How cold is too cold to start a 3rd Gen unplugged?

[Hunter1]

Ok, for 2003 or newer, 3rd Gen trucks, it seems that the coldest no plug in start is -15F with two warm up cycles, which amazes me!



Let's see what the COLDEST no plug in start was, and be honest guys



Only 3rd Gen please



I would like to know, if I am out and about, just how far I can rely on my girl to start in cold temps



Thanks



Hunter1

 

[Parshal]

I plug mine in when it's below 30 and parked in my garage. I have a timer to turn it on two hours before I leave in the morning. I only do it because I have an eight mile trip to work. Plugging in and the winter front help it warm faster and give me heat quicker.



The coldest I've started mine without plugging in was when it was 6 degrees and sat out all night. It started right up.



By the way, I rarely wait for the grid heater light to go out. I jump in and crank it right up although I didn't start that practice until this summer. The coldest I've started it without the grid heaters is 30.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Mr. Dyslexic

Originally posted by LightmanE300

Well at 9am it was 81F this morning. I thought about plugging it in but then figured I'd risk all the additional wear

Lightman it was 81 here too! Except I had to scrape the windshield before leaving for work

LOL

 

[JDanford]

brrrr

It was 8 here this morning; started right up. It got down to -20 last February right after I got my 03 & she always started up, no problems. Sure do let the intake heater cycle, though. And I didn't think winter was supposed to be here 'till 12/21? Yeh, right!

 

[nwjetboat]

I just got back from a three-day hunt in the Mtns of Idaho. Temperatures were -4 to 15 during this period (the beer froze in the cooler). I used the 4-wheeler exclusively, and never started the truck so it sat. When I got ready to leave, I did three key on/off heat cycles,(read that somewhere, TDR I think) the truck tried to start, kind of a two or three cylinder run for one second then died. I did another three key on/off cycles again, it did the same thing. I got out the owners manual to see if it would help. Did another three cycles and it fired up. (sigh of relief)

I knew the temperatures were going to be around zero, so I added Power Service conditioner before I left.

I am new to diesels, and did not get a "warm fuzzy" from this experience. We have had mid teens in the valley and the truck has started first try after work, so this surprised me.

Did I do the start sequence correctly??

Are the grid heaters on only when the wait to start light is illuminated?

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Sounds strange, I have never ever done more then the normal turn the key on wait for the light to go off and start it. Never have cycled it more time like some people says and it has always started perfect... ... ...

 

[AGrubbs]

Plug in??

Its only gotten down to 17 so far this year, and my '03 truck started fine with just one 'glow'. I am hopeing that Santa will be good to me and bring me an Espar heater for my truck before Christmas. before the 'real' cold weather gets here.



I work a 4PM to 4AM shift, and last year I was driving a gasser S-10 4x4 with the 4. 3L v6. It had a remote starter installed and it was nice to get out to the truck after my shift and have it be warm when you climb in to it and most of the windows clean. I would like to be able to do this with my new truck.



The thing with plugging in seems to be that most of the time you really want to have it, you are out away from any outlets. I have no access to outlets when I park at work.



Since this is my first winter with the Cummins engine, I can't say much about how it starts when cold, but I think at the next oil change I am going to switch to a 5w-40 Synth. RotT. It should flow a lot better when starting than the 15w-40 stuff that is in there now.



I have used 5w-30 and 5w-40 synthetics in my cars, and they start up just fine with just glow plugs down to about -15. Below that I don't go out much!

At low temps, starter motor RPM is a big factor in how well a diesel will start, and cold thick oil don't help the cranking speed.



My '87 MB 300SDL has an electric coolent heater in it and so does my VW TDI. While the TDI is direct injection like the cummins and starts easy when cold, the MB is indirect injection and it grumbles a bit about starting when cold, but it still starts OK when -0 outside.



With the TDI when its cold out, it burns so little fuel (50+ MPG's!) that the engine does not make enough heat to bring up the engine temps to operating temps until after about 10 miles at 65 MPH. I feel this is not good for the engine, so I plug it in if I am planning on going only a short distance when it is cold out. It still starts OK without being plugged in, but I think it is better for the engine. It keeps the oil from collecting moisture, and the engine runs more effeciently when warm, and I get to stay warm too!





Just my $. 02 on it. .



Arnie

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Mopar_Mudder

Sounds strange, I have never ever done more then the normal turn the key on wait for the light to go off and start it. Never have cycled it more time like some people says and it has always started perfect... ... ...

I have never cycled more than once.



