6.4L erratic idle when super cold.

sylvanlaker · Jan 20, 2011

Hey guys, I'm having a problem with my 08' SD 350. when it is super cold -25 or colder or when it is -15 or colder and it is not plugged in the idle hunts. When I fire it up it the idle drops rapidly and then just like someone stomped on the gas for a second it aggressively revs up to 1500 RPM and then repeats itself until it is warm. If you drive it for a minute and park it goes away. it only does it when it is cold and first fired up. I have warranty but it is hard to get it to do it. Also I have swapped exhaust and don't want to take it in. Oh and it did it before i changed the exhaust..

Dave thx..

02Oilburner · Jan 20, 2011

Maybe plug it in. That is cold as $#@&!!!

WD40 · Jan 20, 2011

What kind and wt of oil are you running in your truck. If there is any way you could leave it plugged in all night or day before you drive it, it would be better.
(it aggressively revs up to 1500 RPM) It's supposed to do that.

Doug

jimmy28303 · Feb 1, 2011

Hey, I was having the same problem up here in Alaska. I have a 2010 and sometimes it would say "Engine warming up, Wait to Drive" on the display. Once that went away I would just gently press the gas and then let off and it would purr like a kitten.

F350DRW1 · Feb 5, 2011

Hope your running 5w-40 or 5w-30 synthetic in that truck. Dino oil is gonna be like glue at that temp. At -30 I would run synthetic, block heater, and oil pan heater. I use an extension running off an appliance timer and give it 5 hours before start-up. And thats at 10-20 degrees ABOVE zero.

sylvanlaker · Feb 7, 2011

OK thx guys, maybe it is normal, seems weird though, I should plug it in. but sometimes I can't out in the backcountry. I have whatever the Ford dealer put in for oil. Only had the truck since December. next change will be synthetic..

DaveBen · Feb 7, 2011

Synthetic oil will make a great improvement in cold weather starting. No more romps. It made an immediate improvement in my truck. And it does not get really cold here.

Dave

6.4L erratic idle when super cold.

sylvanlaker

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02Oilburner

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WD40

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jimmy28303

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F350DRW1

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sylvanlaker

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DaveBen

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