cold start experiences with 24v

[adoctor]

I am considering moving up from my 96 12v to a 24v for more power, quad cab etc...



I work at 10,000ft at a ski resort in colorado and need to cold start after sitting for the day. The temperature can be as low as -10f. I have never had a problem with my 96 12valve, but a friends 2000 24valve will not start unless it is plugged in for a few hours. Is there any reason for the 24v to be more difficult to start? or is there something wrong with my friends truck. Both are stock trucks. I do not have the option of plugging my truck in during the day and will not be able to move up to a 24v if they are indeed harder to start in the cold.



Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.





1996 12v, automatic (stock and it stinks), excab, 93k.

 

[Bad340fish]

I had a Gasser Flashback last year when it was about 15* outside and hit the key without waiting for the heaters. The truck fired right up and idled fine it just sounded a little wierd and smoked real bad for a sec. It starts the same with the heaters on minues the wierd noise and smoke . I only plug mine in because its convieniant. The truck starts no different plugged or unplugged.

 

[Lurch]

Mine started fine till -30, fuel jelled, got caught in the cold with straight #2.



Lurch

 

[Bigsaint]

Mine sits at work unplugged for 8. 5 Hrs at a minimum, never had a starting problem last winter, we had a more than a few single digit nights.



Scott W.

 

[K_Arts]

Out of curiosity, what type of oil is he using in his engine?



The reason that I ask this, is because I put Premium Blue 15w40 in the wifes truck, and I noticed the last couple of mornings when it has been cold, that her truck has no problem starting, but the oil pressure gauge is pegged. Once the oil warms up things are back to normal, but her oil sure does thicken up in the cold weather. Geesh I'll be glad when I can put synthetic in it. LOL



I was just wondering if this could be part of his problem. With the altitude and extreme cold climate, he may need to switch to a synthetic oil, or even a thinner oil such as Amsoil's HDD5w30.



Kev

 

[CumminsAholic]

I know it's not good for it, but I needed my truck one day. -40 out and it wasn't plugged in, hopped in, waited for the light and it started. No problem, I'm just glad I had new batteries because it really turnd over hard when it's that cold. They will start when it's cold, at least mine does. Maybe your buddies heater grid isn't working properly or isn't staying on long enough.

Corey

 

[ftb87]

I was wondering if he warmed the grid heaters twice? You should always use some sort of fuel additives in a colder climate.



You shouldn't be afraid to purchase a new 24v. Also, you should take Kevins advice about the oil.



Frank

 

[Snow man]

I've had both the 12 and 24 valve,I feel the 24 starts better than the 12 valve in all conditions,. The only advantage the 12 had to me ,was that it didnt smoke at all when starting,the 24 blows a puff when it fires up. The computer control lets it idle better in the cold,If i set my 12 valve's idle for a nice 750 hot idle,it would only idle at 500 when cold,or stall. The 24v idles at 800 or so,all the time,no matter what. If i were you,Id go for it,just buy a fuel pressure guage,and ear plugs,that 24V is so much noiser than the 12 valve.

 

[redneckdr]

24 valve

Originally posted by Snow man

If i were you,Id go for it,just buy a fuel pressure guage,and ear plugs,that 24V is so much noiser than the 12 valve. [/B]

yeah, ain't it great????love the noise!!! don' send me no ear plugs!!!

 

[Snow man]

I love the noise,but when im trying to sneak out of the driveway at 5am,its loud. My 3 kids wake up,and cry cause they cant go with Daddy in the diesel. Ive learned to back it in,and i push it literally about 10 ft ,then itll roll the rest of the way,I fire it up at the bottom of the driveway.

 

[DHawthorne]

Even in Florida mine blows a little white smoke when its less than

40 and the truck has been sitting for two days. Thats just a cold engine without enough heat in the cylinder to burn all the fuel.

