-5 and truck dosn't crank fast enough to start

[MTownsend]

Ok this is my first diesel, and I have had no problems with it, I love the truck, and figured out here when the temps get down to -20 to -40 that it problably wouldn't start. Well this morning with a -5 temp i went out to the truck (It's not pluged in) and it went Rrrrrah LOL it dosn't want to think about cranking. So now I know that it needs to be pluged in when every thing else I own is fine to -20 to -30 before they need plugged in.



Ok so here is the question

If it needs plugged in now what happens when it's -40 ( two years ago we had a strech where it was -40 for over a month)



will plugging it in work?



also I use diesel power service (gray bottle) I was told to use this, will this work to keep it from gelling?



thanks

mike

 

[OKish]

its the white bottle that prevents gelling. i would say that you have a low battery, mine started up in -14 not plugged in with no additive.

 

[JLEONARD]

Time for a new battery my friend. No denying it and procrastinating will only prolong your pain. Been there, done that.

Do a good job of cleaning those cables this afternoon when you are installing the new battery. Clean the starter and engine ground too while you're at it.

 

[JLEONARD]

Time for a new battery my friend. No denying it and procrastinating will only prolong your pain. Been there, done that.

Do a good job of cleaning those cables this afternoon when you are installing the new battery. Clean the starter connection and engine ground too while you're at it.

 

[MTownsend]

Ok, I put a new battery in it when I did the convertion, but I didn't check any conections, so I'll do that when it warms up to 20 today. LOL



If that dosn't solve the cranking issue, can you recomend a battery?

 

[Greenleaf]

If that dosn't solve the cranking issue, can you recomend a battery?

Install two (2) Decka model "8D" units (( )) in the bed right behind the cab, in parallel. Keep them centered or the weight of an off set install will cause the truck to list to one side or another :-laf Many of my buses use the "8D" twins. I think they are 1620 CCA,,,,,,,,,, EACH

 

[Jgolden]

Plugging it in does save a lot of wear and tear in any case. (If there is a plug around) Even when all else is in perfect shape.

We had some farm stuff that had battery heater pads as well.

-40 you might want a magnetic attached heater added to the pan, and one on the fuel filter and a seat heater.

-36 the record at my house. When does Global warming get here?

 

[JLEONARD]

I plug in when at home mainly so I can get heat quickly, but it does make it turn over like it's springtime. If the temp is above 15 F the wait to start light doesn't come on.

But you have it much colder than what I get. Coldest here might be -8 and we only see maybe 10 below zero mornings a year. I have had good luck with an Optima red top... going on it's 4th winter.

One might not be enough for you... I've read that 2 optimas will fit in a first gen battery box, so that might be an option for you.

 

[MTownsend]

well it warmed up today, and i got it running, I tightened up and cleaned the conections, and now it's 2 out. so I'll see what happens in the morning

 

[MMeier]

Let us know !! Did you replace the battery?

 

[AlK]

Ok, I put a new battery in it when I did the convertion

Is the new battery a group 31?



My 92 CTD started at minus 29 F after sitting in the bush for 2 days. Cycled the key twice and she fired right up - didn't sound to healthy, but after a minute smoothed out. The battery for these trucks in the colder climates should be rated at least 1000 CCA.

 

[MMiller]

What engine oil are you running? If its going to be cold like this until spring, I'd drop the oil and go to a 10W diesel engine oil. My dad has been known to mix 15w40 and 10w in the winter to get diesels to run.



When it gets below 0*F, I run a cord out to mine, and have a timer that turns on the block heater about 2-3 hrs before I have to head to work. Much under 0 and mine has a hard time starting, and takes for ever to get oil pressure with no block heater.



Michael

 

[cojhl2]

Since you pickup is a 91 the starter probably should be rebuilt. It can be dragging down even though the bats are perfect.



Plugging in is a great saver of engines and pain though, even for a SI engine.

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

I will run a synthetic 10-30 wt oil for winter. Plugging it in at 0* or under will definitely help. Above 0* it shouldn't be necessary but will aid in the motor heating up faster for heat in the cab. May take a few minutes to stop chuggin like a freight train , but should smooth out after a few minutes. Good Battery connections help too.

 

[MTownsend]

well it only got down to 10 last night, and she fired right up this morning. I guess I wolnt really know anything untill i let it sit for a couple days and get to -5. The battery is a group 31 Exide comercial battery with 925cca an 160 rc? The oil I'm running is rotella 15-40