Hi All,

I've been reading a diesel engine Winter tip sheet.

Just how difficult is a new Cummins to start and warm up in the Wintertime?

From what I've read it ain't easy.

Also, how often should cold weather diesel additives be added to a new(er) Cummins?

I didn't think much about it upto now because I work with a guy who bought a 2003 555, and had the dealer install a remote control keychain button starter.

I figured if it could start using the remote, it didn't need any human intervention (to fiddle with fuel pedal, warm up time, etc.).

Is it a pain or does it start easy and warm up like a gasser?

Thanks,

DT.

 

Hmmmm....

Mine goes like this:

1. Turn key to 'on', wait for pre-heat light to go out.
2. Turn key to start and crank.
3. Get out of truck and let it do its own warm-up thing, or wait a minute or two and drive away.

Engine has always started in about one or two seconds, regardless of temperature.

What cold weather additives to add? IMO, none.

 

Thanks for the response CP.

How cold does it get in your area?

Here it averages 0 degress, plus or minus 15 in the dead of Winter.

Similiar?

Thanks,

DT.

 

They are usually good to -20*f without plugging them in if you cycle them a couple times....bit I usually plug it in if I'm home and its gona be that cold.
Gets mighty cold here in Michigan to.

 

I live in Wisconsin and go up to UpperMichigan snowmobiling and my truck starts right up in winter it started this winter when outside temp was -23f, I'm using synthetic oil, don't know if that helps ease startup.

 

I installed a remote starter in mine.
I plug it in under 20*.
Put a piece of cardboard between the intercooler and radiator.

Starts right up every time, even at work after 16hours not pluged in.
Blows luke warm air by the time I get in after remote starting it.
Has heat within a few minutes of driving.
Full temp after about 10-15 minutes.

All above based on 0* at night and 10-20* during the day this past January.

 

You guys who remote start I hope you don't just let them sit there and idle more than 5 minutes max on a regular basis unless they get run a good amount of time at full operating temperature often. Letting it idle to warm up in the morning and then not giving the truck a good workout very often will let deposits build up on the valves and combustion chamber and can cause sticky piston rings.

Vaughn

 

I remote start then drive 40 miles to/from work 1/2 highway (65-80 mph) 1/2 local (45-70 mph)
But I do let it run for 10-20 minutes while remote started (high idle kicks in for most of the time).

 

Where I live, it gets down to zero, and sometimes quite a bit below but the average temperature is probably something like +20F or so. This winter was fairly mild. I think the lowest temp we had was something like -8F.

I try to plug in when it's going to be below +15F or so, but can't always do that and it always started just fine without being plugged in.

 

I live in Skagway, AK and when driving into the interior it get 40 below regularly. My truck is new so I can't say how it would start without the Espar Heater installed. It operates similarly to a boat heater and can be programmed up to seven days. One person said that the D5 heater will heat the truck to 120 degrees within one hour at -20 F. They are expensive though.

 

Thanks alot for the info Klondike.

You have the Espar heater? Does the truck start right up aftter using it? Is there a big difference between using it and not?

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay fot it?

Are you happy with it?

I was thinking about the Webasco coolant heater but it's expensive -> $1700.00, if the Espar is cheaper I'd probably go with it.

Thanks,

DT.

 

Hi All.

My truck is also equiped with ESPAR heater, they are great, I am using one for last 4 years, your truck will start just like in summer, no matter what's outside temp, no scoring on your cylinders or pistons, never head starter or battery problem.

They are expensive, about 2,000CAD but well worthed and you can take them out and reinstall in your next truck.

If you are going to get one, make sure they install it under the hood and not under the vehicle, all the mud, salt and rocks distroy them in about 2 years under the truck.

Regards Jack.

 

I paid about $1,700 without sales tax installed. The installation took longer than I thought it would (6 hrs). From what I have heard the Espar heater will heat your truck to 120 - 140 degrees within one hour with the added benefit of clearing your windshield.

 

I live in Fairbaks AK it gets pretty cold like -40F. Command starts are a way of life here, the auto temp feature is a great plus (starts the vehicle at a predeterimed temp) to keep your vehicle warm especially when you are up in the mountains with the snowmachines. My suggestion to you is to always run an addative such as stanadyne when you are using winter fuel it helps to keep the injectors in shape and lowers the gel point of your fuel. I havent had any problem starting so far but I do plug in below 0. I do have a heck of a time getting to operating temps though even with a 15 minute warm up. Auto starts run about 525USD and well worth it in really cold temps.