Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil Change question - trip to North Dakota

[fishjack1]

I will be leaving on a trip to North Dakota at the end of the month (for about a week) - I am going to change my oil before I depart - I have been running Rotella T 15w40 every oil change since my truck was new.



I have been reading past post about cold weather operation and I know that ND in late OCT/early Nov is not considered cold to some folks.



Looks like the temps in ND have been in the mid twenties on average at night and looks like they will remain so while I am there. Should I (for this one trip) run a winter weight oil? Down here is South Mississippi we rarely see temps in the twenties.



I should be able to plug in my block heater each night so the 15w40 might be ok?



Just looking for some advise from some members from colder climates.



Also when in ND last year I noticed there are 4 or 5 different grades of diesel at the pumps - here in MS you only have one option - "diesel".

Are the other grades winter grades? which should I run when there?



Any advise is appreciated. .

 

[RBratby]

i dont think there should be much of a problem. i use 15w40 all year. i use the block heater when the truck sits all night in cold temps. truck gets oil pressure just like on a hot day.

 

[fishjack1]

RBratby - thanks for the reply. . I figured it (15w40) would be OK. . I just have no experience in cold weather with my truck even after 237K miles. .



I have reviewed just about every post on "cold weather" operation -

subjects including -

Cold Weather Fronts (radiator covers)

Battery Blankets

Aux heaters

High Idlers

and others.

All overkill for my 1 week trip. .



But I might fab a "high idle" stick for the early morning starts.

Thanks again

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Unless temps are going much under +10F I don't think you have much to worry about to prepare for cold weather operation. Just make sure you have good antifreeze, good batteries, and throw in fuel conditioner for good measure. Stick with the Rotella oil.



Vaughn

 

[Featherman]

ND Winter

I live two hours north of Grand Forks... ... ... ... you should be okay with 15-40; just make sure your batteries are good and your block heater is in working order.



I wouldn't go through the hassle of a fast idle swtich for a 1 week stint in ND.

 

[DonFitzwater]

I gotta put in my two cents about the batterys. Make absolutley sure they are in good shape because a cold soaked engine will show you if you have a bad battery. I've got a pto cable for a high idle but you can use a sleeping bag or a brick or whatever will keep that pedal pushed down enough for some decent rpms for warmup. I usually don't plug in till it hits 10-15 or so. I don't go to 0w40 till its really cold out. A little fuel additive neve hurts either.

Have fun on your trip. Hopefully its a hunting trip!

 

[fishjack1]

Thanks guys - yep heading up to chase ducks. .



Went earlier in the season last year and the weather was warm - this year looks like it's gonna be a good bit colder. Probably will pass all the ducks heading south on the way up. . :-laf



Seems the consensus is "batteries" - well they are new (about 3 months old) but I will load test them anyway and check the water level in each. Recently changed my anti-freeze so it should be good to go as well.



As far as fuel conditioner I run the PowerService now just for lube so that should not be a problem either.



Thanks again - will have my "travel companion" handy just in case. .

 

[Dfuruness]

I also use 15W40 Rotella all year. Lived in Alberta and now Ontario where the temps can drop. In Alberta, I started cold at -36C, not plugged in and started rough but smoothed out in no time.



You will have no problems due to engine oil.



Happy travels.

 

[arthr31]

i'll concur with the other cold-start folks. I don't plug in until under 32F. And, as has been pointed out, strong batteries, with good clean connections are key. Speaking of which, how's your starter? I guess you'll see.

Also, if really cold, and it hasn't been plugged in, depress the accelerator pedal a bit (1/4" ) while trying to start... won't hurt and may make starting quicker.

keep the PowerService handy, and have a nice trip



p. s. to give you some encouragement, last winter i was in ME with temps below 15F and nowhere to plug in, truck started fine, ran rough for a min or two and the was fine...

 

[fishjack1]

Starter should be fine - that's why I have new batteries. .



The starter was dragging a few months back so I figured it was the contacts again (on my second set of Larry B's already).



Took the starter off the truck contacts looked good - load tested the batteries and one was kinda weak got new batteries still slow starting.



Removed the starter for further inspection (getting pretty good at that task) checked the brushes and they were waaay out of spec. Ordered new brushes (ground plate/brush set from Larry B) installed them and presto like new starter again. I went ahead and installed new contacts, plunger and starter solenoid saver diode while I had it off the truck.



FWIW good thing everyone has advised sticking with the 15w40. . just out of curiosity I had been checking availability of winter grade oil around here - pretty much non-existent for obvious reasons.

 

[bmoeller]

If the battieres are that new, no need to load test them. I usually plug in around 40*, just to keep the oil warmer. I don't have as far to drive to work as I used to since I moved, so it helps get the engine and oil up to temp faster to get rid of any moisture build up.



The truck starts right up in low 30* weather without even bothering to wait for the grid heaters, as long as the batteries are up.

 

[HughO]

I guess I have to put in my 2 cents to think about synthetic oil. Where I live(jackson WYO) it's essential. We have synthetic in all our vehicles in engines, difs, and TCs(Dodge Dump trk), JD Backhoe, Chev suburban, 2 mercedes diesels and 94 and 97 & 01 4X4 Dodge Cummins. When it hit -48 one winter I broke my drive shaft on the suburban from non syntheic dif oil! Without plugging the Dodges in, they start to -20 F. But we plug all of them in if its below zero to save wear, of course we use timers to save electrons. Milage is better, shifting easier etc when cold. I use Amsoil in the difs(Im a dlr) but I use whatever engine synthetic is the cheapest(@ NAPA, k-mart etc. With the jump in crude costs, the spread between snthetic and petro lubricants has narrowed so much to make the switch to synthetic a slam dumk even if you live in Mississippi!

 

[fishjack1]

Well here in ND. .



Drove up Friday (about 26 hour drive)... not that cold so no worries yet. . developed an oil leak on the way up . . just resealed the vacuum pump before I left and I think it is leaking at the PS shaft seal OR the TDC pin is leaking. . ??? Adjusted the valves ba4 I left MS. .



Anyway will get under the truck tomorrow and see what is going on. .



temps are pretty mild right now. . Supposed to be in the 20s tonight. .



thanks for all the input. .

Jack

 

[NIsaacs]

When it hit -48 one winter I broke my drive shaft on the suburban from non syntheic dif oil!





If you drive in slushy snow/mud during the day and then set your E-brake overnight, they can freeze down or if you park in mud, you can freeze down, however thick oil breaking your drive line???





"NICK"