Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Elsie72 · 12-01-2006, 01:13 AM

Well, we've had our first bought of cold weather here (-30C), and it's the first winter I've had to drive my truck daily. Mind you, I only go about 5 minutes from my house, park and get on a bus into the city.

Well, the other day on my drive home, I had a 1/2 block stretch where my power brakes quit, then resumed. I thought that was quite interesting. Then the next morning, my thermostat stuck closed. Seemed to work normally on the drive home, and since, too, although I'll be replacing it on the weekend. Thank goodness for block heaters and chinooks, the weather will be nice enough to work in the unheated garage and get that thermostat fixed.

Besides the square tires, and other odds and ends, does anyone else have any quirks that appear when the weather drops down?

**Canadian694x4** · 12-01-2006, 03:25 AM

Well were I work the company trucks speedo's were freezing up or reading inactuately Plant speed limit is 20KPH (most trucks were reading 40 KPH sitting idle

)

al's71gmc · 12-01-2006, 03:39 AM

The diesel in my generator tank has gel'd the last 2 nights( I'm off the grid). We hit about 20-25 (F) below both nights. Need more additives and heat trace!!!
But my truck runs fine in the cold.

panhandler62 · 12-01-2006, 10:01 AM

I had a clutch freeze to the flywheel once.... *that* was amusing

stingray72 · 12-01-2006, 10:03 AM

You guys are making me cold just thinking about it... I had to scrape the frost off the windshield one morning a couple of years ago... It was awful

CPNEJR · 12-01-2006, 10:21 AM

the only problem that we've had here with our plow truck is the controls getting frozen for the plow so we had to tap them with a hammer and use some of that heat stuff thats in a can for frozen locks

67ChevyRedneck · 12-01-2006, 10:26 AM

I've had door locks freeze so bad from freezing rain, then really cold weather that I couldn't get into my truck. I broke a door handle off my toyota truck back in the day trying to get in it when the door was frozen shut (this was after breaking all the ice off around the door!) It was all good, I had a few parts trucks

wedgemon · 12-01-2006, 11:27 AM

Yesterday morning, the coldest since last winter. (A mere 10 degree - You Canucks can stop smirking) I start my truck, which in the 3 years I've had it has NEVER had heating issues. I get a block from home and she's blowing coolant and steam around the block.

Seems during my last underhood, pre-towing inspection 2 weeks ago, I must have replaced the rad cap incorrectly. 'Cause it was gone! But I like the irony of the coldest morning and an overheated truck.

- Dave

krue · 12-01-2006, 11:43 AM

I too had to scrape some frost off my windshield.

That and the aggravation of hunting up a windbreaker to stay warm

bryanw1968 · 12-01-2006, 12:05 PM

It was so cold this morning that not only did I have to turn the defroster on, but I also had to let the truck warm up for several minutes before she'd idle on her own.

Seriously though, one thing I have noticed since going to aluminum heads is that when it's cold outside I am having a hard time getting up to operating temperature. The aluminum is much better at disapating heat.......

wedgemon · 12-01-2006, 12:05 PM

Another funny,

As a kid in Western Pennsylvania, late 60's. My dad had a 68 VW Squareback and had just had re-treads put on the front end. It's mid February and it goes down to about -20º Below that night - Hard freeze. Well he warms it up next morning. Backs ups and sitting in the snow in front of the car is two long strips of tire tread. Froze into the slush and came right off. Dad was so PO'd hew ripped 'em up (with some kicking and cursing) Threw them and me in the car and we rode up to the tire shop on the tire carcasses - that still held air. The mental image of him standing in front of 2 coveralled mechanics shaking tire treads like dead beavers was hilarious.

- Dave

krue · 12-01-2006, 12:10 PM

**Canadian694x4** · 12-01-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedgemon

Another funny,

As a kid in Western Pennsylvania, late 60's. My dad had a 68 VW Squareback and had just had re-treads put on the front end. It's mid February and it goes down to about -20º Below that night - Hard freeze. Well he warms it up next morning. Backs ups and sitting in the snow in front of the car is two long strips of tire tread. Froze into the slush and came right off. Dad was so PO'd hew ripped 'em up (with some kicking and cursing) Threw them and me in the car and we rode up to the tire shop on the tire carcasses - that still held air. The mental image of him standing in front of 2 coveralled mechanics shaking tire treads like dead beavers was hilarious.

- Dave

LMFAO!!!!

