1997 Ford F-250 7.3 Powerstroke -17 F cold start

1997 Ford 7.3 cold start with no block heater at -17 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -40. Cold starting diesels in the cold is hard on them due to the viscosity being so thick with cold oil, and gelled diesel fuel can hurt injectors and fuel pumps. Proof of concept that a 7.3 Powerstroke can start if it has good glow
plugs and injectors.

[@sonnybaxter1113]

You know it’s cold when the snow sounds like styrofoam when you step on it 😂

[@AFoxintheWild]

When I had my 01 7.3 I always plugged it in during winter. It had good glow plugs and it was in top mechanical shape. Even if I forgot to plug it in, I would then plug it in to help it out. Starting an engine is where the majority of wear happens. So i did what i could to lessen the stress. Also, most people rely on the light and turn the key on and off. No need to do that, even after the light goes off the glow plugs are still on. On my 01 they stayed on for 2 min when cold like that. Just watch the battery gauge and you could see the draw.

[@biggus_dickkus]

If it was in good mechanical shape you shouldn't have had to plug it in. And most of the wear on a vehicle comes from driving not starting

[@67FORDTRUCKF250]

That is a damn nice truck

[@damionjones8944]

Need to cycle at least 3 times on the glow plugs, specially when it is that cold. I owned a 1995 7.3 powerstroke and even with new glow plugs took 3 cycles. Also don't turn the starter that long it will damage it. Had 500k on mine when I sold it. Also keep diesel kleen white bottle anti gel in it.

[@biggus_dickkus]

Glow plugs stay on for 2 minutes so you only need 1 cycle and he's not hurting that starter at all

[@davidmcnerney3048]

Synthetic 5w40 and clean winter blended fuel. Ive had the White GP relay for 8 years n havent had a not start in sub teens

[@vincentrobinette1507]

You're waiting WAYYYYY to long to start. You need to crank it immediately after the "glow plug" light goes off, while the glow plugs are at maximum temperature. Glow plugs have very low thermal mass, and cool down almost instantly.

[@Dirtbagdaryn]

These glow plugs stay on for another 2 mins after the light turns off.

[@granularSodacan]

While I appreciate seeing what these bad boys can do when it gets chilly, I sure hope you normally run an oil pan heater and block heater. Tranny and diff heater would be good too. No sense needlessly ratfucking your internals.

[@markhiatt5068]

Good way to fry your starter

[@christanhartley434]

This is why I drive a Chevrolet

[@GamerBoy-ye2op]

Dosent matter and chevys worse its a diesel

[@ГришаКостинян]

Wolcom in Ukraine

[@chrisservic7774]

You know that you just letting it sit after the glow plug light has gone out that you're wasting the heat they just produced right? They are at their hottest point when the light goes out

[@NickMartin75455]

Now that’s a real cold start

[@elevatorman427]

Good to see that it started I feel like -17 without a block heater is asking a bit much

[@dieselwelding431]

Oh yeah it definitely is, I normally plug it in I just left it unplugged for the video.

[@JamesTuller-hw1cp]

Suprized he still has a starter.

[@themechanicman3865]

So my 7.3 powerstroke after I fix my glow plugs and everything else it would start right up in the cold but I would always have the best luck with my 12 valve Cummins in my 97 ram 2500 that 12 valve Cummins will fire up every time

[@salimoneus]

Nice truck! These can definitely start just fine in cold temps if the entire charging/starting system is in tip top shape, especially the batteries. BTW "windchill" has no effect on non-operational inanimate objects, it only affects living things that produce heat, or other machines that create heat. a non-running truck produces no heat so the wind has absolutely no effect. Also, cycle the glow plugs several times before attempting to start, it will allow things to heat up more and make for an easier start. And in the very cold of winter, a fuel additive is an absolute must. Archoil works really well as does several others.

[@biggus_dickkus]

Windchill has an effect on everything guy. If you don't know what you're talking about just don't comment with your ignorance

[@adamwuttemberger7923]

My 95 7.3 would never start at those temps. I have to use ether for temps below 60 . I. Installed New glow plugs and glow plug solenoid, new injector 0 rings and new batteries

[@pjtfinland1794]

This guy must be rich! Maaaaan... Look at the fuel cauge 😮

[@Dirtbagdaryn]

Man quit walking around so much it’s giving me chills listening to that snow

[@StopDropandLOL]

After dealing with these trucks for years, maybe consider putting a small oil pan heater on your truck. Those Bosch HEUI systems require good oil pressure to fire the injectors, and cold oil like that doesn't flow very well, especially if it's thicker (10W30, 15W40) and non synthetic. I had an '02 that was a pain to start and as soon as I put that heater on it, would crank over incredibly quick.

[@dieselwelding431]

Oh yeah I bet that would help thanks for the comment. I normally just use the block heater and it fires up great in the cold. I just left it unplugged for this video.

[@quantumrobin4627]

When the wait to start light goes off, that means the damn glow plugs get cold while you sit there a minute after they cycle, dude seriously

[@dieselwelding431]

The glow plugs on these trucks remain on for over two minutes or more, you can see this as soon as you turn the key. The voltage gauge drops when the glow plug relay solenoid clicks. After the light goes out the glow plugs are still active, the gauge is still lower for several minutes. When I test the engine harness on these trucks, to check for burned pins, I check voltage at each end pin of the valve cover connectors, it will show nearly 12 volts to each glow plugs for several minutes depending on the temperature. The light is just a dummy light and indicates when the glow plugs are hot enough, but rather the longer you let them run, the higher the cylinder temperature, and higher the temperature the easier the cylinder will hit.

