Re: Block Heater Reply #25 – November 04, 2013, 11:05:54 am If your not plugged in, you block heater isn't going to turn on unless the generator is running. If you block heater isn't working and you want to go and it is under x degrees, there is no way your engine will start unless you some how heat it up or use starting fluid in the intake. I say "heat it up", because that is exactly what my father in law did the day he left NYS for good. Blizzard of 1977 and his International cab over with a Cummins Formula 290 would not start and it was no where near a electrical outlet. He got a child's aluminum flying saucer (think round sled) and filled it with charcoal and light the charcoal, which he slid under the engine. It was like minus 20 degrees, or lower, and really blowing. He went home to get warmed up and went back to the tractor about a 45 minutes to a hour later. That burning charcoal got the engine warm enough that it would start. He left NYS that day for Florida and never came back til after he died.Diesels are funny things. I had one that would start, without assistance, in the low twenties, and another that needed the block heater when it just looked cold. Company I worked for always had starting fluid spray cans available for when someone forgot to plug in their block heater. My understanding is that the starting fluid of today is no where near as volatile as yesterdays ether. Do I use starting fluid - not if I can help it!!! And when it comes to starting a diesel, I think the old gasoline powered Webasto hot box was the way to go. Fire that heater up and it heated the anti-freeze and got is circulating thru your diesel's block, and she would start up in no time. Also good for popping jiffy popcorn with the exhaust. Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Reply #26 – November 05, 2013, 06:25:00 am I just turn on the block heater at 50 or so just makes things easier on batteries and starters. Mine is one of those engines that just doesn't like cold weather, been like that since I have owned it. Grid heater works, new positive and negative cables to the starter, rebuilt starter. One of these days I am going to change the battery rack and put 2 group 31 AGM's 1150 CCA's in place of the optima's, or put a reduction type starter on it. Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Reply #27 – November 05, 2013, 09:25:17 am Quote. He got a child's aluminum flying saucer (think round sled) and filled it with charcoal and light the charcoal, which he slid under the engine. Reminds me of Arturo who I knew years ago. It was cold and his truck wouldn't start. It was full of merchandise which he needed to deliver to his vendors that day. What to do? Well, the solution Arturo seized upon was to build a small fire under the oil pan. Unfortunately, the dry grass in that area provided a little more fuel than Arturo anticipated and... I think you can guess how it turned out.jor Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Reply #28 – November 06, 2013, 12:02:41 am Very interesting thread...If you where facing temps in the teens and no source of electricity except for the generator. But you have Aqua-hot.... what would be the correct procedure for warming up an M11 enough to start. Then what kind of temps should I reach before pulling out and jumping straight on the freeway. Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Reply #29 – November 06, 2013, 02:06:33 am I would have the Aqua Hot going with the switch for the engine heat ON for maybe an hour or more before starting, then allow the engine to reach 100f, then ease out into the world, not jump on the throttle until temp showed in the 150+ range. That is ME, but I have better luck with engines than some.In the end you have to make your own choice. Are you in that big hurry or do you want to take care of your engine.My ISM starts fine without Aqua Hot nor block heater at 30f, and I do not move it until temp shows the 100+, at slow non pushing it speed. Another nice part of the VMSpc, see temps. Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Reply #30 – November 06, 2013, 06:55:42 pm Our Detroit is pretty cold blooded under 40 degrees. It smokes like crazy for several minutes until all six cylinders kick in, a little embarrassing. Under 32 degrees I have to use the block heater over night before starting in the cold morning. sing the block heater for an hour or two is useless with the placement of the block heater on the Detroit. With that said, Old Reliable has started in temps as low as 7 degrees when we got surprised in Amarillo two years ago. It was a bit of a struggle but after cranking for about 15 seconds and three tries it took off. I now carry a halogen shop light to heat the oil pan in a pinch. So far the genie has never failed us at any temp. Our 1993, U225 with a Cummins 5.9 also started in temps down to 4 degrees but I had the block heater on over night and I did use the ether. It did not have a pre-heater on the engine. The ether made it start right up with two series 31 lead acid batteries. Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Reply #31 – November 06, 2013, 08:13:30 pm When I am in cold weather under 30 degrees, I use the aqua hot engine heat and it starts right up. I turn it on the night before we are to leave Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Reply #32 – November 06, 2013, 08:33:00 pm I laugh, the Aqua Hot system is right up there with the cheese slicer for how sweet it is. Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Reply #33 – November 06, 2013, 08:57:50 pm We love our aqua hot all the time Quote Selected
Re: Block Heater Reply #34 – November 06, 2013, 08:58:52 pm Thanks...just what I needed to know. Quote Selected
Topic: Block Heater