If your worried about it "Plug it in". Keep a 100ft cord under the rear seat and hook it up. Put it on a timer if you need to. Three hours is all you need. Us down here think its cold at 50! I saw alot of Cummins running around with snow plows up north (not plugged in) Its all wants your use to and want you consider cold.



Have a good winter, We will. (Thats if I don't have to go north of I-10)



Dave

 

[CRuD]

Last year at Christmas we went up to Mi. (Alpena) and it was cold -18 and I did not plug in my truck . After sitting for a day I went out and cycled the warmer twice and turned the key, my poor SOUTHERN baby knocked and coughed and sounded terrible and sat there at an idle. When it that cold I plug it in for a couple of hours before starting.

Just my two cents worth.

See Ya

Chris

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

High altitude is the concern

I think adoctor's concern has more to do with elevation than cold temps (or the combination of the two).



A year or two back there was a thread about some 24V having a tough time starting at high elevation (over 8-10,000 feet) in cold weather. I wish I could dig it up but all the old posts seem to be history. Anyway it seems they would crank but not fire, it was more of a computer control problem vs. too cold of temps or thin air that kept them from starting. I don't know if there was a TSB or reflash for this problem. I guess I'm just saying this was discussed before but sorry I don't have any specifics.



I haven't had any problem starting in the cold at 5000 feet, but that is nothing compared to 10000 feet.



Vaughn

 

[HC]

I have never had a problem with my 96 12valve, but a friends 2000 24valve will not start unless it is plugged in for a few hours...

First, I'd check the details on fuel your friend is using. Are you getting it at the same station, and both using (or both NOT using) the exact same fuel additives? Are you both using the same weight oil? If the same fuel, oil, and fuel additives are in use, then maybe your friend should check out the following TSB's:

http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/2000/18-15-00.htm

http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/2001/18-014-01.htm

http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/2001/18-019-01.htm

These all deal with winter-related performance issues, but to be honest, none of these say "won't start". This leads me to believe that your friend has some other problem - a weak battery, or bad cable connections, or weak starter motor. I don't have a lot of cold weather experience with mine yet, but, I've seen very few if any posts on this board complaining about 24V cold-weather starts, so your friend's problem is rare and not typical of the Cummins in either 12V or 24V configurations. I hope he finds the problem.

 

[Partyat33]

Mine sits out all day in chicago weather, never a problem.



Well, except when it was -10 and the truck was at the dealer. The idiot that went to get it did not know about grid heaters and could not start it. Drained the batteries pretty bad trying.



I demanded to see the truck, turned the key, waited for the lights to go off, she cranked right over.



Dennis

 

[SLightfoot]

What I usually do when it gets REALLY cold, and I'm not plugged in, is I cycle the intake heater twice... . that warm air makes a difference on the first few cranks.



When she ain't plugged in though, and you start 'er up in super cold weather, man is she NOISY!!!!

That first 10 minutes, you may as well turn off the radio, cuz there ain't no way you are gonna hear it!



I've never had a problem starting. . although like someone else mentioned, don't get off the ignition when you hear the first fire, keep 'er rolling for a bit longer... don't let off like a gasser.



shawn

 

[redneckdr]

cold starts

this will be my first winter with the goat. it doesn't get very cold here, so probably won't be an issue. the C in the motorhome is very cold natured though. it has a "Dieselmatic" automatic ether injector. needless to say, no grid heaters. last winter it wouldn't fire up a couple of times after sitting for several days--but the lift pump was dying--replaced it this spring. i also think that the dieselmatic was out of ether. i don't like to use ether--they get "addicted" to it!! i try to remember to plug it in when i need to start it. hopefully will install "Aquahot" heat someday. it burns diesel fuel, then heats the coach with hot water. it heats the engine coolant also, so the diesel will always fire off. nice, but pricey... ... oh well might as well dream

 

[GFoley]

Mine rolled a lot of white smoke one winter start up. It had been still for about 34 hrs and not plugged in. I was in WI and the temp dropped to -20, daytime high was 10. Rotella in the pan. I don't have any high altitude advice.