Cold Start Question.

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Last week we hit the single digit temps up here. My truck sat for approx 10 hours that night. When I went to start it, it turned over slow and fired up. It started like it normally does, except it turned over a lot slower than normal. Is this normal or something I should have checked? Also, my oil pressure gauge takes at least 5 seconds to come up and I get awful nervous waiting for it.
Secondly, is there any kind of a throttle lock available for the cummins? And if not, have any of you rigged up something that works well?
Thanks

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2001 Dodge Quad cab 4x4. HO Cummins 6spd. Patriot blue. Everything except leather and clearence lights. (soon to be put on)

 

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Do you still have your "summer" oil in?
15W-40, I'd say a slow start was very normal in single-digit weather. This is one of the reasons I really like synthetics (Amsoil 5W-30, or Delvac 1 5W-40). You get quick starts in cold weather, but no loss of protection in normal temperatures. If you want to stick to regular oils, check your owner's manual for temperature-appropriate recommendations.

P. S. - I forgot to ask, is your engine serial number between 56478845 and 56744082? If it is you might want to look at TSB-18-15-00 on Fritz's Ram Page. But that TSB talks about poor running, not failure to start. I think your oil was just thick.

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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, K&N RE-880 w/foam pre-cleaner, ARE Z-series Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, and all kinds of synthetic fluids...

[This message has been edited by HC (edited 12-10-2000). ]

 

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LEEWISKEY... Like HC suggested change to a lighter weight oil. . 5W15 is good for the cold weather. .
Also you can plug in your block heater. . I think your truck probably came with one...

I heard of guys tying the cords to a post so it will unplug it self in the morning if you happen to be a little slow before having your coffee #ad


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"Have you driven OVER a phord lately"
2001 2500 BRT WHT SPORT QUADCAB 4X4 ETH 3. 54LSD TRLR CMPR PKG ALL OPT XCPT LTHR

 

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I agree with HC oil mite be a little thick if using 15w-40. If you want to stick with the real thing change to 10w-30 during winter months. Lighter oil will also bring up pressure gauge faster but 5 secs is not bad.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

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I just got my Espar from member John Howard. Haven't done the install yet, but soon to come. It should benefit my truck as I'm moving out on my own and it will not have the luxury of a heated private garage wherever I buy the house (until I build one). I'll post after it's installed to further explain what I find.

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Chris Timochko
AUTO WURKS DIESEL R&D TEAM
1997 5sp 4X4, A. W. D. HX40 turbo, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, A. W. D. Custom Tuned Injection Pump, A. W. D. Intercooler, A. W. D. 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, A. W. D. Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, A. W. D. 6" Chrome Exhaust System, BD No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s.

 

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I will be going to 10W30 probably in 700 miles (sometime next week). I would like to use Amsoil but Cummins recommended at least 20000 miles before I could do that. Anyone know why?

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2001 Dodge Quad cab 4x4. HO Cummins 6spd. Patriot blue. Everything except leather. Muffler removed.

 

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Leewhiskey,
Your engine needs to achive final fit and finish before goin' to a synthetic.
Big A

 

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Originally posted by Leewhiskey:
I will be going to 10W30 probably in 700 miles (sometime next week). I would like to use Amsoil but Cummins recommended at least 20000 miles before I could do that. Anyone know why?

I feel 20,000 mile is a little exessive before swithching over (guess it depends on how hard you work the truck when new). A few years back I spoke with a Cummins rep who prior to his management position worked as a tech for Cummins re-building engines and building the Re-Con Cummins engines. We talked about "break-in" periods and when it would be safe to switch to synthetic oil. Short story is it would be OK at the first recommended oil change, or by the 2nd if you are uncomfortable with switching any sooner.

You will find many varied opinions regarding this subject, which probably is not going to make this an easy or clear-cut decision for you. Best thing would be do a search here on the TDR board regarding this subject and then do what you feel comfortable with.

 

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I'm chuckling at all the cold weather advice posts below the ole Mason-Dixon line.
LOL
Maybe moving <em>south</em> is the best winter advice? The advice on &quot;plugging it in&quot; and thinner oils is the best place to start. Batteries may be in the future as well.

Cold weather brings out the worst in everthing. Fuel is cold which taxes the lift & injector pumps. Oil is cold and trying to pretent it is only a 15 weight. The batteries are cold and trying to put the listed cold cranking amps (CCA. The fuel heater and grid heaters also demand a good bit of battery reserve.

Most auto companies reccommend waiting on the switch to synthetics. They claim it is due to wait out the break-in as synthetic is too thin and will escape past seals. I wish they would make up their minds. Break in oil used to be #10 I've had mixed result on changing oil types.

