HELLO EVERYONE. MY QUESTION IS I JUST BOUGHT MY 96 CUMMINS WITH 95000 MILES ON IT AND I LOVE IT COMPARED TO MY 99 POWERSTROKE (WHICH I TRADED IN FOR THE CUMMINS) DOES ANYONE HAVE TO PLUG THEIR TRUCK IN? I TALKED TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHO HAD IT IN ALASKA AND IDAHO AND HE SAID THAT HE NEVER HAD TO PLUG IT IN. I WENT TO START IT THIS MORNING, IT WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES OUT HERE IN NEW JERSEY AND IT DID NOT START UNTIL THE THIRD TRY AFTER I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. OFF THE TOPIC JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT GENO'S GARAGE HAS AN EXCELLENT KIT FOR REMOVING THE THE MUFFLER FOR 65.00 AND IT DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY WELDING.

 

i was plugging my 97 in when it was getting in the low 30's or colder. only did for the almost instant heat in the morning. i havent had any trouble starting this truck even down to 0 with out being plugged in.

 

hey diesel crazy do you use 15w40 in winter or 10w30?

 

The manual probably states that you may have to lightly hit the throttle to start it when cold. Mine starts ok at that temp but will stumble and stall below 20. Is your idle set right? Also - I never plug in my truck. A relative that owns a construction business in the Pocono's doesn't plug in any of his neither - and it gets pretty cold at his house. He once told me that plugging in the truck will wear the bearings out faster.... in the electric meter. Actually, I firmly believe it only helps get the cab warmer faster. Remember your fuel is still at the outside air temp and the oil is, in my opinion, still cold (There is a debate on the oil being warmed).

 

shell rotella t 15/40 all year round.

 

Shell Rotella all year round in Montana bingo

As to plugging in Dont worry about it. its easier to start but as john pointed out correctly the proceedure he listed is fail safe. I have never had a problem

 

hey fanz .......... is your kdp killed yet ??

 

Have you checked to see if your grid heater is working right. I had a 97 and the relays went out to the grid heater. It would start real hard when cold out.
dave

 

Shoot, I only plug mine in is when the temp is going to 0 or below. I always have to touch the throttle to start it.
Tom

 

I always plug mine in, it will start fine without but it's nice to be warm right away. Mine always takes a touch of throttle to get her goin!!

 

While these trucks will start fine below zero without plugging in I have no doubts that it adversely effects the engine's longevity.
It's pretty obvious it's not doing any good when it takes 15 seconds for the oil pressure to come up when cold vs. almost instantly when plugged in.
Some OTR truckers I know plug in whenever the temp drops below 50°F.

 

My truck ( and me ) like to have it plugged in, you can certainly see the reduced cycle time of the grid heater,both on start up and warm up. She'll turn over much faster, and idle much smoother right away and I've never had to touch the pedal.
I have a timer set to come on for about 4 hrs on the coldest day, the extra hydro it consumes is worth it to me.

 

What about water heaters?

They install under the hood and run off the trucks fuel to heat and circulate the vehicle's water to heat the engine.

In a diesel I wonder if that would be sufficient to heat up the block and oil?

This company makes one, look for parking heaters.

You start it remotely, let it run for 15-20 minutes to heat the engine, then the truck is supposed to be good and warm to go.

http://www.webasto.com/home/en/homepage.html

Anyone know if these are any good?

I called them awhile back and the product's expensive (~$1700.00) but it looks like the cats-***!

DT.

 

The Webastos and Espar heaters are excellent if you don't have a place to plug in but mighty expendsive.