I have a '92 Cummins 4BTA with no glow plugs and no other mechanism that makes it start in our now 20* F weather here in Utah.... So, I am limited to plugging it in, always!

Does anyone have any ideas. Ideally I'd love one of those webasto heaters but don't have the funds. Some sort of air heating element would be great or maybe a fuel heater but it has to start, and reliably. I have to be able to leave it and come out and even with a foot of snow on it and 10 degrees, it has to start... Any ideas? I know later model and 6BTs use some sort of grid system. Is it possibly retrofitable?

Here is a photo of the engine compartment and air intake (intercooled). Thanks guys, maybe someone can think of something that will fit? Only thing is it has the VE pump which has an air temp sensor that retards the timing according to temp. So I don't want to screw that up either...



Thanks!
dieselcruiserhead

 

Your link does not work. That being said, I wonder if you could retrofit a grid heater from a 5.9 to yours. Of course you would need the relays and a switch, but that seems easy enough. Post your pic again, and start looking on ebay for a grid heater for the 6 cylinder. At this point, do't buy it, just look at it. It is just some long ribbons of metal (element) that get warm when voltage is applied.

Where there is a will there is a way. Keep us informed, would be glad to try and help, Kevin

 

I know it may sound heretic on this board but over here we use starting fluid injected directly into the manifold for those diesels that don't have any preheater. These buggers work really well down to -45C (-49F)
The advantage is that the fluid is only used for some seconds. You have the starting fluid spray can on the dashboard and a line going into the intake manifold. Just press the button for about one or two seconds before cranking. Replacement cartridges run about 7€/pc over here and you get about 100 -200 starts out of one.

The reason why you can't use starting fluid on the dodge is that if you get the fluid on the grid heater it will go kaboooom - no grid heater no kabooom

Just my 2c

AlpineRAM

 

At a tractor dealer you should be able to buy a little device that looks like a spark plug. You install it in the intake and run a fuel line. When you activate the switch, the device works like a little furnace.
I had one in a Perkins...worked well.

 

Cummins sells a complete intake heater kit with a controller that can be retrofitted. I don't think I'd bother spending the money. My grids are not working due to a burned relay, and my truck started just fine at temps as low as 17 degrees not plugged in last winter. If it gets really cold, like Alpine Ram said, a little sniff of ether fires 'em right up. I doubt you'll need to do that though.

The temp switch you're talking about is for the KSB system. The KSB system is totally seperate from any grid heater system. The switch sends power to the KSB solenoid when manifold temp is below 90 degrees. The KSB solenoid blocks the vent on the pump and cranks up the pressure to advance the timing 10 degrees for better cold engine performance. The KSB system came on engines with and without the grids, it's totally independant.

 

like they said, you'll be fine without anything... it'll be grumpy and probably white/blue smoke a bit, but it should fire. push comes to shove, a little shot of starting fluid into the air filter box should get you going. make sure your batteries are in good shape!!!

Forrest

 

Thanks a ton guys, I appreciate the responses. Cummin' recommendation per the engine manual is to use ether. Mogs have a neat system where you can push a button and that quirts ether into the system so you don't even have to pop the hood. Only thing is that ether can wash your piston rings, I've heard. But who knows... Some engines jive with ether and cummins seems to be one of those luckily...

Thanks dudes!

PS photo works for me? And I'm not scared of relays either

 

Excessive use of ether can cause problems with cracked pistons, but there's no way you gould get liquid ether in the cylinders and wash them down. 3 to 5 seconds of spray in the intake to the air filter (don't you have a snorkel?) is usually plenty to light a cold engine. I wouldn't expect to need it until temps drop below zero if the truck is plugged in.

That's the error I get from the link to your pics, I'd imagine others are seeing the same thing.

 

All of my JD tractors have measured shot ether injectors. Just push the button and a little shot goes straight into the intake manifold though 1/8 tubing similar to boost tubing. Only need one push of the button when the temp drops below 10°. One ether cylinder lasts for years.
These guys have several models http://www.koldban.com/mainpages/about.htm