Winter/oil pressure/block heater
10-21-2014, 08:31 PM
#1
Winter/oil pressure/block heater
Winter is approaching and last winter my oil pressure gauge indicated no pressure when it was cold out 45 degrees and below usually. I would like to get a block heater or something to keep it warm. My problem is that I live in an apartment complex and my apartment doesn't allow me to run an extension cord to my truck. Is there a way i could power the heater. Or will this even help my oil pressure issue in the cold. Open to ideas and suggestions. My truck is a 2000 5.4L 4wd.
10-22-2014, 06:31 AM
#2
Senior Member
If you don't have any valve train noise when it shows no oil pressure, I would suspicion the oil pressure sending unit being a little flaky. 45* is not that cold.
10-22-2014, 07:01 AM
#3
Cycle For Fun and Health
My old 2000 5.4 did the same thing. When the outside temp dropped to below 0 degrees, no oil pressure reading. The sending unit was bad.
10-23-2014, 09:12 AM
#4
Senior Member
Pre heating a motor is always good in cold weather but 45 degrees is not cold. I plug my 44 year old F-250 in when it is in the 0 to -20 range. Without 110 volts available, there isn't really any heating system made for your truck. As already mentioned, replace your oil gauge sender but I would also add some "teflon based" additive like ProLong or Tribotech to help protect your bearings on a cold start.This will provide lubrication until the oil pressure comes up.
10-26-2014, 01:42 PM
#5
Junior Member
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What viscosity oil are you using? without being able to plug in, your only real option is either a portable generator (not a good idea in an apartment complex) or an oil more suited to extreme cold. Going to a 0wXX oil is a wise move in your situation.