How long to warm up - Montana Owners Club

herewegotogether · 05-09-2010, 03:35 PM

We have the 2005 King Ranch with the 6.0. How long should it warm up before driving, the temps are in the high 30;s to low 40;s in the AM. As this is our first diesel and not sure what to expect. When it is first started at these temps it rattles and is quite loud compared to when it is warmed up, also I tried to drive a couple of minutes after starting (More like a minute) and have very little power and the poor guy behind me I think I gassed him out with diesel exhaust. Since that day I have been warming up for 5 minutes before driving. Other than the longer warm up this trucks has plenty of power.
Is this normal or should I get it looked at?
Also the fuel milage not pulling is between 14 and 17 depending on highway speed and wind. The gearing is the 4:10's anf 4 wheel drive, CC DRW Long bed.

Thanks for your expertice.

Bill

grampachet · 05-09-2010, 04:15 PM

I have the 2004 V-10 gas, for me it is zero time but drive easy for a couple of miles.

steves · 05-09-2010, 05:19 PM

No actual warm up required,except in the coldest of temps.My 6.0 does not ever generate any smoke conditions...you may want to get it checked out.

PapaBeav · 05-09-2010, 05:36 PM

I am never really concerned about the warm up time as long as I take off slowly and don't over rev the engine until it does warm up.

Clyde n Deb · 05-10-2010, 07:08 AM

If you're low on power when starting out, your engine is telling you it's not where it wants to be yet. At a minimum I like to have the oil circulated throughtout the engine for a minute or two before I start out. The extra smoke is the fuel management system running in a cold enrichment mode much like a choke works on a carbureted vehicle.

CmdrDewey · 05-10-2010, 09:01 AM

I agree with Steve and you are spot on on the mileage

GregN · 05-10-2010, 10:12 AM

I always let mine run for a couple of minutes on a cold start. This allows the oil pressure to build. As on my truck the oil comes from the drivers side of the engine and works it way around to the passenger side.

BB_TX · 05-10-2010, 10:39 AM

I had an '04 F250 6.0 and now an '07 F350 6.0. Even with temps in the teens, I start mine up, idle out the 100' driveway, onto the farm-to-market road, and start driving around 45-50 to the highway about 2 miles away. Then it is highway speeds. Never let it just idle to warm up. Never any smoke. Never any problems with power.
I do get 19-20 highway not towing, but I have 3.73 SRW.

Slufoot733 · 05-10-2010, 10:49 AM

In cold temperatures, warming up a diesel engine for a minute or two is a good idea. As mentioned above, it allows the oil to circulate which is always important. Another reason is that the turbo will not spool up without hot exhaust gases. The engine will hardly move without the turbo spinning. When it's real cold outside it will take a couple minutes to get the exhaust warm enough to turn the turbo. It only takes a couple minutes, you won't be sorry.

herewegotogether · 05-10-2010, 01:28 PM

Thank you for all of your replies. It makes sense that you need to warm up some in cold temperatures. My Dad was in heavy construction and after reading the replies I remembered that the oilers would start those big diesels 15-20 minutes before the operators could start working them.

richfaa · 05-10-2010, 02:40 PM

Old habit I guess but we always let the diesel idle for a few minutes. Longer if colder and we do not drive it hard for @ 15 mins. When I was driving the busses the diesel guys told me to always let the diesel warm up before driving..

footloose · 05-10-2010, 03:11 PM

We don't have a diesel so I probaly don't understand the importance of warm up. I would just plead that those of you that need to warm up don't warm up for 20 minutes before leaving at 5:30 in the morning. Pretty please???
Sharon

Bill-N-Donna · 05-10-2010, 03:25 PM

I also have the 6.o and I certainly understand what you are talking about trying to take off too quick and not having any power. In colder weather I’ve found that it runs much better to allow it to warm up before trying to go anywhere. IMHO, ten minutes is probably sufficient time for warm up. I like to see the temp gage indicate its getting warm before I take off.
Once its warmed up it’s a lean mean machine and yes they are loud and clunky on start up. My dealer emphasized that was normal and also to use the proper oil and keep it changed.

TLightning · 05-10-2010, 03:54 PM

My diesel guru says no warm up sitting still in the driveway is necessary or good for the vehicle. Drive it slowly...the oil will warm up just as well while moving as it will sitting still. Plus, all components (drive train, etc) will get warmed up, not just the engine.

blarkman · 05-10-2010, 06:14 PM

I just followed the instructions in the owners manual, start it up and check the gauges and off we go. No heavy throttle

junglejim · 05-11-2010, 01:42 AM

I also have a 6.o and these engines are very finicky. Ford has told me and I have also read elsewhere that these engines do not like to idle and will what they call wet stack. They informed me to just start and drive. In colder temps go easy on the throttle till you see your temps warming up. These newer diesels are not like the old ones that you could idle for days and not hurt them. As far as some smoke and power loss on cold startup, take it to a respectable dealer that has some techs that know something about these 6.0s(not all do).

Delaine and Lindy · 05-11-2010, 03:29 AM

I'm no expert but I do run a diesel engine longer that a Gas engine. Extended idle just uses more Diesel, I do have a high idle
system. Diesel engines alway perform best after the engine is at operating temp. Todays Diesel engines have more oil capacity, and 15/40 Rotella takes a little longer to warm up, my freightliner has 7 gallons of oil to warm up. When the temp gauge is at operating temp its ready to roll. Others have different opinions. However the modern Diesel does warm up faster than the older generations. GBY....

ols1932 · 05-11-2010, 07:31 AM

With my '95 PowerStroke, I only let the engine idle until the oil pressure comes up and then I take off.

Orv

Johnnyg · 05-11-2010, 12:17 PM

In off road mining equipment we install prelube systems that force oil throughout the engine to mininize cold hard starts. So I would say it's always best to let the engine (diesel or gas) to run at idle for a couple of minutes to allow oil to circulate throughout the engine.
Shutdown is equally important. Let the engine idle for a couple of minutes to allow the turbos to slow down while being lubricated.

gregdan24 · 05-11-2010, 02:23 PM

Like others said - idling for extended periods causes "wet stack" and is not good for the motor. Smoke when cold is normal in my mind. The IAC, EBPV, and high idle programming is intended to reduce smoke under low air, oil, and engine temps. I start mine, drive it, and just take it easy until it sounds like it's ready to rumble.

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