What kind of cold does the v8 tolerate?

Tachymeter

New Member
So I'm living in a place where the temperature can reach -15 Celsius during the winters. Will the my P6 be able to start when its that cold? I have a manual choke. So far its gotten down to 5 Celsius and its started up fine. I'd like to drive it this winter but if this is a problem I'm going to have to get a back up car. Should I be adding more antifreeze to the radiator, (or change the ratio). Or could I put in an engine block heater if it is too cold? Thank you all any help is appreciated.
 
I wouldn't have thought the engine would have been a problem. Clearly extra antifreeze and an engine block heater will help. Only hazard I would foresee would be the battery - it's none too big for the duty and I could imagine it struggling if it (the battery that is, rather than the engine) got really cold. Perhaps carry a booster pack with you as insurance? Another tip would be to make sure you got any water out of the petrol tank before the bad weather set in. If your fairly confident of the tank contents then just run it dry on reserve, if you think there might be the crud of centuries in there it might be better to drain it.

Chris
 
chrisyork said:
I wouldn't have thought the engine would have been a problem. Clearly extra antifreeze and an engine block heater will help.

if memery serves the Federal 3500S had a block heater as an option in the US and standard in Canada
 
Hi Tachymeter,

I too live in a cold country, where cold starts are known to be the main enemy of the engine internals, taking miles off engine life every time you fire up. There are a few P6's around Norway still, and I've never heard of any not dealing as well with the cold as other cars. In fact, the rear suspension gives the P6 superior traction (!) compared to other RWDs.

The most common winter advice is to definitely use an engine block heater if you have one (I wish I did), change to 'winter' grade motor oil for better viscosity, and maybe a beefier battery that has been tested for cold weather performance. Appropriate anti-freeze mix ratios apply, usually 30-40 pct. With a good battery (mine is 65 amps I believe) safely in place I run the starter for a few seconds before pulling the choke, so that the 1500-2000 rpm full-choke idle doesn't come with clatter. I've not done so myself but with all the adjustability of the P6 in virtually *every* department I would take the fast-idle down a notch on the choke mechanism if you feel it a bit high.

As far as chrisyork's mention of water in the fuel tank, old cars tend to suffer some from condensation forming in the fuel supply pipes/carburettors during warm-up. I add condensation remover (200 ml to a tank) which helps keep my high-mileage V8 sharp in the morning. I think you can also find radiator 'capes' to help speed warm-up, they were fashionable in the 1960s and '70s. Good luck for the season!
 
Hi
RVW started and ran at -15C last week .I agree with all the other advice . I use 50/50 glycol and water anti freeze with the best anti corrosion inhibitors I can find .Aluminum , steel , cast iron and copper can produce fantastic galvanic corrossion .
Don't forget to winterise the windscreen washer fluid . I use a mixture which is good to -40C since it is rapidly diluted when washing salty slush off the screen .
A pint of meths in a tank of fuel will deal with any condensation in the tank . You do not want a frozen fuel line !The only cure , short of abandoning the car until spring ,is to tow the car to a warm garage and wait for it to unfreeze .
Cheers
RVW
 
Does petrol freeze ? I know diesel goes waxy in extreme cold
I don't know how they cope on Ice Road Truckers !! Minus 40degrees ......
 
DaveHerns said:
Does petrol freeze ? I know diesel goes waxy in extreme cold
I don't know how they cope on Ice Road Truckers !! Minus 40degrees ......

Petrol will freeze but only at extreme temperatures, I would think -200C or so.
 
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