Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) COLD weather starting options?

[fkovalski]

I might be moving to a place that does not have an outdoor plug for an extension cord. It regularly gets down to 10- 15 degrees at night at these altitudes. Many times it will turn even colder. I have had problems in the past where I am currently living when I would forget to plug in. I would have to connect for at least 1/2 hour before the CTD would even think of starting. I have read some threads on the ESPAR heater that is available for our trucks, but the price and installation is making think more than twice about considering one. It starts great when the block heater is plugged in but it may not be in my future. Do I have other options for COLD weather starting on a regular basis or should I look for a different place to live? Can constant cycling of the heater grid be harmful on a regular basis?

 

[BV]

Cold weather starts

When Elk hunting we have let the rig park in those temps for 3-4 days and not had any problems. I would make sure your intake heaters are functioning properly, good batteries and maybe going to synthetic oil.



Cycling the heaters twice should not hurt the system but will drain the batteries more.

 

[Oil Burner]

kind of off subject, but I would put synthetic power steering fluid in if you haven't already. it keeps the pump from growlin' real bad in the cold weather. I use valvoline synpower.

~Jason

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Do a search on coldest start, you'll be amazed. My truck has sat outside not plugged in and the outside air temp was -22 and had been that way all night, I cycled the grid heaters twice and she came right to life. It wasn't pretty but it was running. I found a thread for you check it out, you may have some issues if she won't start cold. I have seen a thread that mentioned alot colder temps than this but this is just the one I had posted to.







Cold Starts

 

[wyosteve]

I carry a Honda 1000 watt portable generator to plug into. Costs about $600, but is worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[fkovalski]

I'm sure the neighbors in the other townhomes would love a generator at 5:00 in the AM just to start the CTD I did check the other threads, but now my concern is turning to proper heating grid opperation on mine. I do have the "wait to start" light working properly. But, there was one time last winter when after cycling at LEAST 6 or 7 times with out a hint of starting that I was concerned about draining the batteries. I had to plug in for 1/2 an hour. I am wondering if mine is working right. It seems that other members have not has a similar plight as me



EDIT: I had the 3cyl reflash done by the dealer- I know this helps in warming up quicker, BUT will it make it start easier?

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I would definantely say you had grid heater problems and no the 3 cylinder thing will not affect starting. As for the 1ooo watt honda generator, if you left it running in you bathroom you would not even hear it in you living room. I own one of those also and when I charge the batteries on the camper you can barely hear it through the camper (2x2) walls, it is the most amazing thing I own.

 

[CUMAPART]

Yeah, I would say that you have some issues with your grid heater. In the winter I sometimes leave my truck for a day or two at the shop not plugged and when I come back it just takes 1 cycle and it fires right up. Temps ranging from teens to sub zero readings. I've never even thought about or heard anyone cycling the grid heater 6-7 times... ...

 

[Billy Diesel]

-25* is not uncommon up here in Minnesota. Every once and a while some idiot would unplug my truck at night (lived in an apartment), but I would cycle the grid heaters twice, and it would fire right up. It wouldn't sound pretty, (I think the CTD switching to 3 cylinders at 5:30 in the morning put a stop to that idiot unplugging my truck ) but it always ran. In anything over 0* I would just wait on the "wait to start" light once, and then fire her up.



I would think that cycling the grid heaters 6 or 7 times would kill the batteries if the heaters were working properly... ...

 

[robertyoke]

how cold ? 9000+ feet above sea level ?? after snowmobiling mine will start no problem ... leave it out all night not plugged in colder than 0 no way. I found cold start additives help lots and get better mpg too.

 

[andrewkoperdak]

you guys starting in really cold weather, do you get tons of smoke while she is warming up. My smokes so badly when it is near zero Farenheit that I don't like to be near my truck. I certainly don't run the heater as it suck in the soot and smoke. You guys the same?

R,

Andy

 

[jrollins]

yea when i am in CO during the winter i rarely plug in my truck, one cycle of the grid heaters and it fires right to, i do have the high idle/3 cylinder cutoff enabled and they do help. but it always fires right up but it will some pretty bad until it warms up. .