Rollie396 · 12-01-2006, 04:22 PM

Well,so far this year my tool box doors love to freeze shut,the roll out on my skid gets so stiff that I can hardly budge it,and some of our equipment has decided it just doesn't want to stay running.....I love winter.
I think the biggest prob so far though is gettin myself up to operating temp in the mornings

Elsie72 · 12-02-2006, 02:32 PM

When I was working up North, we'd do alot of drift busting trying to get our trucks into well sites without having to call in graders all the time. One morning, the guy I was working with couldn't get his truck into Drive, or any forward gears. He drove in Reverse to the car wash a few blocks away, and eventually got enough ice off the undercarrige to drive again.

1969k10stepside · 12-02-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedgemon

Another funny,

As a kid in Western Pennsylvania, late 60's. My dad had a 68 VW Squareback and had just had re-treads put on the front end. It's mid February and it goes down to about -20º Below that night - Hard freeze. Well he warms it up next morning. Backs ups and sitting in the snow in front of the car is two long strips of tire tread. Froze into the slush and came right off. Dad was so PO'd hew ripped 'em up (with some kicking and cursing) Threw them and me in the car and we rode up to the tire shop on the tire carcasses - that still held air. The mental image of him standing in front of 2 coveralled mechanics shaking tire treads like dead beavers was hilarious.

- Dave

**Palf70Step** · 12-02-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedgemon

Another funny,

As a kid in Western Pennsylvania, late 60's. My dad had a 68 VW Squareback and had just had re-treads put on the front end. It's mid February and it goes down to about -20º Below that night - Hard freeze. Well he warms it up next morning. Backs ups and sitting in the snow in front of the car is two long strips of tire tread. Froze into the slush and came right off. Dad was so PO'd hew ripped 'em up (with some kicking and cursing) Threw them and me in the car and we rode up to the tire shop on the tire carcasses - that still held air. The mental image of him standing in front of 2 coveralled mechanics shaking tire treads like dead beavers was hilarious.

- Dave

Gotta love retreads!! Has happened to me and my dad more than once.

Now though I'm like the rest of us down here. The terribleness of scraping a windshield of frost. I'm lucky though I have a carpot and garage...so not much scraping.

They laugh because I still carry my 30 year old snow/ice scraper year round in the truck. Of course when there IDs or credit card breaks from being used as a scraper, I get to laugh.

PanelDeland · 12-02-2006, 07:59 PM

My DD Dodge Dakota has power window issues in the cold.The window goes 2/3 of the way down fine the starts to bind the window between the weather stripping.I need to get another can of silicone lube to spray it with.I also use the silicone on the window tracks in my panel and Mrs.P's Blazer to make the windows easier to wind.

brak · 12-02-2006, 09:56 PM

couple years ago, the steering box on my rx-7 (manual steering) froze solid in the -40 below weather.

that was interesting, i had parked with the wheels turned to the right, and since the parking lot was empty when i got off work. i let it idle and drive in circles for a while my buddy and i stood back laughing.

I'll see if i can find the video

Fastfun · 12-02-2006, 10:21 PM

You guys are making me cold. I picked lemons today and washed my truck.
Stay warm

*rage'nrat638* · 12-02-2006, 11:09 PM

my poor little dog run out into the snow today to do his bussiness and came back inside shivering from the cold and had ice hanging from his little pito
i had to laugh...

GREASEMONKEY72 · 12-03-2006, 04:43 AM

well this is the first winter with my truck and the only thing so far is i had ice on the windshield the other night when i went to leave my buddys house at like 130am and with no scraper and the wipers not taking it off and not wanting to sit forever to get it warm enough to use the defroster i had to ace ventura it home and just took the back roads but it was fun tho even with the cold

-steven

gator2511 · 12-03-2006, 02:15 PM

Got down to 67 degrees last night. So far I'm good!

71/454 · 12-03-2006, 06:25 PM

I work at the airport. Last week it got to minus 30 celcius one evening. We have about ten loaders for taking containers and pallets off airplanes, only one of them would function the rest had frozen hydraulics,makes for a long night. Funny thing is, it gets colder than that sometimes.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 12-03-2006, 08:09 PM

Only thing I have trouble with is getting the choke to work right, otherwise the engine fires up and runs for awhile then starts acting like it's out of gas. Pump the pedal six times and try 'er again and then it stays running. The tranny acts up sometimes till it's warmed up, but a 4spd is going in soon as I get a clutch kit.

