Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 14, 2025 ...

Cold temp start and aux compressor tank fill

January 09, 2015, 03:45:44 pm

Today,  I noticed the coach leaning to the left front and rear.  Have not started it in 60 days.  I is about 36 degrees here:  Is it ok to start the motor without block heater being on.  I feel certain it will start but will that cold start damage anything?  AND is it possible to turn on the aux compressor and flip the tank switch to fill the leveling tank? and doing so would not need to crank the engine.
Anyone got any thoughts on this?  If I crank it it will take at least 30 minutes for temps to be up and to cut it off.  DAN

Quote Selected

Re: Cold temp start and aux compressor tank fill

Reply #1 – January 09, 2015, 03:52:20 pm

I don't see any problem with starting the engine in 36 deg. weather without block heater.  If the batteries are charged shouldn't be an issue.  Do you leave your coach leveled, or travel height? If you are in a level spot you may want to consider dumping the air.

Quote Selected

Re: Cold temp start and aux compressor tank fill

Reply #2 – January 09, 2015, 03:56:24 pm

Jerry:  It is in storage and would be in travel mode if air is up.  But gauges show nothing but when I crank will come up in minutes and level to green light.  Aux compressor is turned off while in storage.  I keep a battery tender on the cranking batteries when in storage.  DAN

Quote Selected

Re: Cold temp start and aux compressor tank fill

Reply #3 – January 09, 2015, 04:23:09 pm

If the coach is plugged in, then I would always preheat the engine below 40 degrees. Why take a chance starting it cold if you have it plugged in? Not like you are going to a fire if you know what I mean. An ounce of prevention is surely worth it. This is what I did with driving buses over the road for years.
Bob

Quote Selected

Re: Cold temp start and aux compressor tank fill

Reply #4 – January 09, 2015, 07:59:21 pm

Turn on the aux compressor and turn the key switch to on and turn on the hwh panel and relevel the coach. Should not be necessary to start the engine. As was previously stated, could also just lower the high side.

Quote Selected

Re: Cold temp start and aux compressor tank fill

Reply #5 – January 09, 2015, 11:27:35 pm

Ron:  Tks for the input will try that.  DAN

Quote Selected