2021 6.7 High Idle

[ttrein]

Still getting to know my "new to me" F250.

Is it normal to have a high idle (1100 or so RPMs) even when the truck is relatively warm? Its cold out, but after driving, turning off for a few to go in to the store, then restarting it stays high at idle, even after idling for a bit. I know that 122 deg is "cool" but I expect the idle to slowly go down. BUT I am used to gas engines.

 

[HeavyAssault]

Still getting to know my "new to me" F250.

Is it normal to have a high idle (1100 or so RPMs) even when the truck is relatively warm? Its cold out, but after driving, turning off for a few to go in to the store, then restarting it stays high at idle, even after idling for a bit. I know that 122 deg is "cool" but I expect the idle to slowly go down. BUT I am used to gas engines.

Bet it's REALLY cold outside....so yea...not really an issue if the temps haven't reached the normal operating range.

 

[The Evil Twin]

I would also venture to say it’s totally normal. Especially since it appears you shut it down for a few minutes when it was only “partly warmed up”. I don’t know Fords algorithm, but common sense would say they are trying to prevent fuel from condensing on the cylinder walls aka “cylinder washing”.

 

[ttrein]

Yeah, it is hovering single digits above and below zero out.

 

[MrFancypants]

Is it trying to regen the DPF?

 

[Explorerinil]

Mine does the same thing. I was in Michigan over the weekend, negative temps at night, 0-5 degrees in the day. The truck sat out unplugged with only anti gell in the tank. Upon start up, high idle kicked in and almost every time I pulled in anywhere and let the truck idle, high idle would kick in. Normal idle resumed once the truck was at normal temp for awhile.

Completely normal cold weather diesel truck stuff.

 

[ttrein]

Is it trying to regen the DPF?

No, thats at 0%

 

[YenkoYS100]

Yeah, it is hovering single digits above and below zero out.

The Ford winter front would help that alot.

 

[PrincetonFox]

So I am in NJ, -3 all nght last night. Truck will not start? Engine cranks but doesn't start? Is it normal for a diesel not to start in cold weather?

 

[StrokinOut]

So I am in NJ, -3 all nght last night. Truck will not start? Engine cranks but doesn't start? Is it normal for a diesel not to start in cold weather?

No, it's never normal for the engine to not start. Possibly a fuel gelling concern?

 

[MrFancypants]

Did you plug in the block heater? Did you fill up with winter diesel and/or use an anti-gel additive?

 

[The Evil Twin]

The Ford winter front would help that alot.View attachment 243164

Oh damn. I forgot about that. What temp does Ford say to install that?
Edit- found it. 10*f or below. Don’t run it above 50*f

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=9071&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=G2338828&ProcUid=G2338829&vFilteringEnabled=True&buildtype=web&div=f

 

[PrincetonFox]

Did you plug in the block heater? Did you fill up with winter diesel and/or use an anti-gel additive?

I do not think I have a block heater and I did not use antigel additives

 

[The Evil Twin]

I do not think I have a block heater and I did not use antigel additives

If you have filled up locally recently, it “shouldn’t” be a gelling issue. Quick way to tell is drain your water separator into a glass jar. If it’s not clear yellow/ green, buy a hazy/ cloudy fluid then it’s reached the cloud point of the fuel.

 

[HeavyAssault]

So I am in NJ, -3 all nght last night. Truck will not start? Engine cranks but doesn't start? Is it normal for a diesel not to start in cold weather?

When was the last time you did start it or drive it for the day??

 

[PrincetonFox]

When was the last time you did start it or drive it for the day??

it sat for 2 days

 

[PrincetonFox]

Did you plug in the block heater? Did you fill up with winter diesel and/or use an anti-gel additive?

So question, can I plug the truck in all night or only a few hours before I need it?

 

[mattagc]

So question, can I plug the truck in all night or only a few hours before I need it?

Depends on who’s paying the power bill. Realistically, the block heater only needs 3hrs or so before you’re planning to leave to be good to go, but outside electricity costs, there’s no real issue with just plugging it in all the time.

In an ideal world, I’m wanting to put a PowerBadger onboard — maybe in the bumper, or along the frame somewhere, and put the block heater into that. Can set the temps I want it to come on at, when you want the truck warm for, program in 2x start times a day, etc. Then it’ll just monitor the temperature and turn on the block heater when needed.

Engine Block Heater Controller | Smart Timer | The Power Badger

The Power Badger was specifically engineered to function in extreme cold, snowy, icy and wet conditions. In recent years the company has been primarily focused on development of our patented device, The Power Badger™.

thepowerbadger.com

 

[HeavyAssault]

So question, can I plug the truck in all night or only a few hours before I need it?

It's your call. I've done it plenty in the past, not going to stop me in the future. I can say it's not going to get "hotter" the longer it's plugged in. I have seen the snow or ice accumulation not be as much on the hood.

 

[The Evil Twin]

So question, can I plug the truck in all night or only a few hours before I need it?

I use a “smart switch” from Meros. It’s set up to turn off after 3 hours once I turn it on. Not as sophisticated as the Badger, but it works. You can also set an on/ off time if you have a normal schedule.
Leaving it on all the time won’t hurt, just not efficient.