I live in northern Ohio, and it's been getting pretty cold up here lately. So far, I haven't had any major problems getting my diesel to start, but it does take a few cranks and sometimes even dies once it does get started if I don't step on the accelerator a bit.<br><br>My question is, how hard is cold starting on the engine? Is this taking years off my expected life?<br><br>I'm at college, and to my knowledge, there is no place to plug my truck in.

 

It would be a lot better on it if you could plug it in, and it would start much easier.

 

I had the same problem till I adjusted my idle. My 97 Cummins wore a notch in the throttle stop. It was idleing at 850. Too slow for proper injection speed. Idle shoild be around 950 to 1k with the automatic in neutral. Turn up your idle and it will start everytime no problem. As far as cold weather starts below 20 deg's I would plug in the block heater. I have mine on a timer. Comes on 3 hours befor I use the truck. If you can't plug it in anywhere there is a fuel fired block heater that can be installed. I don't know the name off hand but you can do a search for it online. I read about the unit some time ago on the TDR website. (WWW.Turbordieselregister.com) It has a built in timer that will fire it up and warm the oil and the water jacket. I also use a fuel addative sold by Cummins for cold weather. Good luck with your truck.

 

It seems like most of the wear and tear on an average engine comes from start-up, when the oil has drained down off everything and it and takes a while for it to recirculate.
This is compounded in cold weather by the oil becoming thicker and it then takes even longer for it to pump thru all the oil passages and eventually heat up enough to really be efficient.
These things are designed to start in cold weather, even when not plugged in, but the life of the engine would indeed benefit from the use of a heater.
If you can not plug in, have you considered looking into alternative heaters?
I saw where somebody was talking about those here not too long ago. maybe you can do a search on that and find an answer to your problem that way.

 

I think synthetic oil will help minimize dry starts til you can find a place to plug in.

 

Hey Doomgaze I was wandering what college you are going to? I went to Heidelberg college for one year and played football. I seprated my sholder and can't play for one whole year. :'( I live in southern Ohio Close but not too close to Cincinnati.<br>Aaron

 

Is there such thing as a battery powered heater?

Thanks for the info guys!

dodgeman, I goto The University of Findlay. I'm in the Equestrian Western Riding program. Attempting to get a double major with Computer Science (or Equine Business) and then minoring in Criminal Justice.

 

[quote author=doomgaze link=board=16;threadid=7968;start=0#77106 date=1039279971]<br>Is there such thing as a battery powered heater? <br><br>Thanks for the info guys!<br><br>dodgeman, I goto The University of Findlay. I'm in the Equestrian Western Riding program. Attempting to get a double major with Computer Science (or Equine Business) and then minoring in Criminal Justice.<br>[/quote]<br> Ok so does this mean we could end up with a Wired Laptop Toting Hanging Judge on Horseback? <br> There are indeed some areas where this could be VERY beneficial to our often as not lacking legal system! ;D

 

I have yet to see an MDT on a mounted patrol, but there's always a first. He can stop'em, check'em in LEIN, try and hang'em in one morning. Been shopping for a hand made holster for my colt, and a rifle scabbard... but I haven't seen a lap top scabbard.

Sounds like some solid career choices. Horses have been around awhile as well as crooks.

 

Just plug it in for 2 hours before you go somewhere in the morning and get a front wind blocker to get better gas mileage. I will also be adjusting my idle up to 850 to 900 RPM.<br><br>I have Lund smoke colored snap in grill covers that work good. Have two in from 10 to 30 and all 4 in from -30 to 10 deg. 8)

 

doomgaze<br><br>First of all &quot;Forget the Bull... Ride a Cowgirl!&quot; This is an excellent statement. <br><br>If you can't plug it in then oh well, turn the idle up as mentioned above and run it for a while before driving, if you have a stock auto do this in neutral and don't gut it while it's cold....under 2K.<br><br>Jim

 

Your expected life will remain unchanged no matter how bad you treat you truck. <br>Think of all the farm equipment that is in the far north that gets started cold. I don't think you will do any harm with cold starts it's just a lot easyer to do it when it warm. A synthetic oil will flow easyer when cold and it should start a bit easyer but you have to figure if the cost is worth it. You really don't have that long of a winter in ohio so I dont think the cost of a ESPAR or fuel powered heater would be worth it unless the truck will not start at all.<br>DENNY

 

Doom I went to college at Heidelberg college. That is about 30 to 50 min from Findlay. I have a friend that is in the horse program up there. She is tall with dark hair and well she only has One eye maybe you have seen her.<br>Aaron

 

Well I through my two cents worth in here. Coming from Alberta Canada where the winter is six months long, not only long but cold as well I use 0-30 in the winter plus plugged in before starts. Now, where I worked there are two guys that sprung for a fuel fired water heater, it sets along the right side of the engine, right in the way of changing the oil filter. But it can be done. <br><br>The good news first then the bad: the goods news is that it can be programmed. If you were to fly out of town and leave your truck at the airport for a week you can set it to start two hrs before your flight comes in. Or you can set it to start every two hrs and only run for 30 min. All sort of options. Also the nice thing about them is that they not only get the engine warm but the whole inside of the cab is toasty warm. The only caution that the fellows told me about is you should have your fuel tank full before you leave it set for a week and run every so often. <br><br>Now the bad news: Cost 1500.00 dollars Can.<br><br>Robert<br>

 

[quote author=doomgaze link=board=16;threadid=7968;start=0#77106 date=1039279971]<br>Is there such thing as a battery powered heater? <br><br>Thanks for the info guys!<br>[/quote]<br><br>Not exactly, but there is a Diesel powered heater (it also uses a bit of battery).<br>http://www.espar.com/htm/applies/pickup.htm<br><br>I don't think you can get one if you're on the same college budget I was. But I didn't have a CTD either. <br><br>Tackett