Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Winterizing my CTD

[TXCTD]

This is a question for all you guys up north. I will be moving to Montana in January and am thinking that I need to do certain things to my truck to handle the extreme temps. It has lived in Texas all its life so it aint used to the cold. What fluids do I need to swap? What kinda maintenance is necessary while up there? Any thoughts are helpful. Thanks a lot guys.

 

[LSMITH]

Pour a little fuel conditioner in the fuel you bring from the south and you are set. Really this is all that NEEDS to be done to your truck.



The stuff I like for cold weather is good quality synthetic lubes in both axles and the transfer case. Regular old 80w-90 sure gets stiff in sub 0 weather. I run 15w-40 dino all year long in the engine and don't have any trouble with it, and it gets darn cold here in WI. If it is an 02 the batteries are good to go and the original charge of coolant is in great shape yet. If you don't have the block heater on the truck get one. You will always be able to start it without the block heater, but it gets darn cold in the cab over the first 5 or 6 miles before the heater has any heat at all. The block heater will cut this to a mile or two. Aside from beeing ready to see your TX fuel ecomony plummet in Montana winters and freezing your flatland butt off you should be covered.

 

[fkovalski]

Dittos on what LSmith said. Makes sense to me that I will go with synthetics as suggested for the cold temp reason. We’ve had single digits already here at 10,000 feet with lows at -20 or worse in mid winter. I have been thinking about a grill cover like the big rigs run. Any input on that idea? Good luck with your trip, Aaron. -fjk

 

[illflem]

Remove your fan when you get here. Mine stays off 10 months out of the year. I have an intake temp gauge, much of the time the intake temps are way too cold, I remove the airbox snorkel and duct tape the fender hole shut so it can only draw underhood air. I've never seen much difference in temps with a winter front except when the outside temps get over 70°, then you overheat. Plenty of cold air flows up from underneath during most of the year. Winter fronts are great for keeping the 1/2'' gravel they use in Montana for road sand out of your radiator though. Most of the vehicles in Montana over 10 years old have bare metal on the leading edges of the hood and cab top from the gravel. Have good comp insurance, expect one windshield a year. Heavy-duty brush guard might keep you from walking if you encounter any four legged friends. Today's high was 18° with an overnight low of

-4°.

 

[Gene Heck]

engine fan

illflem, what size wrench fits the fan hub? Thanks Gene

 

[illflem]

Gene, 1-7/16" but 1-1/2'' will work, the cheaper the better, it needs to be somewhat thin. Use a long drift and large hammer then hit the nut on the right side of the flat good first. It's left hand thread, turn it clockwise to loosen. You may need a large pair of water pump pliers to hold the pulley. Some folks just use an air chisel with a blunt tip to do the whole thing.

 

[SEmerson]

give it a spin with a air chisle. spins right off then

 

[JTroiano]

Would it hurt to run w/o the fan if it was only 40 degree's out? I could just stick it under the rear seat if I needed it.

Jon T

 

[Jack in Alaska]

A high idle setup is really nice in cold weather start ups.



I siliconed a 150 watt blanket heater to my oilpan and hooked it together with the block heater plug. That warms the oil and makes the oil pressure come up just like summer.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Illflem....

... is that "counterclockwise" as you look at it from the front of the vehicle or from the drivers seat?

 

[illflem]

Steve, clockwise looking at it from the front of the truck.

Originally posted by JTroiano

Would it hurt to run w/o the fan if it was only 40 degree's out? I could just stick it under the rear seat if I needed it.

Jon T

I wouldn't run it in temps much over 40° if you are in stop and go traffic. I've run mine fanless all the way up to 80° with no increase in engine temps, but in Montana you don't need to stop much, brakes last a long time here.



I don't know how true it is but I've heard the fan should be stored upright (same position as it is on the engine) or the oil may leak out. Mine laid on it's side once for at least six months before I heard of this, saw no leaked oil and it still worked fine.

