That's what this thread needed!! Tests and facts! Way to go Infindel! Bottom of the oil pan temp is very surprising!!

 

Infidel; Good info there I would not have guessed that. Of course few if any plug in for 12 hrs. I am not saying that it doesn't help the truck. Im saying that I own the truck and it doesn't own me. My life does not fit with a truck that needs to be tied to a plug. I am not saying that you should never plug it in. I am saying that 80% of the time I can't even if I wanted to. Therefore the 20% that I can plug in can cause me more trouble because I need to know that it will start with simple common sense prep and maint. just as 9612v stated in his post. bnold; hopfully that answered you question too.

 

OK, I give up. Don't plug it in. But use low viscosity synthetic oil in the winter to minimize cranking stresses.

Bill, thanks for that. It explains a lot.

 

Do what you have to do... If you cant plug in then you cant.. For me I know it makes it easier on everything to plug in (including me! ) so I do...

 

Rare1; you are a good sport. Yes I use synthetic oil. That just goes along with good prep and maint. Take care!

 

If you can't plug in 80% of the time, does plugging it in the other 20% of the time really cause problems? Just because it starts not plugged in at home doesn't mean it will or won't start at your work. Same thing if it does start when its plugged in. I plug mine in when it gets -20, and I still run the espar. I know my truck will start at -20 without it, but it won't run very well, and I want my truck to be able to run when I need it, not start it and baby it for 15 minutes before I can even get on the road.

 

Tate; I refer you to posts19,23,25,and 26 in this thread. That is why I don,t plug in the 20%. I am glade that you feel the need to plug in.

 

I love my cummins way too much to treat her like that

 

Ok guys. Are my rudely mistaken or did some of the 3rd gens come from the factory with no plug? I do have a friend that has an 04 not 04.5 and I have been all over that thing trying to find the plug! Even as far as to pull my truck up next to his and back track my wire and locate his. There is none!!!! I swear that I told him that he was a liar that he had no plug and I;ll be darn if I can find one. Which makes me wonder (I always plug mine in) if it is even necessary to have one?

 

I don't plug my truck in either. I don't have a place to do it and it often spends all day parked while we are skiing or something like that. It has started plenty of times below -20F. I do try to be as nice as I can to it and run synthetic oil and make a conscious effort to park it in the sun and combine trips so that it doesn't get cold started as many times.

My own view is that a lot of people put way too much money and energy into plugging in their trucks. If I had a place to plug in, I would use a timer and plug in once it got below 10F or so.

 

Trufling; You need to reread this whole thread. Including the title. It is "Why I don't plug in my cummins" Not" Why you should not plug in your cummins". I have not called anyone names nor have I made any personal attacks on anyone who has responded to this thread. I have debated with some in good sport and I hope they realize that. I will not attack you either. I felt that the rest of the story needed telling therefore I told it. Everyone reading this thread can make their own choices but at least they know the whole story. That is that these trucks don't need to be pluged in to start well and be dependable. And if I new how I would underline need.

 

Guess i would rather have my truck get me to work and not start on the way home, when i can do something about it without worring about being late.

 

Now Lifer.......I hope you treat your wife better than your truck

I admit you don't have to plug it in. However, we boys here in Ohio plug in our big trucks and they start so much better and we don't have to fool around with starting fluids. I'm talking our big dump trucks.

Now, I really like my Dodge and it gets good care and I like keeping it warm just like my woman. Hehe.

Personal preference. Now you gotta a nice truck with lots of mods....I see we can't change your mind but that's ok - I have that problem too can't teach an old horse new tricks.

Mike

 

I get cold air plug or not plugged. Plus got tired of yellow snakes chasing me down the road. Not awake enuff at six in the morning to remember to unplug.

 

Texan 1983; I have never been late because of a truck starting issue. I never cut it that close anyway. If I have a problem I have other mods of transport. Then I also know there is a problem that needs to be looked at that night and get corrected. Like I said earlier, minor inconvience . I am not in a parking lot somewhere with limited options and a major inconvience. If there is not another vehical to take instead of the cummins I can always plug it in then or start it another way. There again another minor inconvience. I will still know there is a problem to address after work and be prepared to tackle it again with a ninor incoveience. Also a minimum amount of money and time involved. It is not hard to burn up a couple days pay if something happens and it involves a tow and a repair shop away from home. I will add that this has never happened anyway because I have only had my truck not start 1 time and that was 3 days ago. I had nowhere I needed to be so I checked out the truck and fixed so it will be ready when I need it. I had it diegnosed in about an hr and went to get parts put them in the next day and we are ready to go. Minor inconvience and $32 in parts. It probably took the same amout or less time than if I had to take it to be fixed somewhere.