Block Heater Question

[SaToX]

at that temp block heater is mandatory the coolant is close to freezing at that temp. Just noticing your sig, says your in Toronto. Didnt know it was that cold there recently.

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by CDNFocusFan

The temperature gauge is all the way cold and it take 15-20 minutes to reach normal operating temperature.

My suspension is squealing loudly over even small bumps, it's like my tires have dog squeaky toys on them it's insanely loud. I can't identify the squeak's location, but am assuming it's suspension.

Sounds like my car this morning (-4*F). Super squeaky and it didn't get to operating temperature until a mile onto the highway (~3 miles / 10 minutes) - of course, I don't have a block heater.

EDIT: -40*C? Holy Christ. http://www.findlocalweather.com/weat...re_canada.html

[CDNFocusFan]

Originally Posted by SaToX

at that temp block heater is mandatory the coolant is close to freezing at that temp. Just noticing your sig, says your in Toronto. Didnt know it was that cold there recently.

I'm from Toronto but working on a contract up in northern Ontario.

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by CDNFocusFan

I'm from Toronto but working on a contract up in northern Ontario.

At temperatures that low, it sounds like your car would need a 60%/40% or 70%/30% (which I don't even think is recommended) coolant to water ratio. And I'd say screw Ford and get some Mobil1 full synthetic 0W-20.

Also, what temperature does 5W-20 oil freeze at...?

EDIT: Apparently it's called a "pour point" in oil. As it turns to peanut butter and is basically useless.

And I don't even know how well that number relates to "rapid cold starts" - whatever those are... Where are those users that praise AMSOIL when you need them?

[CDNFocusFan]

Originally Posted by PratoN

At temperatures that low, it sounds like your car would need a 60%/40% or 70%/30% (which I don't even think is recommended) coolant to water ratio. And I'd say screw Ford and get some Mobil1 full synthetic 0W-20.

Also, what temperature does oil freeze at...?

I have no clue, I'm going to make sure I get the service guy to document that he said no to a lower viscosity oil. He said since he used Motorcraft 5W20 Semi-Syn it's fine even this cold... I just don't want to void the warranty, I've only got 7000kms on it.

I called the shop, they're looking at it now. Will update you guys. Whoever decided that living at these latitudes was a good idea

[PratoN]

Well, looks like the Motorcraft oil is getting really thick at those temperatures (-42*C). Worst yet, 0W-20 will only buy you a few degrees (-47*C), but not much.

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...0Synthetic.pdf

http://www.uslube.com/SPEC%20SHEETS/...Eng%20Oils.pdf

[CDNFocusFan]

Originally Posted by PratoN

Well, looks like the Motorcraft oil is getting really thick at those temperatures. Worst yet, 0W-20 will only buy you a few degrees, but not much.

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...0Synthetic.pdf

http://www.uslube.com/SPEC%20SHEETS/...Eng%20Oils.pdf

Thanks for looking that up! I was googling with nothing coming up useful. I searched for low temperature additives but nothing looks promising. Still no news from the dealer. I hope they at least managed to get my trunk to stay shut.

I'm not too technical with that stuff, so pour point is the point at which the oil is next to useless? It's around -35c ~ - 39c when I try to start it which is damn close to pour point but not right at it. I'm guessing that I'm losing a lot of protection at those temps and it's not good for the engine. Does it being within spec make a difference?

[CDNFocusFan]

Well here's my result. Apparently my block heater doesn't work and hasn't for awhile if at all. Also my squeaking was a result of a lack of grease in a strut bushing. The explanation wasn't clear.

The local Ford dealer won't get a block heater in until Friday at the earliest, at which point the cold snap is expected to lift.

To be honest with you guys I'm pissed. I've missed quite a few hours of work because my car wouldn't start due to the cold. Today alone I was 2 hours late. Had my block heater been working my car would have started and I wouldn't have had to deal with all this. The car isn't even 9 months old, has 7100km.

Should I be calling ford to complain about all this? It's supposed to be -39 again tonight and I doubt my car will start in the morning.

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by CDNFocusFan

Well here's my result. Apparently my block heater doesn't work and hasn't for awhile if at all. Also my squeaking was a result of a lack of grease in a strut bushing. The explanation wasn't clear.

To be honest with you guys I'm pissed.

Should I be calling ford to complain about all this? It's supposed to be -39 again tonight and I doubt my car will start in the morning.

Sorry about your luck - I don't think complaining will really solve anything, I'm willing to bet that your car won't start tomorrow either. As for the squeaks, I wonder if I should be greasing my strut bearing(s)?

[Deftmetal]

Originally Posted by CDNFocusFan

Well here's my result. Apparently my block heater doesn't work and hasn't for awhile if at all. Also my squeaking was a result of a lack of grease in a strut bushing. The explanation wasn't clear.

The local Ford dealer won't get a block heater in until Friday at the earliest, at which point the cold snap is expected to lift.

To be honest with you guys I'm pissed. I've missed quite a few hours of work because my car wouldn't start due to the cold. Today alone I was 2 hours late. Had my block heater been working my car would have started and I wouldn't have had to deal with all this. The car isn't even 9 months old, has 7100km.

Should I be calling ford to complain about all this? It's supposed to be -39 again tonight and I doubt my car will start in the morning.

I was working on a house and one of the neighbours couldn't get his new f150 to start so be called the dealer and they sent out two mechanics to get it started and take it to get repaired if needed. Demand they send someone to help get it started if you want or ask for a loaner until its fixed. Besides that I don't know if you can do anything