Grid Heater for Starting

[DonTX]

Just curious. My notorious no start situation reminds me of a powerstroke with the glow plug controller shot. Since my oldie has no grid heater for starting, I was wondering how you guys use it. With temps in the 70's say, do you still use the heater thing? How badly do they start if the grid quits working? Maybe I need to add one to mine? Comments about grid heaters welcome.

 

[MMiller]

I never let my grid heater cycle unless its gets down to the 30's or colder. I just jump in, and turn the key to start. Even at 30* she will pop off, but its less smokey if the inlet heater cycles. You do not have an engine that needs a heater to start. You engine could be equipped with an ether "atomizer" for cold weather start.



To conclude, an inlet heater will not assist your starting at 70*F. *I* believe the inlet heater is more for cleaner startups, and for cold weather starts. There are several guys on here that have removed their inlet heaters for cleaner installation, and better airflow. Some of them however park thier trucks come winter time. I suspect you won't be doing much camping in the winter time, however I suspect you might be living in your camper if you don't get it fixed soon. :-laf



Michael

 

[DonTX]

OK, that is exactly what I suspected, darn it. As you surmised, the only time my outfit will need starting in the cold, is when hell freezes over, as that is the whole reason for an RV I think. Even if it would "cover up" the real problem, that is not acceptable as a solution for me.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Sounds like it might be the shutdown solenoid acting up? Are your batteries and starting motor in good conditiones? If ithe engine is not completely worn out, it should roar to life in the Texas heat. bg

 

[Greenleaf]

When I do start my truck in the winter is still fires right up after I prime the fuel system. It seems this helps after it has set for many weeks. Outside of that, I don't drive the diesels untill April. The 92 (pictured) has no grid heat-er thing-y



I believe MM is right. It's for cleaner starts. Many of my buses do NOT have the grid heater. They cackle and smoke for about one min. if they are not plugged in at night.

 

[JLEONARD]

when hell freezes over

Be careful what you wish for!

If I knew how to post pics here I would post the one I sent to you privately... :-laf



I have a friend who once named a 33 Ft boat "Hell Froze Over" because his wife said that would be when he could buy a big boat. :-laf

 

[DonTX]

BIG trouble

Oh gosh, JLeonard thinks I am in big trouble!

 

[bgilbert]

Ok Don, here ya go. I'll trade ya a 89-91 non-intercooled intake system (stock crossover pipe, boot, clamps, grid heater, bolts, and necessary hardware) for your intake system. (air to water aftercooler, short crossover pipe, water piping to cylinder head etc)..... ?

 

[DonTX]

Since Hell froze over, I will get back to you on that.

 

[Greenleaf]

I believe that town is in MI.

 

[rlyons]

Greenleaf,

I love that red, think me sees my next project! :-laf

 

[JLEONARD]

Yes it is near Detroit. Been there.

I often start my truck without cycling the grids unless the temp is arout 10 degrees or colder.

Once I started it last year with temps below zero. . it started, but it made me feel really bad... took forever to get her to fire up and stay running (with only one battery mind you). Then it coughed and hiccupped and smoked like crazy for a few minutes... just wasn't right, but I wanted to experiment.

 

[OKish]

Yes it is near Detroit. Been there.

I often start my truck without cycling the grids unless the temp is arout 10 degrees or colder.

Once I started it last year with temps below zero. . it started, but it made me feel really bad... took forever to get her to fire up and stay running (with only one battery mind you). Then it coughed and hiccupped and smoked like crazy for a few minutes... just wasn't right, but I wanted to experiment.

i fired my truck up in -7 degrees without the intake heaters, it smoked and ran on 3 cyl for a few moments then sounded fine.

 

[tugboatphil]

Scott!!!



Very clever way of showing off your Show-N-Shine Award winning engine!!

 

[Greenleaf]

Thanks Phil.......

... ... ... . for noticing. You caught me.



-S