Cold Weather Operations

[JMichelson]

Winter is here in the Great Northwest and since this is the first winter with my Cummins I like to ask any of you diesel winter veterans some cold weather diesel questions.

First at what temperature should I plug in the block heater and at what temperature is it necessary in order to get the truck to start. Next question, how cold if ever cold enough should I consider covering part of the radiator to get the engine to run at the proper operating temperature. Any other diesel cold weather tips would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jeff

 

[SOOT]

usually a good temp to go by is when it starts dropping below about 30, anything above that it should start fine. It has already been in the single digits here and I have not plugged mine in yet seems to start fine, the only problem is when it is that cold the oil is really thick and takes a little longer the circulate which is not a good thing BTW. On the winter fronts some guys have reported running them in temps as high as 70 with no problems. When you start using the block heater that is a good time to start using winter fronts or some method of blocking the radiator, you don't want that cummins running cold its not good for it.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Jeff,



I usually plug mine in when it's below 40 degrees. It's easier on it when it starts. If I can't plug it in when it's around 0 or below, I cycle the grid heaters a couple of times before starting it. I drove to SD last Christmas in -15 degree temps with no cover on the radiator. I never had any trouble with heat in the cab, and it ran at it's usual 190 degree engine temp. Some guys like to cover the radiator to get the truck to heat up faster on the way to work. Some guys also remove the fan for the winter. For me, these things haven't been necessary. If you do cover the radiator with cardbaord or something, make sure you cut a hole for the fan and slip the cardboard between the radiator and the intercooler, so the intercooler isn't covered.



Dave

 

[illflem]

Jeff, if I lived in Vancouver I wouldn't do anything special for the winter, it just doesn't get cold enough. You may want to plug in for the maybe 10 days a year the temp drops below 25°.

 

[LSMITH]

I try to plug in below about 10*, but if I can't I don't worry. I have had mine sit over 14 hours with a high of -7* and it started fine after 2 cycles of the grid heaters. If it is above 0 I run one cycle of the heaters. As far as I have been able to tell (and it gets miserably freakin' cold here) plugging in gets me heat in the heater about 10 miles sooner and much quieter engine when it is really cold. A winter front will get the heater working sooner and for that reason I am going to try one this winter. Otherwise I have driven thousands of miles at less than 10* with the engine at proper temps with no problems.



Dave, you baby that thing!!!! Will be an awesome buy when you get a new one!