'05 diesel VERY cold winter starting question

oldryder · Oct 28, 2013

Got an '05 RAM this summer. Like it a lot.

I live in MN where we usually get several days each winter when overnight lows are 20 below zero or worse. No room in garage for the truck.

I've had 7.3L fords in the past and all I ever had to do with them is cycle the glow plugs twice to start in severe cold. A block heater was not required.

Any tricks to starting the Cummins in similar conditions. I know to keep batteries in good condition and have winterized fuel.

thx in advance for advice. Mark in MN

mjd91 · Oct 28, 2013

Plug it in.

MegaMouseGW · Oct 28, 2013

Get a block heater and use it. It will do a lot towards any starting problems you might have.

mjd91 · Oct 28, 2013

And cycle the grid heater a couple times.

dogcar3 · Oct 28, 2013

Build a heated shop :cheers:

Stangshcky12 · Oct 28, 2013

Cycle the grid heater twice as it should start
5w40 might not be a bad idea or plugging it into a timer set maybe 2 hours before you leave
These trucks use 750w heaters and theres no reason to plug it in the entire night
We don't see anything that low but it should still start even without being plugged it it just won't like it that much

oldryder · Oct 28, 2013

THx for replies. " it just won't like it that much" - yea, the 7.3L didn't like the cold much either. rattled like crazy for a couple of minutes after 1st starting in the cold.

when it's really cold I do try to plug it in but I don't always have that option.

LETHAL GTS · Oct 28, 2013

Espar! When I get enough money together I am installing one. Espar = self contained diesel fired recirculating block heater.
Park it in the middle of tim buck two, set the timer for 2 hours before you want to start it. Come out windows are clear and coolant is warm.

Cthulhu · Oct 29, 2013

I spent 7 years in Northern Alberta, 3 with my 5.9 Cummins... At below -30C, you definitely need to plug it in, anything above that, if you plug it in, it'll be happier when it start it, although if you don't the recommendations to run the grid heater a couple/few times before starting will do you fine. Get your batteries checked too... nothing will kill your truck faster than a cracked/broken battery plate.

oldryder · Oct 29, 2013

everyone, thx. sounds like it'll be fine if I treat it the same way I did the 7.3l.

'05 diesel VERY cold winter starting question

oldryder

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mjd91

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MegaMouseGW

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mjd91

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dogcar3

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Stangshcky12

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oldryder

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LETHAL GTS

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Cthulhu

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oldryder

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