I did a search with not luck or I did not see the answer to my question. So here goes.

My 2004.5 CTD doesn't have an engine block heater. We live in southern NM so the cold is not a problem but we came to OK for T-Giving and it is pretty cold
30 deg or so right now. The truck is currently parked outside and have no place to park it inside. It may get into the high 20's tonight or may at some point while we are here.

My question is: At what point should I worry about the cold/freezing weather?

Thanks for your help.

 

I've had all three of mine in weather down into the low teens start without a problem, and none of them were plugged in. The big thing is to make sure you've got good batteries and if you need to, power cycle the grid heater a couple times. I had to do that with my '03 when I had it and the temps were down to 11 degress.



-Kris

 

Multiple cycling of your preheater is not effective because this theory applies to the glow plugs like Chev and Ford have/had. Yours is a heater in the air intake so all you have to do is hit start as soon as the light goes out. 30ºF or 0ºC is no problem for these engines to start. Mine starts down to -25ºC - only just though!

 

same here, have had mine start (with good batteries) down to -30 celsius . . . so the temps the OP speaks of are of no issue - especially if just for a few days!

haha, put your toque and gloves on, start the truck, let it high idle for a few minutes then get in and go.

as for the multiple cycles of the grid heater - mine starts WAY better when it is stone cold after cycling the grids more than once or twice . . . it fires in a significantly shorter period of time.

 

My cold record is -14 degrees F. with no block heater. You should be fine. The engine will just take a long time to get warm.

 

I would disagree, if cycle them twice the truck will not miss a beat starting. The air will get hotter with a second cycle, also the warm air from the first cycle will move around.

I'm almost sure that the visor on the truck tell you that multiple preheats may be needed(2nd Gen), but same system on 3rd Gen trucks.

 

You engine probably has the block heater but no cord installed. Buy the cord from cummins or genos and save yourself about $40 over "ST"ealer pricing.

Here is a link that will show you where to look for the block heater and how to run the cord:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ck+heater+cord

 

I have an 05 3500 in WI, I have never plugged it in. I cycle the grid heater 2 times if it is really cold and it always starts, even after sitting for a month.

 

Like mentioned above you should have a heater you just might not have the cord. That being said, I never plugged my dodge in and I had no trouble starting in sub-zero conditions with conventional motor oil sitting in the pan. The Common Rail CTD is a great cold weather engine...I am sure I will miss it this year.

 

Although not ideal (no choice), but my truck sat in -27 temps last year. Although it sounded like the the truck was going to fall apart it fired right up. The Ford that was sitting there fired up, but I ended up having to tow him to town because it gelled up. But that was his own fault, he is a farmer and was running non winter fuel.

Like said get a cord from Genos, but in 20 degree weather you will be more than fine.

 

My truck isn't my daily driver and usually sits in an un-heated garage, although my garage stays about 20 degrees above outside temp.

Long story longer, was outside winter on two different occasions. -20 & -22 below F. 5w-40 oil and she fired right up, didn't sound a whole lot different than normal.

 

I just wanted to thank you all for the responses as I will be headed back to OK for X-Mass and I will not worry to much about it.

Merry Christmas to all.