Starting cold engine

[erickally]

I have been turning off the truck when I am sleeping. I am over the road so I don't have anywhere to plug the truck in most times and the temperatures have been dropping. When I get up in the morning the truck starts, but then the engine sounds sick, rough, and not right. The outside temperature has ranged from about 40 to about 30. She acts better once she warms up. 1998 KW T600 Detroit engine. I have a few questions.

1. How bad is this for the engine?
2. Is there a way of plugging in the block, using an inverter? How big of an inverter would I need?
3. Would it be less wear on the engine to idle it while I sleep?

any other suggestions or comments to my dilemma are welcome.
Thank you

[allan5oh]

You could get an espar engine heater. How do you stay warm yourself?

Idling a diesel engine is about the worst thing you can do to it.

I wouldn't worry about it, it clears up after a few minutes right? Detroits were never good at cold starting.

[solo379]

1. How bad is this for the engine?
2. Is there a way of plugging in the block, using an inverter? How big of an inverter would I need?
3. Would it be less wear on the engine to idle it while I sleep?

1) It's definitely not good, "cold start", puts a lot of pressure on an engine.

2) Never heard of it, and don't think it's usable, cause it's will drain your battery's, real fast...

3) Well, can't say for sure, but everything, is a compromise, personally, i shot it of when 30, and above, and live it running at below 30...

i shot it of when 30, and above,
and live it running at below 30...

I'll translate..

I SHUT it OFF when 30 and above.
and LEAVE it running at, OR below 30

[erickally]

I understood without the translation, but thanks for the heads up in case I was lost.

I have a heating pad on my bunk, I stay under covers on the pad and I stay warm (except for my head sometimes). Yes, it clears up after a few minutes (when the engine warms up) 1mil mile engine too.... Not just the wear on the engine but of course the cost is a factor, but engine repair costs more than fuel....... :sad:

[solo379]

Can't you do anything right? That "OR", was out of contest!

I guess, you are multitalented, you are a pilot, truck driver, spell checker, translator...and whatever else you do!

Perhaps you even know, what the word "DILETTANTE" means? :P

That "OR", was out of contest!

Not sure what out of CONTEST means?

[solo379]

Not sure what out of CONTEST means?

Really? You are not sure of something? Than probably, there is a hope for you!

[Deus]

Context!!!

Geez sometimes it is feast or phantom around here.

[marcel27208]

Context!!!

Geez sometimes it is feast or phantom around here.

feast or FATHOM?????

Sorry! I guess too much of the Rev has rubbed off on me.

[special k]

Typical Detroit, don't worry about the cold starting. Go inside and have breakfast while it's rattling and banging away so you don't have to hear it LOL BTW a block heater uses about 1800 watts so if you get an 1800 wattt or bigger inverter I guess it would work. Who knows how long though. I shut mine off until I can't sleep from the cold thats about 15 degrees for me.It works like an alarm for me tells me when to go back to work LOL

[bob h]

I have been turning off the truck when I am sleeping. I am over the road so I don't have anywhere to plug the truck in most times and the temperatures have been dropping. When I get up in the morning the truck starts, but then the engine sounds sick, rough, and not right. The outside temperature has ranged from about 40 to about 30. She acts better once she warms up. 1998 KW T600 Detroit engine. I have a few questions.

1. How bad is this for the engine?
2. Is there a way of plugging in the block, using an inverter? How big of an inverter would I need?
3. Would it be less wear on the engine to idle it while I sleep?

any other suggestions or comments to my dilemma are welcome.
Thank you

DDC has a feature called "half-engine"; when the engine is started below a set ambient temperature, it will run on one bank (3 cylinders) while it starts to warm the engine. The extra load on these 3 cyls helps the engine warm more quickly... does it have this feature enabled? 30 or 40 shouldn't cause drastic cold running issues.

1. If it's 1/2 engine, it's normal, if not then there may be other problems... is it STRICTLY temperature dependant? Can you give a better explanation of the engine operation?

2. Reserve your battery power for cranking.

3. Your engine SHOULD NOT be left running on base idle, this will cause cylinder glazing, carboning, and soot loading. If you must idle your engine, bump it up to 1,000rpms. It increases fuel consumption but stops the base engine issues that come with cold engine operating temperature... especially w/ddc.

Is it smoking during this event???

[xzostd1]

I'll be going to Green Bay (go Packers) on Mon. to buy a Bunk heater and separate coolant heater combo, they quoted $1700. (carry out)

Its been mentioned before but they really work very well. I will guess that if your truck doesn't start in the cold just one event could potentially cost the same as the coolant heater ( combining repair cost and lost revenue). You could also freeze to death in the UP :shock:
Bill

[Dejanh]

I'll be going to Green Bay (go Packers) on Mon. to buy a Bunk heater and separate coolant heater combo, they quoted $1700. (carry out)

Its been mentioned before but they really work very well. I will guess that if your truck doesn't start in the cold just one event could potentially cost the same as the coolant heater ( combining repair cost and lost revenue). You could also freeze to death in the UP :shock:
Bill

Can you elaborate on where you got that, or is it a secret?

[marcel27208]

I'll be going to Green Bay (go Packers) on Mon. to buy a Bunk heater and separate coolant heater combo, they quoted $1700. (carry out)

Its been mentioned before but they really work very well. I will guess that if your truck doesn't start in the cold just one event could potentially cost the same as the coolant heater ( combining repair cost and lost revenue). You could also freeze to death in the UP :shock:
Bill

Can you elaborate on where you got that, or is it a secret?

i talked to another Schneider o/o down here in greensboro and he was saying he was going to green bay to get those items also??? is there something in green bay that i dont know about

[bob h]

I'll be going to Green Bay (go Packers) on Mon. to buy a Bunk heater and separate coolant heater combo, they quoted $1700. (carry out)

Its been mentioned before but they really work very well. I will guess that if your truck doesn't start in the cold just one event could potentially cost the same as the coolant heater ( combining repair cost and lost revenue). You could also freeze to death in the UP :shock:
Bill

It'll pay for itself in fuel savings over a couple of years... even without a "stranded on the side of the road" event.

[Teal 95 KW]

Context!!!

Geez sometimes it is feast or phantom around here.

feast or FATHOM?????

You people make my head hurt.

It's feast or FAMINE.

[Deus]

Context!!!

Geez sometimes it is feast or phantom around here.

feast or FATHOM?????

You people make my head hurt.

It's feast or FAMINE.

That was the point! Gosh....

[yoopr]

I'll be going to Green Bay (go Packers) on Mon. to buy a Bunk heater and separate coolant heater combo, they quoted $1700. (carry out)

Its been mentioned before but they really work very well. I will guess that if your truck doesn't start in the cold just one event could potentially cost the same as the coolant heater ( combining repair cost and lost revenue). You could also freeze to death in the UP :shock:
Bill

Can you elaborate on where you got that, or is it a secret?

i talked to another Schneider o/o down here in greensboro and he was saying he was going to green bay to get those items also??? is there something in green bay that i dont know about

Green Bay Kenworth probably has them-They have pretty much anything you need.