can you push start a cummins

[J&LRam]

been over at rv.net talking diesel versus gas and a 8. 1 gm guy says you can't push start a diesel. Anyone tried ? To much compression and just slide wheels ? ... ..... Thanks. . JIM

 

[Bob4x4]

Choose the correct gear for conditions It can be done

 

[David Oxland]

I started mine rolling down a hill recently.

 

[jrobinson2]

Diesel engines pull start fine, I would try 3rd gear first. I have pull started many different types of large trucks, pickups, tractors etc. and in my experience the diesels require a higher gear to turn the engine but they start as easy if not easier than a gasser.

Jared

 

[Joe G.]

Gotta be careful about what gear it's in. My brother-in-law tried to start an old Cat coasting it down a hill. He ended up on the hood.

 

[gregdoerfler]

i had to drift start mine a month ago used 4th and still had tires slip a little before it fired.

 

[JHerrlich]

Yup, it can be done. I was sore for three days... I had to do it by myself. It actually starts better than gassers...

 

[Grunt]

Seen dump trucks started by coasting that ran backwards. . if I can recall right, they were in a higher forward gear and were coasting backwards. They had all kinds of reverse gears but only one forward, until shutting off and restarting

 

[Doubleclutch]

Oh, yeah.

Readers Digest Condensed version- Buddy was in the Army reserves back in the late 60s driving a tank hauling semi. No key, just a mechanical fuel cable... run- in, off- out. Parked on the street in front of Dennys one night for coffee and pushed fuel cable back in after engine stopped. One of his convoy buddies bumped the truck from behind... . It started but was in a low gear and was caught before it got away.

Greg

 

[QRTRHRS]

Years ago, the company I worked for had a bunch of R models with the 250 engine (six). One cold day, most of the engines would not even turn over because they were so stiff. They took one that was running and pulled one that was not. Let the clutch out and promptly blew it.

 

[J&LRam]

-------thanks everyone. Back in 40's--50's , it was the norm that we parked on a high spot and get a roll start usually because either a bad battery or starter... ... ... ... thanks again... ..... JIM

 

[CFast]

I'm just surprised a GM guy knew anything about a diesel, even if he was WRONG.

 

[MLee]

push start

And yes they do RUN back wards. When this happens it usually will fill the cab full of SMOKE. the big-over-the road trucks have an emergency shut down cable in them, lest they use-to. One of the guys i used to work with had it happen to him, HE about craped his pants.

just my penny's worth

Marv.

 

[kentdiesel]

I been at Truck Stops that had a Push Truck just for push starting a diesel truck. They had huge front grille guard that would fit against the trailer. After rolling just a few feet the big diesel would fire up.



A two cycle Detroit would run backwards if it kicked back while shutting it down and you let off the kill button at the right moment, this was a very seldom occurance. Looked funny to have smoke coming out the frontal air intake on a cabover. Only seen this on a 8V71 , the famous 318hp Detroit.



Kent