I may be joining Chris in the supplemental heated gang. I'm moving from the Seattle area to Minnesota over Christmas. I think Espar or Webasto is in the near future.

chilly;
*JE*

 

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If you havn't yet yanked a heavy trailer 1000 miles, then , IMHO, your truck is not broken in. It can take 20,000 miles of conservative miles to break in an engine. If you have a trailer great, if not borrow one. I saw an increase in fuel efficency after some miles with a trailer. Perhaps 25% better after hard pulling. Best milage prior to towing was 17 MPG and average of 15-16. After pulling a 12,000lb trailer 1500 miles I could achieve 21... even could manage 22 with a tailwind and a lighter right foot.
I think it's a mistake to run synthetic before complete break in takes place. With synthetic, and the right driving conditions, it may never break in properly. I know, the manual says that no break in is necessary but hard work sure helps those rings seat and my mileage also speaks volumes regarding the motors supposed unnecessary break in procedures. It's just a guess but it may well be that these engines not only like but acctualy NEED to be run hard on occation to really break in.
-Paul R. Haller-

 

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Well, truck went to the dealer today. I went out this afternoon to get it and it took 3 separate cycles and a fair amount of cranking to get it going. It fired a little bit and maitained 300 or so rpm with help from the starter. It turned over very slow, and I don't think the oil is the problem. I have had 15W40 in both my other diesels (PSD and 6. 9) in the winter with no problems starting. So my guess is the engine is not turning fast enough. Also, are these supposed to have a high idle when cold? Mine stays around 7 or 800 rpm even when cold.

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2001 Dodge Quad cab 4x4. HO Cummins 6spd. Patriot blue. Everything except leather. Muffler removed.

 

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Sounds like the grid heater cycling is draining the batteries,causing the slow cranking. The batteries seem awfully young to die,but did the dealer check them?I run 15-40 Delo year with no problems,but I also plug in. Only one idle speed on the stock Cummins .

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,Driftwood,Banks&Phscotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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it was 16 degree's here in central Arkansas this morning with a wind chill of -7. Running amsoil in mine, not plugged it(no plug outside the apartment). only took one cylce of the heating grid and started fine.

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Daniel McKeehan
1999 2500 QC/Short Bed/4X4 5 speed. Camper Package and of course a Cummins.

 

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<font color=blue>It was -5&deg; this morning here. Windchill was -38&deg; overnight although wind cgill on inanimate objects doesn't exhist.

I plugged it in last night and running Premium Blue 15W-40, fired right up rather quickly. The grid heater didn't even cycle all that long this morning. Needless to say I am happy #ad
Be even happier when I get synthetic in.

Pondering an Espar or Websto heater, leather sure gets cold #ad

 

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Leewhiskey
I made up a "Idle stick" using a piece of 3/8" threaded stock along with a turn buckle,several 3/8" nuts and two rubber end caps. I place the stick between the front drivers seat bracket and the go pedal, on the pedal's lower most right hand corner. I use this at work, where I can't plug in, and start the truck up 10 min. before I leave. I set the idle to 1100 rpm's and after ten minutes the temp. is up and I have heat. Works great and cost all of $5. 00 from the local hardware store. Click on the "My Truck" link below for a pic. Hope this helps.
Scott W.


White 2001. 5 3500 ETH/DEE 4X4 Quad cab SLT,tow package and camper prep,Husky liners front and rear,DiPricol pyro,boost and engine oil temp. gauges,Edge EZ box,Mopar tonneau,Lund bug shield,PM tractor utility back up lights,Penda bed mat and blow by bottle is bye bye !!!
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089608" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>My Truck</font></A><font color="#DEDFDF">


[This message has been edited by Bigsaint (edited 12-13-2000). ]

 

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Last winter, while still running normal oil, I was able to regularly start my 99 RAM during a week of -40F simply by always cycling the wait to start twice. I was quite pleased and a bit surprised, especially since the old Suburban (gas) destroyed a starter that week. naturally it had some assistance from the RAMS electrical system via some mondo jumper cables. . #ad


As to the power steering pump in the RAM, when real cold, it howls like a cat in heat.

For my 99's second winter, I have amsoil in the engine ,an ESPAR heater and most of the radiator blocked off. The ESPAR makes it start like it does on a summer day and even the power steering pump is happier now (yep, heat rises)...

The ESPAR is quite the conversation piece. Today I spent 15 minutes with the garbage man in a discussion of the finer points of vehicle heat after he heard my little jet engine running under the RAM ... . #ad


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99' SB 4x4 : DDI's, HOT PE, SPA dual gauge, ESPAR, Line-X OTR, Ladder bars, AMSOIL, etc (GPS,Cell,CB,... . )

[This message has been edited by David_VT (edited 12-13-2000). ]