newbie in AK , cold weather break in ?? oil ??

[AKDrifter]

Hey folks, ready to pick up my new 2001 4x4 ETH DEE this week and had a question about break-in in cold weather. Any different procedure when the temps drop below 0? Also,is a grill cover recomended provided I keep the 60 sq. inches recomended open?

 

[Chad Sheets]

No real difference for break in, just have to try harder to keep it warm. Avoid prolonged idle, especialy with new rings and cold temps. All the excess unburnt fuel can easily make its way past the rings into the crankcase. Dont get worried, thats an extreme case.

The radiator cover is a good idea. Will help you get warm faster. If you have an auto transmission, after starting the truck, put it in N, this will allow the fluid to flow in the transmission and get warmed up a little quicker. If its in P, the transmission fluid isnt flowing, and takes longer to get warmed up.

Buy fuel from reputable places, no bend-over-bob fuel stops. Get it from a truck stop if you can that has new tanks and sells a bunch of fuel every day. Keep the tank as full as possible at all times in the winter months to eliminate moisture build up on the fuel tank walls.

While we are on the fuel subject, I highly recomend a fuel psi gage asap. We have problems with lift pumps (the electric fuel pump that feeds the injection pump fuel) going bad. The only way you will know its bad is with a gage, because the truck will still run and drive normal, but the injection pump will be getting starved of fuel. If the injection pump dies, you are looking at some big $$$$ to fix it.

One last thing. If this is your first diesel rig, be careful in the snow. They are nose heavy and handle differently than what most people are use to. Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any questions or ideas.

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Always ready to help!
2000 2500 Red Sport quad cab, 4x4, K&N, DDI's, straight piped, boost, pyro and fuel pressure gages, Hot Power Edge, EZ box, mean looking set of 33. 5" tires, Snap On diamond tool box, Marine Corps window sticker, Semper Fi!

1972 340 Cuda'. Original tripple Black, 340 car w/air. Good clean car, super stock springs, Weld Prostars, shaker hood, strong 340 with a 727/4000 stahl, 4. 56... . Bombs away!
NRA Life Memberhttp://www.geocities.com/chadsheets

 

[AKDrifter]

Thanks for the input Chad, synthetic oil in the steering box sounds good. Is it needed to swap out the factory oil and run a 5w-30 oil made for diesels for 10-30 below temps? A petrolium based oil of course. If so, who makes a good oil without all the additives so I can assure the engine a proper break-in? Also, is it out of the question to take the fan off so I'm not fighting the temp game. Our temps don't go over 36 deg. and I'm only pulling loads of 3-5k max.