Keeping Diesel Engine Warm
My dodge dually Cummins engine is very hard to start when cold. At home or camping with hookups I can plug in the block heater but what can be done when boondocking.
Forum Discussion
- Never owned a Cummins engine, but they always seem to have block heaters on them. Living in Wyoming we learned what works. Number one diesel, synthetic oil, plug in at night. Keep your batteries up. I love diesels.
ppine wrote:
Air filter should not be a problem at all.
The first thin I would check after the battery and starter, would be glow plugs. Any diesel should start easily down to around 25 degrees.
Any Ford should start easily down to around 25 degrees. Any Cummins should start easily down to about -25 deg!memtb wrote:
Depending upon the age of the “good” battery.....you really should replace in pairs! I know it hurts the wallet a bit....I just (6 weeks ago) replaced six (6) in our 5th. wheel. All were old ....but only one “truly” bad.
Both batteries are 13 months old. And the replacement at walmart is $49. So I'm not concerned about the older battery killing the new one at that price. I will replace both before next winter with Interstate 800CCA from Costco.- Depending upon the age of the “good” battery.....you really should replace in pairs! I know it hurts the wallet a bit....I just (6 weeks ago) replaced six (6) in our 5th. wheel. All were old ....but only one “truly” bad.
- Battery driver side 650CCA reads 690CCA and 3.5 ohms. Passanger side 650CCA reads 190CCA and 13.5 ohms. Proof is in the pudding. Will probaby replace the bad one with another Wallyworld for now befire shelling out for a coulpe of quality ones later.
mich800 wrote:
Sounds like something within the starting circuit. You are on the right track. Batteries, cables, ground, starter any or a combination could lead to the slow cranking when cold.
Just bought a Cen-Tech battery analyzer (Amazon $87.42, Harbor Freight $69.99 with coupon $55.99) so will start with the battery condition. Stay posted.Picinisco wrote:
ppine wrote:
Air filter should not be a problem at all.
The first thin I would check after the battery and starter, would be glow plugs. Any diesel should start easily down to around 25 degrees.
Its a cummins engine so no glow plugs. It has an intake heater. Checked it and its clean and heats up fine.
Problem is slow turning when cold(ish)
Sounds like something within the starting circuit. You are on the right track. Batteries, cables, ground, starter any or a combination could lead to the slow cranking when cold.ppine wrote:
Air filter should not be a problem at all.
The first thin I would check after the battery and starter, would be glow plugs. Any diesel should start easily down to around 25 degrees.
Its a cummins engine so no glow plugs. It has an intake heater. Checked it and its clean and heats up fine.
Problem is slow turning when cold(ish)- ^ Although you said it turns over slow when “cold”
Where you’re at, cranking speed between plugged in, hot engine or cold engine should be indiscernible.
How have you verified it’s cranking slow? Presuming you don’t have a reader that shows exact cranking rpms. Have you hooked it up like you’re jump starting it, cold? That’s a way to weed out questionable batteries.
How are all the battery cables and connections? These trucks are voltage sensitive. Picinisco wrote:
4x4ord wrote:
You shouldn't need much of a battery to start an engine when the temperature is in the 40s or 50s.
You would think so. When on the block heater it starts right up.
That’s because there’s a 90% chance it’s injectors......wish someone had mentioned that earlier.
