cold weather truck wont crank/start

Hook up jumper cables even a car will do,plug in eng. heater to inverter if poss. if no fuel treatment in tanks get some and pour into filters full/up, spin her over? Look for smoke out of EX.

 

My 2 cents worth,#1 get the fuel filters completly full,you can pour fuel treatment in them,then do what (baha)explained,and probably wouldn't hurt to give it a shot of ether,napa sells a quality can of ether!

 

Block heater is essential. The oil will be like tar in the cold weather, particularly if it's been sitting for a period. The fuel has likely gelled so a product like Rescue 911 (recommended by our service manager) should ungel the fuel. Save some of the product as it will be needed to mix in the filters as well. Don't overlook the batteries either, as they may not be up to the task anymore and could very well let you down again.

 

I just had this problem recently. Remember reading somewhere a Detroit needs to see 195 rpm before it will even try to fire up, if it's too slow to crank you do not have a chance. Let it charge for at least an hour, see if it cranks fast. If your current location is what it says on your profile and is in PA, the temperature map is showing you aren't under extreme cold and doesn't look like gelling should be an issue. Fill your fuel filter with fuel, and try to fire it up after letting it charge for a while. Good luck.

 

Usually with my century its voltage but u saying fuel filter is empty i,m thinking you moght have a fuel leak causing it to lose prime

 

Needs a jump. Sometimes the battery are to far gone to get it started. Also no fuel in the filter suggests that the fuel system is not tight and has a small leak that's why it lost its prime

 

I had a Southwind gasoline-fired preheater and a water-heated fuel warmer for parking in remote areas. Most company fleet tractors had block heaters. Chippewa equipment had 220-volt block heaters, and the Freightliner dealership at Ottawa, IL, installed a 220 outlet for us. With a Mack B model, I plugged in the block heater and kept the engine idling 24-7 in the coldest weather. Most companies and schools around here have hitching posts. At home with fleet equipment, I kept a battery charger on trickle charge 24-7. Also used ether. Routine is to spray ether first. Then, crank. Spray and crank. You have three chances to start the engine before the batteries are run down in coldest weather.

 

I had a southwind also. Those were great

 

It was crazy to pull into a gas station. The attendant would run out: "We don't sell diesel here!" I would answer, "All I want is a half gallon of gas."

In the spring, I would leave the Southwind at a shop in Detroit for overhaul. Then, in the fall I would start bugging the shop to finish the job and reinstall it.