Hey Gang,

So this morning it was 25 degrees outside; the truck was covered in frost and it was just damned cold outside. So I went out to start the truck to get her warmed up. Put the defroster on, put the fan on high, and cranked the heat **** all the way to hot. Went back inside for about 6-7 minutes.

I came back out and I found what I can only describe as a narrow triangle of moisture under the center of the truck. The triangle 'top' was oriented towards the back of the truck and the wider 'bottom' was oriented to the front of the truck.

I could not discern anything dripping; my assumption was there is some part in the middle of the truck that was warming up and causing the blacktop pavement directly underneath to also warm and condense the moisture resulting in the moisture mark. I won't even call it a puddle because there was no pooled water.

Am I on track here?

 

your catalytic converter would get pretty hot. same with the exhaust. i wouldn't worry about it.

 

Hadn't considered that. First real truck I've ever owned so most everything is a learning experience. Thanks.

 

I'd be more worried about starting a cold truck and then blasting all the accessories..I just start my truck and let it warm up on its own. No accessories at all. When I get in then the engine is warm and will put out warm air from the get go. JMHO.

 

Put every accessory you want on, it's not gonna hurt the truck.

 

I hadn't considered running the fan a detriment in cold weather. I suppose it is ... I always keep the radio and stuff off when its cold. More for the speakers though than the radio.

 

Using the defroster activates your AC condenser...water drips...better to let your truck warm up before you put your heat of full...has to build heat and putting the heater on full will make it take longer.

 

I had completely forgotten about the defroster/AC condenser link. I thought it wasn't good to run the AC condenser when it was really cold outside?

Never had to consider this as my other vehicles always fit in the garage !

 

I've read that the some other makes lock out their AC condensers below a certain temperature threshold; usually 40 degrees. I can't imagine Ford would let their compressors engage without such built in protection. It's not hard to see why some folks in Texas wouldn't know or even consider this.

Normally you can hear the compressor turn on when the AC engages - I can't remember hearing that happen this AM.

 

The drip is from the exhaust ... muffler in particular. It has a hole in the outer cover that allows moisture (from accumulated condensation) to drain/weep during warm-up.
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