '03 in really cold temps once and it was like you say, it had pretty much no effect on the sound. That was -10F. But the '98 it was much different but I don't know how much it had to do with the fuel in the tank, I doubt it had been winterized that much since I bought it here in Tri Cities and it hasn't been that cold. Our coldest night I think was 16F, most of the winter it hasn't been below 20.

 

[NIsaacs]

Or maybe the IAT seeing such cold intake temps it advanced the timing a lot?



Vaughn

I would guess this was the reason for your increased engine rattle. With my Edge EZ compounding this issue, my '01 will sound off on a real cold day, especially under no/low boost conditions.



Nick