Cold morning startups

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

OK guys, now that a few chilly nights are making their way into the northland, how are your trucks firing up in the morning? Do they turn into the ol' marble can shaker? LOL

Seriously, how well do they light off and how do they sound? Are they very smokey? What do they sound like for the first couple of miles before the temp gauge begins to rise?



Please comment on ambient temps and if you plugged in or not.



Vaughn

 

[DIESELMAN]

I can't speak for real cold, yet, but when it's below 40, and on several mornings now below 29, it starts when the starter bumps it, its quicker than it is above 50F. The heat cycle is a little longer and cycles a bit more frequently than the 'old' truck. Only a slight haze of smoke for 10-15 seconds, then clear. No shaking or hesitation. Not plugged in.



BUT... . until it warms up it sounds Fantastic! I warm up for 5 minutes, then ease on out. The first 5 - 7 miles the old beast within clears its throat and it sounds great. Only the ringing resonance of the block is missing... ...



Then the injection smooths out and its quiet again.

 

[fkovalski]

I’m at 10,000 feet and have been plugging in now for about four weeks. Night time temps are now getting into the teens and single digits. Morning starts are fine. Let her warm up for 5 mins or so while chowing some Wheaties. I pull away from the fence of which I park during the night (during warm up) as to not get fumes recycling into the defrost. During the days, I park facing west as to allow the sun to somewhat keep the engine compartment warm for starting after work. If I forget to plug in at night, I have to cycle a couple of time before starting in the AM. We’ve had snow already and am looking forward to winter- (hunting, camping, skiing…) -fjk

 

[rbattelle]

Is there an automatic high idle for cold weather?

 

[Rosco]

According to my owners manuel the 03' cummins does have a factory high idle setting. If I remember correctly the the manifold air temp must be below 32 degrees, the coolant temp also needs to be at a certain tempature, and the truck needs to be in park or neutral for manuel trannys, and the service brake needs to be off.

 

[Casey Balvert]

It was pretty frosty on Monday morning. I started the truck up to let the windows defrost. About two minutes later it went into high idle. Lasted about maybe ten minutes and returned to normal idle speed. Guess that part works.



Cheers, Casey

 

[proudrammer]

Casey:



When the rig went into high idle... do you recall how high the rpm's went?



Regards



Proudrammer





Arriving any day... '03 quad laraime 4X2 loaded except heated leather

 

[Casey Balvert]

My guess around 1200 but I didn't look. Next time I will check the tach. It was sort of neat to stand near the thing and listen to it speed up. I sure like toys. My wife keeps telling to me to grow up. I keep asking her, WHY???



Casey

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

thanks, but...

fkovalski and CBalvert, thanks for the posts. . . but back to my original question, how do your trucks sound when cranked up in the morning



Vaughn

 

[Casey Balvert]

Re: thanks, but...

Originally posted by Vaughn MacKenzie

fkovalski and CBalvert, thanks for the posts. . . but back to my original question, how do your trucks sound when cranked up in the morning



Vaughn

Like a REAL diesel.



Casey

 

[ddutil]

Casey, I agree with you and my wife agrees with yours. Let's keep on playing with real toys!!! Oo.



This automatic 1200 rpm throttle will be usefull in Montreal and in the Eastern Townships (that's Canadian border with New-England), for sure. Dan