12-01-2006, 01:13 AM	#1
Elsie72 Chinook Arch Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: High River, Alberta, Canada Posts: 218	Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather Well, we've had our first bought of cold weather here (-30C), and it's the first winter I've had to drive my truck daily. Mind you, I only go about 5 minutes from my house, park and get on a bus into the city. Well, the other day on my drive home, I had a 1/2 block stretch where my power brakes quit, then resumed. I thought that was quite interesting. Then the next morning, my thermostat stuck closed. Seemed to work normally on the drive home, and since, too, although I'll be replacing it on the weekend. Thank goodness for block heaters and chinooks, the weather will be nice enough to work in the unheated garage and get that thermostat fixed. Besides the square tires, and other odds and ends, does anyone else have any quirks that appear when the weather drops down? __________________ 1972 GMC 1500 Custom - Bought used by Grandpa in '74, currently back on the road after a long hiatus. Elsie's truck 2.5" dual exhaust with Hooker Aero Chambers Holley 670 Street Avenger Edelbrock Performer RPM on GMPP 290HP 350 ECE drop 3.5/5

12-01-2006, 03:25 AM	#2
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,306	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather Well were I work the company trucks speedo's were freezing up or reading inactuately Plant speed limit is 20KPH (most trucks were reading 40 KPH sitting idle ) __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 20 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada! - 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 2 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 13 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 6 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

12-01-2006, 03:39 AM	#3
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather The diesel in my generator tank has gel'd the last 2 nights( I'm off the grid). We hit about 20-25 (F) below both nights. Need more additives and heat trace!!! But my truck runs fine in the cold. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!! Last edited by al's71gmc; 12-01-2006 at 03:41 AM.

12-01-2006, 10:01 AM	#4
panhandler62 Java Mechanic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Martinsburg, WV Posts: 6,764	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather I had a clutch freeze to the flywheel once.... that was amusing __________________ Keith 11 Lincoln MKT -- Momma's wagon 13 G37xS -- middle age crazy car 68 C20 Fleetside -- RIP Decorating the whole town up at a cost of $27 ....

12-01-2006, 10:03 AM	#5
stingray72 Red Headed Step Child Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,216	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather You guys are making me cold just thinking about it... I had to scrape the frost off the windshield one morning a couple of years ago... It was awful __________________ "Dinner, the perfect break between work and drunk" -Homer Simpson

12-01-2006, 10:21 AM	#6
CPNEJR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Franconia,N.H. Posts: 1,029	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather the only problem that we've had here with our plow truck is the controls getting frozen for the plow so we had to tap them with a hammer and use some of that heat stuff thats in a can for frozen locks __________________ (Only) Member of the CPNE Fan Club Aint that the truth 67 C-10 350 with 3-speed tranny and 308 gears swb step 82 Z28 Camaro 355 small block over 350 hp and a borg warner super t-10 (blown engine) 72 Chevy K20 Suburban (future project) 70 Chevy K20 now 68 GMC K2500 2003 Chevy 2500hd ccsb 4X4 (daily driver)

12-01-2006, 10:26 AM	#7
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather I've had door locks freeze so bad from freezing rain, then really cold weather that I couldn't get into my truck. I broke a door handle off my toyota truck back in the day trying to get in it when the door was frozen shut (this was after breaking all the ice off around the door!) It was all good, I had a few parts trucks __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

12-01-2006, 11:27 AM	#8
wedgemon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Spanish Springs, NV Posts: 1,171	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather Yesterday morning, the coldest since last winter. (A mere 10 degree - You Canucks can stop smirking) I start my truck, which in the 3 years I've had it has NEVER had heating issues. I get a block from home and she's blowing coolant and steam around the block. Seems during my last underhood, pre-towing inspection 2 weeks ago, I must have replaced the rad cap incorrectly. 'Cause it was gone! But I like the irony of the coldest morning and an overheated truck. - Dave __________________ 2003 Silverado K1500 Z71 - Arrival Blue 1973 K5 Cheyenne Blazer 350/TH350/NP203 Kids Trucks:92 K1500 Blazer 5.7/700R4 4" lift. RETIRED: 1980 Scottsdale 4x4 Founding Member: "TILT WHEEL BELLY." Club

12-01-2006, 11:43 AM	#9
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather I too had to scrape some frost off my windshield. That and the aggravation of hunting up a windbreaker to stay warm __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

12-01-2006, 12:05 PM	#10
bryanw1968 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Leander, Texas Posts: 850	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather It was so cold this morning that not only did I have to turn the defroster on, but I also had to let the truck warm up for several minutes before she'd idle on her own. Seriously though, one thing I have noticed since going to aluminum heads is that when it's cold outside I am having a hard time getting up to operating temperature. The aluminum is much better at disapating heat.......