Dean

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

A Grubbs, I finally got around to plugging my truck in because it just wasn't getting warm at all during my 15-minute drive to work. I agree it's a lot better for them when you short-trip it to plug in when it's this cold. It has been in the upper teens when I leave in the morning. This AM it was a lot happier and it started getting warm a lot sooner.



I changed to Amsoil 15W40 just before the cold snap hit, glad I did! It seems to circulate good in this cold.



Vaughn

 

[goodwid]

Well.....



We have had a cold snap here in Western Canada this past week. Temps dropping down to -21 C (-?F) a couple of mornings.



I tried to plug mine in, put it kept blowing the fuse in the house. Turns out the Heater element is shorting out in side the engine. It can't be fixed until next week, but the weather is warming up.



I have been starting it anyhow in the cold and she starts right up first bump after one cycle on the preheat.



brrrrrr...

 

[sellisrulz]

I plug her in when its fore-casted to get below 20F. I notice the grid heater light only come on for maybe 5 seconds, plus the heat is nice too. Windshield is 1/2 defrosted. Nice. Cackles an awful lot when she's cold started, but just drive it gently after oil pressure shows and she'll warm right up.

Winter front?? On my list of must haves this far north.

 

[Ladders]

I know some have done the lites for the grid htrs. Before I spend time looking for the correct wires was hoping someone could post the color of the wires to use for the lites. If not then I will when I finish adding them.



SOTSU!!

\\BF//



EDIT: All I did was "tie" the light (Radio Shack - 2 grns for about 2. 49) between the 2 contacts on the relay (the push on ones). The colored wires are the + and the black are the - (if you are using LEDs). Both come on at first, with the wait to start lite, then they cycle between the 2 until the 15mph is reached. Need to put ring terminals on the ends yet to finish the job. If you use the lites I did, be aware that the are very hard to solder to. You may find a connector to use on them - like a battery plug from the re-cycled batteries for a cordless phone. They should have a recycle box and just clip the connectors off with some of the wire. (had to do this for a battery pack on a scanner - the wires were shot due to constant changing out)

 

[hammersley]

Running heater all night will cost some $$$

1500 watts will run up some change if you let her run all night - be sure to use a HD (3 prong) timer and depending on temps - at least an hour.

 

[realsquash]

w00t I got to hear the high idle this morning 15 degrees and no starting problems!



Andy

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

1500 Watts? The 2nd Gen ones were 600 or 700 watts. I usually use a timer on mine set 2-3 hours before I take off in the AM, longer if it's colder.



My timer broke though so I been plugging in around 10pm. I don't think there is a significant impact on your electric bill, I'm more worried about wearing out the element.



Vaughn

 

[Rman]

Originally posted by goodwid

Well.....



We have had a cold snap here in Western Canada this past week. Temps dropping down to -21 C (-?F) a couple of mornings.

-21C is about -6F. Pretty cold! I think you guys are way overly concerned with the cold, these aren't the diesels of old. I never have a problem ice fishing in about -30F Do have to use additive though, i have had gelling issues when driving. Just up and stalled, i didn't know what was wrong, it ended up being gelled fuel. Whata bummer.



It's a handy option but certainly isn't needed. The wear thing, yeah i guess, our old tractors sure run good and have way more hours than my truck will see for about 15 years, and they don't get plugged in. Personal preference i guess.

 

[David Pendleton]

My 2G started first time at -30 in Cable, WI last year after sitting for three days.



After about 90 seconds at idle, I put it in gear and it just sat there (snowmobile trailer attached).



I had to 'coax' it to move, and babied it for about 15 minutes.



My 3G has started with no problems, but our temparatures have only dipped into the teens thus far.

 

[Hunter1]

David Pendleton



-30F not plugged in?



Oil was too cold in the auto to move?



And, let us know how cold your 3G starts, I am most impressed after owning an older Ford, that darn thing would hardly start below freezing!



Hunter1

 

[David Pendleton]

No, not plugged in.



I suspect the transmission was too cold to cooperate also.



I never had a (serious) issue with my 2G. I'd plug it in when we were at home, but not all the time.



I bought my 3G in August, so this winter will be the real test.

 

[sellisrulz]

Coldest we've seen so far since we bought the 3G was -40F (-40C), always had her plugged in. She'd crank (slowly) but always fired up. Have to use fuel additive before it gets that cold, so far had zero problems (knock on wood). High idle would kick in every time we stopped for more than a minute (rest area's, scenic vista's, etc)

Added an oil pan heater to keep the oil liquified. Shouldnt be a problem.

Luv the Cummins!!