6.0 at 49 below (below zero that is) How much radiator can I cover?

[Junkers88]

Just got back from our wedding in Key West Florida and landed in -49 degree temps with the wind chill. The truck sat overnight at Ford after some repair work was done and even plugged in it was a slow start. No smoke and no miss though so I'm happy.

This morning it was -53 with the wind chill and I went outside to check the fluids etc and noticed a small puddle about the size of a .50$ piece under the truck. After some looking it seems that the block heater kept the truck warm enough that the system pressurized and a small leak developed at one of my coolant filter connections, no worries it was an easy fix.

That all brings me to my question. How much of the gill surface can I cover and not jack something up. I've got the feeling I've asked this before but can't remember it it was here or on my Toyota forums with the 4runner. Last night on the way home the ECT would hit 194, the t-stat would open, I'd get hot air out of the vents, then the cold coolant in the radiator would hit the t-stat, t-stat closes, ECT drops to 178 and I get no more heat. Very cold 1.5hr drive home.

This morning I cut a thick piece of card board and covered everything except the two vertical openings in the grill. Will that still provide enough air flow to keep from frying anything? I usually start the truck from inside and let it warm up for about .5hr before going outside and I can't see it from the apartment. If I can leave it then I'll paint it black tomorrow so it doesn't look quite so hideous.


Thanks folks!

[dannyboy950]

Thats hard to answer I am not used to that kind of temps. Lol we seldom see below freezeing. On our class 8's that do stationay work I have covered no more than 3/4 of the radiator service area. Not shure what to recomend for you. Geeze 53 below is hard to comprehend, I just put on a jacket just thinking about it. LOL

You need to leave some air flow I just have no idea how much to keep from going critical.

Wow I just walked out in the shop and grabbed a jug of Zerex's version of ELC coolant 50/50 and it isn't even rated below -35 on its chart.

[Junkers88]

Port Arthur Texas huh? Yeah I was born and raised in Seguin and spent many an hour down at the beach near you in my youth, wish I was there now.

You saying that the ELC 50/50 isn't rated below -35 has got me to wondering what the lower limit is on the Rotella ELC 50/50 that I have in there. Time for some research! Thanks for the heads up dannyboy!

[Ford06]

Wind chills don't count for equipment. Only living things. The wind will cool the piece of equipment faster, but it won't take it below the ambient temp. What did the thermometer say?

[Junkers88]

Originally Posted by Ford06

Wind chills don't count for equipment. Only living things. The wind will cool the piece of equipment faster, but it won't take it below the ambient temp. What did the thermometer say?

Ambient temp was 24 below yesterday and hovering around the same today.

[MC5C]

I cover off the rad completely and see what the temps got to, If it's too hot, open it up a bit.

Brian

[IDIABUSE]

The intercooler alone will cool the engine with the rad blocked. -53F dang! hope some top notch lubricant is inside that engine! better keep it plugged in for sure!


Javier

[BigDogOil]

You can cover the whole rad up, it won't hurt anything as long as you watch the ECT's. I cover mine right in once it gets to -35*C and have never had a issue yet. I remove the plastic piece that is under the hood and slip the cardboard in that way, it doesn't look as bad that way.
Also if I'm at lower speed's I use my tow/haul to keep the engine warmer when I'm driving.

[Ford06]

Originally Posted by Junkers88

Ambient temp was 24 below yesterday and hovering around the same today.

Yep, that is COLD!!! Yikes! Ready to go back to Key West yet?? What oil are you running?? I can't help you with the radiator cover question.

[drcampbell]

Originally Posted by BigDogOil

You can cover the whole ... as long as you watch the ECT's. ...

In case you're wondering exactly what temperatures to be watching for ...
The same high-ish temperatures that are OK in the summertime are OK year 'round.

If you're not towing, the heater core alone will probably dissipate enough heat to keep coolant temperature down where it needs to be.

Diesel engines pump a lot of excess air through their cylinders when idling or lightly loaded. A great deal of heat is dissipated that way.

Short answer: You can be quite aggressive about buttoning up for the winter.

[Junkers88]

Thanks folks!

Yes I'm ready to go back to Key West, put in four more resume's yesterday just hoping for something to happen.

I'm running 5W-40 Rotella synthetic as of last Saturday and am darn glad I got it changed when I did.


I'll keep the front end covered for the next few months and just keep an eye on the temps. This morning it did warm up a little quicker but since we're still well below zero I didn't expect any huge amount of change.

[indiana lineman]

I didn't see a high idle mod in your sig. Might be something to think about too. Lot's of info if you google it and easy enough to do. We were down to -2 this morning. Kind of a heat wave compared to you.

[Junkers88]

Originally Posted by indiana lineman

I didn't see a high idle mod in your sig. Might be something to think about too. Lot's of info if you google it and easy enough to do. We were down to -2 this morning. Kind of a heat wave compared to you.

Did some reading on it and I don't think it'd work for me. This truck will idle up on it's own after for sitting 90 seconds if the ECT is below 190.

[Ford06]

I can't brag much on my 12 degree start up this morning now can I!!

[2stroked out]

High idle mod, helps wet stacking, faster warm up, helps keep engine temps up for heater. It may not help on wet stacking in your extreme temps, but regular idle at those temps can't be good. 1200 rpm idle and covered radiator might keep your heater warm.