Thought I needed a block heater

[boylanag]

Last Winter, we bought our 2005 F250 in Texas and eventually towed our Montana home to Michigan. We don't use it much when not towing and the last time I had it out was about December 1. Tried starting it this Tuesday in the middle of our cold snap and ran battery down trying. Called Good Sam ERS and got a jump and got it going. I thought that it needed a block heater for this Texas truck in Michigan. Drove it about 10 miles to a diesel repair shop to get a block heater and was called today and advised that there was a lot of sand throughout the system. This was what was retarding the starts. Now we are trying to get the insurance company to get adjuster to the shop on time so that we will be able to leave on time. I will get a block heater installed, too, and also a locking fuel cap. The shop closes for the holidays on the 23rd but we are still hoping to be heading for Florida on Jan 3.