12-01-2006, 12:10 PM	#12
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

12-01-2006, 04:22 PM	#14
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather Well,so far this year my tool box doors love to freeze shut,the roll out on my skid gets so stiff that I can hardly budge it,and some of our equipment has decided it just doesn't want to stay running.....I love winter. I think the biggest prob so far though is gettin myself up to operating temp in the mornings __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

12-02-2006, 02:32 PM	#15
Elsie72 Chinook Arch Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: High River, Alberta, Canada Posts: 218	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather When I was working up North, we'd do alot of drift busting trying to get our trucks into well sites without having to call in graders all the time. One morning, the guy I was working with couldn't get his truck into Drive, or any forward gears. He drove in Reverse to the car wash a few blocks away, and eventually got enough ice off the undercarrige to drive again. __________________ 1972 GMC 1500 Custom - Bought used by Grandpa in '74, currently back on the road after a long hiatus. Elsie's truck 2.5" dual exhaust with Hooker Aero Chambers Holley 670 Street Avenger Edelbrock Performer RPM on GMPP 290HP 350 ECE drop 3.5/5

12-02-2006, 07:59 PM	#18
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather My DD Dodge Dakota has power window issues in the cold.The window goes 2/3 of the way down fine the starts to bind the window between the weather stripping.I need to get another can of silicone lube to spray it with.I also use the silicone on the window tracks in my panel and Mrs.P's Blazer to make the windows easier to wind. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

12-02-2006, 09:56 PM	#19
brak Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MinneSNOWta Posts: 1,381	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather couple years ago, the steering box on my rx-7 (manual steering) froze solid in the -40 below weather. that was interesting, i had parked with the wheels turned to the right, and since the parking lot was empty when i got off work. i let it idle and drive in circles for a while my buddy and i stood back laughing. I'll see if i can find the video __________________ 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 WT 1995 Nissan Hardbody 2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo DC2 (SW/AW) Clyde W. Harvey USN "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery" Winston Churchill



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12-02-2006, 10:21 PM	#20
Fastfun Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 615	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather You guys are making me cold. I picked lemons today and washed my truck. Stay warm

12-02-2006, 11:09 PM	#21
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather my poor little dog run out into the snow today to do his bussiness and came back inside shivering from the cold and had ice hanging from his little pito i had to laugh...

12-03-2006, 04:43 AM	#22
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather well this is the first winter with my truck and the only thing so far is i had ice on the windshield the other night when i went to leave my buddys house at like 130am and with no scraper and the wipers not taking it off and not wanting to sit forever to get it warm enough to use the defroster i had to ace ventura it home and just took the back roads but it was fun tho even with the cold -steven __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME Last edited by GREASEMONKEY72; 12-03-2006 at 04:52 AM.

12-03-2006, 02:15 PM	#23
gator2511 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: tampa florida Posts: 776	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather Got down to 67 degrees last night. So far I'm good!

12-03-2006, 06:25 PM	#24
71/454 Turbo Guy Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 353	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather I work at the airport. Last week it got to minus 30 celcius one evening. We have about ten loaders for taking containers and pallets off airplanes, only one of them would function the rest had frozen hydraulics,makes for a long night. Funny thing is, it gets colder than that sometimes. __________________ 1972 Gmc Custom swb intercooled twin turbo 327 10.5-1 and 12 lbs of boost, Nodular iron case super t-10 4 speed with a blowproof bellhousing, 12 bolt eaton posi soon to have moser axles. 1998 Honda CR250 fully ported, case matched, milled head, vortexed carb and revalved suspension but don't forget the woody woodpecker decal kit! Things I've broken so far: 12 bolt diff saginaw 4 spd many, many pieces Aluminum case Super t-10 4 spd

12-03-2006, 08:09 PM	#25
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	Re: Crazy Things That Happen in Cold Weather Only thing I have trouble with is getting the choke to work right, otherwise the engine fires up and runs for awhile then starts acting like it's out of gas. Pump the pedal six times and try 'er again and then it stays running. The tranny acts up sometimes till it's warmed up, but a 4spd is going in soon as I get a clutch kit. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

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