Starting the EcoDiesel in cold weather

[DieselDude]

any problems with starting the ecodiesel in the cold climates??

 

[Bigfoot]

None reported. It has been tested in Canada and northern states. The fuel filter and DEF are heated in very cold conditions, and a block heater is required for extreme cold (-20F).

 

[RamDiesel4]

Yea the only thing im worried about is the def fluid as other automakers have had problems with that.

 

[DieselDude]

Bigfoot said the def is heated so maybe that will help with this one then.

 

[MaxSteelDave]

SW PA here. Coldest night was -2F this winter. Truck sat for about 12 hours. Started in about 4 seconds. Started plugging in the block heater since then. Much quieter and engine almost completely warmed up within a mile. No problems with the DEF that I know of

 

[BoostN]

Good info Max. So far the cold isn't affecting the #EcoDiesel at all. Although, most modern diesels handle the cold well now. The block heater makes a huge difference. I need to get a timer to kick on about 3 or 4 hours before I leave so it doesn't burn as much electricity.

 

[MaxSteelDave]

I didn't have the heater cord yet on that -2F morning and the noise upon startup prompted me to get the cord right away. I was only plugging it in when it was below 10F but I've moved that up to about 27F. Now I just unplug, get in and start driving

 

[MaxSteelDave]

Was -10F here yesterday morning. Had the heater on a timer for 3 hours before I leave. Started with no delay and quiet.

 

[BoostN]

Was -10F here yesterday morning. Had the heater on a timer for 3 hours before I leave. Started with no delay and quiet.

Same experience.. works well.

 

[codespace]

We have recently had a string of really cold days in southern Ontario. We hit -40C (-40F) with the wind chill about two weeks ago but we've been hovering around -20C to -30C consistently. My ED started every day without a hitch. It was a little noisy when it first started and took a good 25km of highway driving before the oil and coolant got to the high 70s Celsius and stayed there. A week ago, I was on a trip and the Malfunction Indicator Light came on. The next day, the service electronic throttle control warning came on and the truck would max out at 60km/h (3000rpm). I limped the truck to the dealership. They dealt with Chrysler and informed me that this was becoming a common problem with the EDs in the cold as they don't warm up enough. I was advised that the truck MUST be plugged in if the temperature drops below freezing and Chrysler is considering providing winter fronts for the EDs. There is currently a back order of 300 Mopar winter fronts, so that won't be happening soon. I ended up buying the stainless winter inserts for my ED from truckhardware.ca. They are supposed to arrive today.

 

[utdiesel]

Good info codespace . They should include those parts for extreme cold areas if that's a big problem.

 

[codespace]

Thought I'd update the forum on the results of installing the winter covers on the grill. My ED now warms up to normal operating temperature (100 degrees C) within about 20 minutes of starting. The cab finally gets warm and it seems to be running much better.

The winter covers seem to be working well. And look pretty sweet.

 

[BoostN]

@codespace good news. Our colder climate folks will appreciate this information.

 

[Varoum]

Yes!

I do not own the truck. A friend of mine does. I called him for his experiences with his pick up.

He reported just good things. But, in cold weather like -30 Celcius on -22 F and below the stuff you guys put next to the diesel. Well the check engine turns on. He told me NOT to turn the truck off. If you do, it'll NOT start again. Go directly to the dealer to reset the computer, if open...

 

[BoostN]

Yes!

I do not own the truck. A friend of mine does. I called him for his experiences with his pick up.

He reported just good things. But, in cold weather like -30 Celcius on -22 F and below the stuff you guys put next to the diesel. Well the check engine turns on. He told me NOT to turn the truck off. If you do, it'll NOT start again. Go directly to the dealer to reset the computer, if open...

Welcome @Varoum

 

[Varoum]

Thanks BoostN,

At 3mins 15 secs the story about cold weather.

 

[WesMgc]

I was up north last winter -45 on the metric scale after parked for 4 days tried to start it with remote started for a second stopped had to get a boost started right away .
No I didn't plug in too many trucks and trailer in lot.

Lots of cars and trucks had to to towed away that weekend very surprised I didn't have to.

 

[jdn112011]

Only ever test drove the one eco d. We were in a pretty good cold spell it was -20 to -30F the whole week. Dealer remote started it across the lot where it had been sitting for weeks unmoved. No problems. That inspired some confidence.

The issue seems to come from the DEF not being thawed and the truck running regens. It takes a good deal of time for a 7 gallon tank to reach temps over 15 degrees to begin to thaw with only an engine coolant line running through it but still being exposed to external cold.

 

[seiko]

The winter cover supplied by FCA, work great. I have it close all the time. REGEN distance back to normal, almost. In case, it really get cold -30 C, I have been checking out info on Diesel fuel additives, anti-gel, cetane booster, etc. It may not be needed, as the gas stations are adding their own stuff to their pumps, I think. I was going to buy one small container, just in case. Pick up a Canadian price list for Opti-Lub brand.

FYI: Here the price list for Albertans...

 

[Tcat1100]

Same problems here in Maine. Truck has 700 miles and has been at dealer more than at my house( I have owned since 12/29, been at shop 2x now for total of 15 days)! “service electronic throttle control” occurred in temps of -5 to -15 degrees when sitting overnight on 2 different days. Dealership has “no known fix” and says working with RAM to find solution. As of right now,I am being told that in cold weather(below zero?) I NEED to do the following:
1. Plug truck in( they are installing cord it didn’t have)
2. Add fuel additive to every tank($$$)
3. Do not move truck until it reaches 140 degrees
I had Cummins with none of these “requirements” . Brand new truck should not require this much effort!!!!
What next!!!