[@WymiataczPlays]

Hello there, could I use a fragment of your video for my coldstarting compilation? Of course I will put a link to your original video in the description, increasing the original’s popularity too. Thanks a lot for you answer in advance :)

[@dieselwelding431]

Oh yeah you can, thanks for asking

[@ryanlawrence8305]

I heard you ran 15w-40. I ran 10w30 rotella in winter just a little thinner oil lol

[@tankthehedgehog105]

6:32 It Sounds Like An Old Steam Train That Was A True Cold Start! My 99 F-150 Made A Loud Buzz When It Started Cold (0*)

[@generalartreal7201]

Man where did you get those seats? There nice!

[@dieselwelding431]

Thank you, the truck was from a dealer out of Salt Lake City called Diesel Deals. They often will redo the carpet and seats before they sell the vehicle.

[@livewithnick]

They’re *

[@dbag222]

x2 after seeing those seats I think I’m going to stop looking for super duty seats and just reskin mine. Those turned out amazing.

[@earlstacey2709]

I don't know what the big deal is with people doing these cold start videos?? The 7.3 will generally start without being plugged in as long as the engine is in good shape, glow plugs work and you have good enough batteries. Everyone that lives up north knows this. Block heaters certainly help in the really cold weather but you can get away without them if you have to

[@Adventureoutdoors.]

Those were good diesel trucks

[@exploringtheoutdoors9476]

That’s my dream truck man she sure is cold

[@dieselwelding431]

Thank you, oh yeah it sure was.

[@robinprice4877]

How long does it usually take to start on freezing cold mornings when it is not plugged in? Does it usually take longer when it hasn't been used for several days?

[@dieselwelding431]

It always starts up first glow plug cycle, even when it is slightly below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. They don’t like to start when the fuel is gelled, so get an anti gel, but besides that, if you have good injectors, motorcraft glow plugs, and that whiterogers relay, these engines will start perfectly fine in the winter.

[@Utahtruckguy]

7.3L Manual OBS

[@3rdcoastsmokesmoked227]

That’s exactly what I have

[@JustinKingOffroad]

now that's a cold start!

[@mrsmel269]

nice rig and great cold start looks like our area south dakota. enjoy the rest of the day

[@dieselwelding431]

Thank you!

[@robertdees2150]

Trying to start a diesel that wasn't plugged in in very cold conditions and without any modifications would be like shoveling snow while wearing inadequate clothing, an extremely dangerous thing to do in cold climates.

[@shaneroper5470]

Leave it running all night?

[@ms.annthrope415]

Just keep it plugged in. That's what an engine block heater will do. Keep the engine warm so the oil is warm. Use Howe's or Power Service White bottle. With that level of freeze I'd pour in a bottle of PS red.bottle 911 on the last fill up so it can run through the fuel lines, fuel filter, and injectors before parking it outside overnight.

[@StephenClarke-v1s]

Your Mrs can’t get you started ether so what does that say

[@ericnorteman5341]

This had a stock block heater why the hell wouldnt you plug it in? Also run 10w30 diesel oil it will fire and run better. Works for my 2000 excursion 7.3l

[@braddurham145]

Nice truck have a 99 drw all I know is my 7.3 hates being cold just hates it I always use the block heater I have new glow plugs and injectors as well shit I will plug it in at 40 degrees u get instant heat

[@dieselwelding431]

Oh yeah, they definitely do, I know with the stock Motorcraft Glow Plug Relay, it didn't start nearly as well in the cold as it does now. The block heater is very nice I use it on mine quite a bit.

[@grantmackinnon1307]

6bt cummins be like whats your bro, i dont even need my grid heater. nice truck man. i loves obs fords.

[@dieselwelding431]

Nice that’s cool, thank you.

[@livewithnick]

@@grantmackinnon1307”what’s your bro?” 🤔

[@grantmackinnon1307]

@@livewithnick you's my bro, bro. brotha, brethern. bruh. 👉👈

[@Llllllll151]

Does your truck shake when you start it up

[@dieselwelding431]

When it’s cold, it does shake a decent amount

[@Llllllll151]

@@dieselwelding431 Ok my mom Camaro used to shake when it was hard to start it used to move by itself to

[@BadWolf762]

Mint.

[@RJ1999x]

👌

[@ГришаКостинян]

Helo bro

[@tevinmarchable]

Pluh the damn thing in! I live in Northern BC, temps get to -40°C or colder and my rig fires up.

[@hondaxl250k0]

Try changing the low pressure oil pump. Made mine start way better.

[@rcnelson]

Other than for big trucks and construction equipment, diesels are a pain in the butt. They cost more, they start hard in cold weather, they're noisy and smelly, and have all sorts of DEF and other junk on them.

[@darrellfincher2948]

Plug block in get that heavy oil out, put right weight in it,plug that beast up then she'll fire off guaranteed

[@darrellhorseman4841]

It would have started better with the block heater plugged in

[@sirensofohio5737]

He legit said in the video that he usually plugs it in but he didn't this time for the video

[@brandonsmith4825]

literally why talk?

[@luckyred1818]

Litterly why comment? Same reason genius