Diesal vs gas

[zr600]

I'm looking at buying a new truck and am considering an 09 duramax since they have 0 % finacing. If you go to cooke city and can't plug it in what do you do to get it started? Do you carry generator and fire it up the last day to plug it in so it will start? If it is below zero and been sitting four a few days would it actually start? Or do you need to carry the generator?

 

[Coxy]

Any of the diesels after the mid 90's start just fine in the cold without being plugged in, baring any mechanical issues of course (a few exceptions obviously). Use an additive in your fuel obviously, but you dont even have to stress about it. Fuel milage on the new trucks with DPF and extra emissions goodies are a bit rough, but theres ways to make them better. My six leaker ford flashes right up with the few days we have had at -30C not plugged in.

 

[780mod]

my 09 dmax fires right up at -30deg celsius unplugged for days no problem doesnt even knock or bang like my old mans 02 dmax. my 6 litre gas 07.5 wouldnt start after sitting for 5 days in the cold unplugged but i was more happy with my gas then my diesel bad fuel millage and poor pulling power r my complaints but it might just be mine others r super happy with them

 

[ace44]

Not sure about the duramax, but my new superduty started right up at -21F. I asked the same question a few months ago before I bought one. Most everyone told me that it wasn't a big issue and so far it hasn't been. The dealer and owners manual told me that they don't recommend plugging them in until it is -10F. I am real happy with my decision to buy the diesel, the pulling of my enclosed trailer is now such a breeze.

 

[zr600]

Well i just picked a friend up that left his truck at the airport for 5 days 05 6.0 powerstroke and it wouldn't start not plugged in. He had the correct fuel cause it wasn't jelled, we tried jumping it and we had to let the other truck jumpy it charge the batterys about an hour and it finally took off. The other truck was an 08 6.4 so we had jumper cables hooked to both batteries. I just want to know what people do. Would hate to be stuck in pilot creek with a no starting deisel. I know to run the proper additives and stuff just worried about it not being plugged in and not run for days.

 

[08 D7]

i have an 02 dodge cummins and it was -36 to -40 C and my truck started, glow plugged it a couple times and it fired up. We have a couple ford diesels at work and one fires up at -26 C but the other one wont start a -10 C.....

 

[joshkoltes]

3rd gear

i know i dont like being in 3rd gear all day trying to keep 65 mph in my gasser. i need a desil for sure.

 

[PGTDragon]

Newer D-Max will fire right up with no problems, the only thing I did not like about mine was the DPF and emissions junk, my 05 D-max got about 4 mpg better in town than the 08 but the 08 was a dually, but no problems with cold start at all.

 

[zr600]

THis will be an 05-07 classic duramax. I dont' want to have a 600 plus dollar truck payment, thats almost what my house payment is. To much money for these brand new trucks.

 

[cowboymann02]

If your decide to buy a diesel, make the dealer put to new batteries in it for you and also have the glow plug relay checked, my relay went out in my ford 7.3ltr and i started all winter (slow) and i just had to replace both battieries and found out my glow plug relay was bad the whole winter before. just my opinion. cant beat a diesel, plus you can buy aftermarket parts to make they haul *** and cargo. mines been intaked/exhaust programmer and best thing ever (banks big waste gate) makes about 35 pound of boost to motor. got to love it. 330+ hp and 700 torque while getting 15 mpg mininum in town.

 

[PGTDragon]

My 05 was the best D-max that I had. Better fuel mileage, plenty of power and no dpf junk, it also started well in very cold temps. Good trucks

 

[AndrettiDog]

THis will be an 05-07 classic duramax. I dont' want to have a 600 plus dollar truck payment, thats almost what my house payment is. To much money for these brand new trucks.

I'm confused...you said early on that you wanted an 09 Duramax because of the no interest?

Anyway, I recently bought a low mileage 06 LBZ Duramax. It's a great truck and I haven't had a problem starting yet. I did plug it in when we started seeing below zero temps. Keep in mind you are in that sh1t cold state and you will see some cold temps.

I agree with the cost of a new truck. I could have gotten a new truck at about $100 more than the payment I have. But I didn't want to be sitting on a $50K truck. Instead I'm on a $32K truck. Also, I didn't want the DPF on the new trucks. You will see worse fuel mileage and other issues related to the DPF. You can remove it, but you can be fined and if you live in the city, you won't pass emissions.

 

[Fearless Catman]

I have a 03 Duramax and have had no trouble starting mine at Pilot Creek during those extreme cold spells there the last several winters. The biggest thing is making sure you have very good batteries. I just replaced my factory batteries with new ones this week and don't anticpate any problems on my upcoming trips there. Also as mentioned, having the right fuel mix before parking truck for a few days is important. Lastly, swap your fuel filters before heading to the mountains when you know it will be extremely cold. Be sure to have a couple spare filters on hand as well. Thankfully, I never had any issues whatsoever in all my years hitting the mountains. Good luck.

 

[780mod]

i have an 02 dodge cummins and it was -36 to -40 C and my truck started, glow plugged it a couple times and it fired up. We have a couple ford diesels at work and one fires up at -26 C but the other one wont start a -10 C.....

Cummins dont have glow plugs only air heater and fuel heater just to clarify

 

[zr600]

Well after caculating my payment options and reading on duramax forums this after noon i decided between the cost and the worst mileage i would rather buy a LBZ.

 

[ndmtnsledder]

Another vote for good batteries most of the batteries from the factory are junk and way to small for the application. Run additive and plug in if you can but if you can't oh well. Try and park it out of the wind that helps quite a bit.

 

[gibsonman]

With fuel additives installed fuel gelling is not much of an issue. Cranking rpm however is an issue.
I have an 06 dmax And the only problems starting I have had were with low batteries. IMO you would be better off getting an lbz or lly engine to get away from the dpf and other associated B.S. Better fuel economy and more reliable.
If you tow alot diesel is the only way to go

 

[flyguy_17]

Another positive vote here for the diesels! I had a 2003 Duramax and now have a 2007 LMM D-Max. They have both been awesome trucks. Never had a cold starting issue with either one. Just last week I had my 07 parked outside for a few days in -10 to -15 degree F and it started easily without being plugged in. Just cycled the glow plugs a couple times. I am running EFILive to get rid of the emmissions crap and to add power. Running a 60HP tune with a 12" lift and 37" tires I can still get 20+ MPG running 65MPH. I get about 16 running 80MPH. And if you wanna pull anything, diesel is the only way to go!

 

[Transporter]

Let them run my 6.0 has been running for 4 days, -40 here plus a wind.Can someone post a link to testing the glow plug relay on a 7.3L ford.

 

[fuzzydog]

starting a diesel in the extreme cold is simply a matter of having everything in good shape, regardless of the age. With good batteries, and good glow plugs or screen, there is no reason a diesel won't start. Mine is 91 7.3 IDI and starts right up every time regardless of being plugged in or not. My batts were getting old and 3 glow plugs weren't up to snuff and I really noticed the extra crank time. With the new batts and all good plugs it fires right up on the first crank.

Now, go waaaay back - someone I know has an ancient Mercedes big truck with no pre-heat system. At any temps below1 celsius they have to hold a burning newspaper in front of the air intake to get it going.