 

[Bhooper]

What about the driver

Man as your nieghbor down here in Rockport I gotta say the truck ought to do fine but are you crazy brother, you is gonna freeze your aaaaassssssss off up there. Bring lots of extra socks is all I can tell ya. Everything mention so far sounds good for the truck. . Will that fan come off without pulling the radiataor? I am headed for N. Y. state in a few days, just for a short visit, how quick can you take that fan off? That sounds like the best idea ifin you aint gotto pull that motor to do it. Best of luck in the North Country... ... ... .....

 

[Steve Campbell]

In the intrest of full disclosure....

taking the fan off will necessitate the removal of the A/C relay... or it will get too hot from lack of air circulation while stationary.

 

[illflem]

Re: In the intrest of full disclosure....

Originally posted by Steve Campbell

taking the fan off will necessitate the removal of the A/C relay... or it will get too hot from lack of air circulation while stationary.

You have to remember to turn off the A/C if you're stopped, pull the relay or install an A/C off switch.

Disable Automatic AC When Defrosting Instructions

 

[TXCTD]

Thanks for all the info guys. I figured the truck would do just fine, but I am definitely worried about myself. I have spent a few summers up there, but never a winter. And it doesn't help that I'll be working outside on a ranch. But hey, if others can do it, why not me? Thanks again guys.



illflem, I'll be sure to look you up when I get up there.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Montana in January

Originally posted by aburbach

I will be moving to Montana in January . . .

Personally I think you're totally nuts!



Vaughn



ps: I would change your PS fluid to Valvoline or Royal Purple synthetic

 

[LSMITH]

Ooooh, good catch Vaughn. He might have dropped a large brick the first time he heard the PS pump screaming from a -10 start



Definately do the PS fluid swap. Suck out all you can out of the resivoir with a turkey baster, refill with synthetic. After a couple days driving do it again. I did mine three times and I think I got near 100% changeout.

 

[1tuffram]

Originally posted by aburbach

Thanks for all the info guys. I figured the truck would do just fine, but I am definitely worried about myself. I have spent a few summers up there, but never a winter. And it doesn't help that I'll be working outside on a ranch. But hey, if others can do it, why not me? Thanks again guys.



illflem, I'll be sure to look you up when I get up there.

Where ya moving too? I lived in Butte for a year and Missoula 5yrs before moving to Denver area 2 yrs ago.

 

[WTBurke]

I'll be in Butte for Thanksgiving with my crazy cousins. I block off the fender inlet and I've changed to synthetic in the PS unit. I do have the cold front block off inserts from EricBu in Utah but as illflem states it doesn't help much except imho it improves warm up time just a wee bit. I think I'll try the fan removal as soon as I can modify the "defrost" control aspect.

Cold in Montana? I find the girls to be a lot warmer in Montana



To prevent freezing your beer always keep it in a good ice chest with "no ice" this is very important!



William

 

[FAllen]

Heck, Minnesota isn't cold in January





40F degrees-Californians shiver uncontrollably - Canadians sunbathe.

35F degrees-Italian cars won't start - Canadians drive with the windows down.

20F degrees-Floridians wear coats, gloves, and wool hats - Canadians throw on a T-shirt.

15F degrees-Californians begin to evacuate the state - Canadians go swimming.

Zero degrees-New York landlords finally turn up the heat - Canadians have the last BarBQ before it gets cold.

10F degrees below zero-People in Miami cease to exist - Canadians lick flagpoles.

20F degrees below zero-Californians fly away to Mexico - Canadians throw on a light jacket.

80F degrees below zero-Polar bears begin to evacuate the Arctic - Canada Boy Scouts postpone "Winter Survival" classes until it gets cold enough.

100F degrees below zero-Santa Claus abandons the North Pole - Canadians pull down their ear flaps.

173F degrees below zero-Ethyl alcohol freezes - Canadians get frustrated when they can't thaw their kegs.

297F degrees below zero-Microbial life start to disappear - Canadians pets fear owners with cold hands.

460F degrees below zero-ALL atomic motion stops - Canadians start saying "chilly - - you feeling cold?"

500F degrees below zero-Hell freezes over - Canadians dress for hockey practice !!!