I just picked up a 2004 Ram catalogue and one of the features listed for the 2004 HO is "Cummins Cold Start Capability". Is this actually a new feature (such as an improved pre-heater) or is it the marketing department describing something old in a new way? Living in Minnesota, good starting performance in the winter is a must. Truck will be garaged at home but not while working my 10 hour night shifts. I'm trying to decide between a good deal on 2003 clearance trucks or ordering a 2004 with all the features that I want, although at a higher price. Any ideas?

And yes, this will be my first diesel so this is all pretty new to me.

 

I'm not exactly sure what they are referring to on the '04 models, but my '03 seems to start just fine so far. There have been a few mornings it has dropped into the 30's and my rig fires right up without the block heater. I'm sure it will have no troubles as the temps get lower.

 

From one Minnesotan to another, these Cummins engines are great winter starters but when the January temps dip to -10F and colder you need to have everything right. Make sure you have good batteries, good fuel, a winter front, an engine block heater.

You need to plug it in if you are leaving it sit 10 hrs overnight outside in temps below -10 or take a coffee break a couple times and go start it and warm it up.

I don't want to scare you out of the best truck engine anybody ever built but you do have to be careful. These engines will hold heat a long time but 10 hours may be a little long.

I would also consider a remote start system. You can start it a warm it up periodically without going outside or you can program it to start the truck periodically, warm it up and shut it off for you.

If you do a lot of idling in cold weather you also need to change oil more frequently.

 

[quote author=BIGCUMMINZ link=board=20;threadid=21404;start=0#msg201563 date=1067177241]
hmm you can actually have a remote start for these trucks? i didnt know a diesel could have a remote start because of the fact it would start it right away and the glow plug light wouldnt be off yet?
[/quote]


Hi Big

Remote starters are available no problem, just money! - just got one installed in my 2003 last week. Mine is an Ultrastart (check out Ultrastarters.com). I'm even further north than you, here in Edmonton we pray for -10 mornings in January!

They cost a little extra for the diesel model or module whatever to wait for the manifold heaters to warm up, also cost extra for the anti-theft module, also costs extra for the keyless entry feature. Works great so far, timer delay starts at 1, 2, 3 ,4 hour intervals, remote start from inside my office. It's all good now!

 

Glow Plugs?

There is a program that if its really cold the engine will run on 3 cyls to heat faster and the rpm will ramp up if left idling or temp of engine is low.

I have been pondering more help for the Cummins in the winter.

I have decided to go this route now...

-5W30 Synthetic
-ESPAR heater...no more block heater, a warm engine and a warm interior. ;D No white smoke on cold start...ready to go without having to idle for 10 mins while I scrape the windows. No more scraping.

In addition to this I am getting the heated wipers. ;D

When I do the stereo install and the interior is gutted, I am doing some insulation too. 3/4" underlay and wherever theres metal I am putting the heavy vinyl truck sound damping material on. 8) I did this on my 01' and it made a big difference.

 

My next big surgical procedure is the insulation and stereo install. After that will be the ESPAR heater.

I was just thinking, maybe theres enough interest on here for a group purchase of ESPAR's? Save $!

After that is the turbos, shaker hood, injectors, o-ringing, exhaust and 4" exhaust brake.

Then its the 22.5" tires/wheels with air ride.


[quote author=BIGCUMMINZ link=board=20;threadid=21404;start=0#msg201588 date=1067182679]
hey when you do that to your truck please post pics. DC really pisses me off with there poor insulation. i can here pebbles hitting under my truck......
[/quote]

 

I'd be in for the group purchase on the Espars!

 

Can someone source these out in the USA?

I was told that the price up here would be 1350.00 Canadian with remote.

Good price?

 

I'm on my 3rd cummins and live where we have many days of -40 in the winter..had a few instances where someone has unplugged my truck while i was at work in these temps..cycle the heaters 3 times and fires right up..the most important thing in cold weather is oil...if your oil is like molasses..no heater and battery will start your truck..i run esso 0-40 SEMI synthetic year round and its a great oil..it actually pours at -30 and below...one other thing that makes a 'start and drive away'' in the morning is an interior cab warmer..the best 60 bucks you can spend ...

 

[quote author=cobrarep link=board=20;threadid=21404;start=0#msg201581 date=1067180834]
[quote author=BIGCUMMINZ link=board=20;threadid=21404;start=0#msg201563 date=1067177241]
hmm you can actually have a remote start for these trucks? i didnt know a diesel could have a remote start because of the fact it would start it right away and the glow plug light wouldnt be off yet?
[/quote]


Hi Big

Remote starters are available no problem, just money! - just got one installed in my 2003 last week. Mine is an Ultrastart (check out Ultrastarters.com). I'm even further north than you, here in Edmonton we pray for -10 mornings in January!

They cost a little extra for the diesel model or module whatever to wait for the manifold heaters to warm up, also cost extra for the anti-theft module, also costs extra for the keyless entry feature. Works great so far, timer delay starts at 1, 2, 3 ,4 hour intervals, remote start from inside my office. It's all good now!


[/quote]

I purchased a new alarm for my truck awhile back and couldnt find anyone to install it. They kept telling me that the new 03's were on the 1 wire system and it would be pretty much impossible to install, or they just didnt want to mess with it. The alarm I bought was a Crimestopper w/ 2 way pager.. I bascially just gave up trying to find someone to do the install and sold it.

 

[quote author=BIGCUMMINZ link=board=20;threadid=21404;start=0#msg201563 date=1067177241]
hmm you can actually have a remote start for these trucks? i didnt know a diesel could have a remote start because of the fact it would start it right away and the glow plug light wouldnt be off yet?
[/quote]

Most of the new DEI alarms have a wait to start lamp input. It will not crank the engine until it senses that the lamp is off. I used to install alarms quite a bit in the past. It really boils down to the installer. Some installers will tell you that remote starts can't be installed with a manual transmission, which is another myth.

If you are looking for a nice aftermarket system, go to www.avital.com and check out the Avistart 4300. It also has a built-in turbo timer that idles the engine for a little bit before shutting it down.

 

Okay folks, yur going beyond my cold weather knowledge. I've only seen -40F once in my life and nothing started in Minnesota.

Tell us more about the Espars and I've always wondered who makes a decent interior heater.

Does anyone make a 12volt heater for the heater core of a vehicle? I always thought that would be a good way to speed heat to the cab and the defrosters in the winter.

vernl's comment on oil viscosity is also critical for winter starting. Here in MN we use 10W-30 or 5W-30. We need to make sure we get the summer grade (15W-40) out before the temps drop too much. Sometimes this means changing oil before the mileage is due.

Also, make sure you don't have summer grade fuels in your truck. For those who don't drive a lot of miles this can be a problem. Stations tend to move to winter grade fuels on a sliding scale as summer turns to fall and fall turns to winter. It's easy to get caught with #2 fuel when the weather turns cold. When I'm around home and not driving much I never fill my tank over half full so if the weather turns I can go try to find some #1 to blend my own fuel.