Detroit Diesel Cold Weather Start...

Gary '79 5C · January 21, 2007, 04:59:08 PM

I have a DD 6V92T in a 5C. Runs great without problems. I keep it in a heated buidling ( 45 Deg F) I started it yesterday, first time in 30 days, with some hesitation and some white smoke. The smoke stopped in about 3 -4 minutes. I am wondering at what temperatures should I be plugging in the block heater. I would not want to leave it in much longer than 10 hours, so what is the heat up time on the block heaters if the ambient is about 45 deg??
I run back and forth to FLA. I have a Webasto heater which runs the heated water (coolant) thru the block and coach both. I have not had to plug the block heater in as of yet.
I am just wondering If the coach was outside I guess at 40 - 32 deg I should be plugging the engine in ? ? This the first diesel without glowplugs for me. Had/Have (4) diesel MBz's.

Thanks
Gary

Buffalo SpaceShip · January 21, 2007, 05:44:32 PM

Gary, your Webasto should be able to preheat the engine w/o using the block heater. Should be faster than a block heater, too. If you do choose to use the block heater, an hour should be sufficient for only 45deg. 32deg. needs about two hours and if it gets down to zero deg., anywhere from 4 hours to overnight (dunno where you live).

HTH,
Brian B.

Dallas · January 21, 2007, 05:50:22 PM

Geez,

If it won't start on it's own at 32° it has more problems than just cold weather.

I never even use to plug my detroits in unless it was down in the 20's.

The white smoke is normal for a cold engine, as long as it clears up in a short time.

Just my pair o' pennies

Dallas

Barn Owl · January 21, 2007, 06:42:50 PM

I just installed a block heater in my bus because it is probably tired enough to need it. What a difference it makes! I spoke to the tech for Kat heaters and it doesn't hurt anything to leave them plugged up. Just don't leave them on when the engine is running. I have used a block heater for years in my tractor and pickup. It is much easier on the motor to start it warm. You don't get as much unburnt fuel washing down your liners into the crankcase. I had an oil analyses done and spoke to the lab that did the test. They said that running an engine cold accelerates engine wear and oil breakdown faster than just about anything. The closer the engine is to its operating temperature when started the better.

pvcces · January 21, 2007, 10:33:59 PM

Hi, Gary.

Many of the turbocharged engines have lower compression than the non turboed units. If yours is one of those, it's liable to need heat or ether if you get much below 40 degrees.

Above freezing temperatures shouldn't require more than an hour of heating for a fairly clean start. Experiment; then you'll know.

An engine in good condition with high compression will likely start into the 20s; warming a little will make it easier and cleaner.

It's been my experience that you get less smoke if you slow idle the engine after starting until the smoke is gone. With every misfire, there is unburned fuel spraying onto the liner walls.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey

TomC · January 22, 2007, 08:55:57 AM

When I was driving my truck cross country, I had full facilities in the sleeper. I also had a 6.5 gasoline commercial Onan that had a PTO shaft coming out the back that I powered the freon compressor for the AC in the sleeper. I also had a electric block heater on the Cat 3406B. Whenever the gen was running the block heater was on, no matter what the temp-mainly to keep a load on the gasoline engine of the generator. I know it worked, since I got over 12,000hrs out of my first gen. Also hooked into the cooling system of the truck was an Arctic Fox (pipe that loops into the fuel tank to carry engine coolant to keep the fuel from freezing). I had a small 120v water pump so that when the block heater was on, the water pump also circulated the warm coolant through the fuel tank. On the worst of nights (your basic blizzards) it would only keep the engine luke warm, but that's enough. Those with AquaHot, that definitely has more BTU's. Also, the Arctic Fox looped through the water tank on the truck since it was just a 75gal fuel tank on the outside. When running all day, would have 75 gal of warm water at the end of the day-I also had a 10gal electric water heater. Using the block heater all night is a good thing. It is much better to keep the engine warm, than letting it get cold and try to heat it up again. Good Luck, TomC

trailblazer2 · January 22, 2007, 05:29:39 PM

Gary;
I have a 6-v92 T with the DDEC,Mine will hesitate to start if it gets below 55 degrees. These are low compression engines designed to burn clean! I installed a Block heater,thereby eliminating this problem. I usually plug it up about one to one and a half hours before cranking it,and she starts rite up. Its also a good way to wake up that 40 weight oil!The Block heaters can be found on E-bay sometimes for less than $35.00
Bill

Gary '79 5C · January 23, 2007, 02:47:07 AM

Thanks All...
I will try to plug the engine in (1) hour before start, Always something to do on a bus for that hour...
It sits indoors so it is easier to plug in VS running the Webasto, However when I am on the road, using the Webasto I have never had so much as a hesitation starting the beast.
Also, I am surprised that the compression is lower on the Turbo 6V92 ?? Have not reasoned that out as to how they anage the lower compression, but I will think that one over.
Another problem I need to troubleshoot is the Webasto now has a 12V drain on the battery bank, I need to switch it off, otherwise it will draw down the batteries. This is with the Webasto OFF. The feed is fused, so the drain is small.
Any suggestions....

Thanks