Winter starting of Cat C12 in a '2000 Freightliner FLD

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by ichudov, Oct 11, 2014.

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  1. Oct 11, 2014 #1
    ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    We just bought a "new" (for us) Freightliner FLD daycab, made in 2000.

    396,000 miles, I paid 7,500 for it. This is an upgrade over a 1985 Ford LNT9000 that we have now, which runs but has a smaller engine.

    We are in Illinois. Last winter was bad, with temperatures sometimes below 0F.

    It does not have either glow plugs or ether injection and I was wondering, how is it like when you start those C12 engines in winter.

    The truck does have an electric block heater, but I want to know, if we forgot to plug it in, will we be totally screwed or what?

    Thanks
     
    ichudov, Oct 11, 2014
    ichudov, Oct 11, 2014
    #1
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  3. Oct 11, 2014 #2
    Pool6710

    Pool6710 Medium Load Member

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    My c12 With fresh batteries it will start down to about 26* not plugged in but it's not pretty. Plugged in it starts very well till -15. Below that it's a struggle but it will start. At -28 this year was the first day my truck never started plugged in. I live in mn and plug in every night (local work) when temps go below 25.
     
    Pool6710, Oct 11, 2014
    Pool6710, Oct 11, 2014
    #2
    ichudov Thanks this.
  4. Oct 11, 2014 #3
    mizdageeragn

    mizdageeragn Medium Load Member

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    With the risk of your being towed in to get the truck thawed out so it will start I STRONGLY recommend you do NOT forget to plug in that block heater!
     
    mizdageeragn, Oct 11, 2014
    mizdageeragn, Oct 11, 2014
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    ichudov Thanks this.
  5. Oct 11, 2014 #4
    ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    OK, guys, thanks. We had some struggles last winter with the Ford and I would really like to have everything lined up for cold climate.

    What about those diesel fuel powered heaters, such as Webasto or Espar Hydronic? I know that they will cost about 1.5k installed, but I also know that a couple of tow bills or wasted fuel/batteries/heartburn would make it worth it. What do you think?
     
    ichudov, Oct 11, 2014
    ichudov, Oct 11, 2014
    #4
  7. Oct 11, 2014 #5
    Pool6710

    Pool6710 Medium Load Member

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    I park in my driveway every night, all I use is a block heater and fuel up only from the local TA with no additives. I'm in north central Minnesota. You shouldn't have a problem with it starting if you plug it in and the stats are good.
     
    Pool6710, Oct 11, 2014
    Pool6710, Oct 11, 2014
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    ichudov Thanks this.
  8. Oct 11, 2014 #6
    Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    There has not been an engine I have used since 1982 that has not had a block heater AND a oil pan heater. Warm block, warm oil, and you have a great starting engine down to -30F. No bucking, no stalling. Starts like a cool summer morning. These things are cheap, easy to install, and pay for themselves quickly. For the oil pans on my class 8 stuff, I have grown fond of a heater rod that replaces one of the pan plugs. The heater element is in direct contact with the oil in the pan and goes about 8" into the sump. One can also use one of the pad type that attach to the bottom of the pan. About 500w to power a good pan heater for a 12L - 16L engine.

    While the block heater is imperative, good flowing oil at startup is equally critical. And warm oil flows quite nicely compared to oil that is at ambient outside temp. heck, a warm 15w40 will flow faster than a -20F 5w40 will. Saves a lot of wear on an engine on a very cold start up.

    I do this to all my personal vehicles, trucks, and ag tractors. Just one of the many things I learned during my 10 years in Alaska and still adhere to today. Iowa is not Alaska, but it can have some pretty nippy cold days in the winter.
     
    Cowpie1, Oct 11, 2014
    Cowpie1, Oct 11, 2014
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    ichudov Thanks this.
  9. Oct 11, 2014 #7
    ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    In our old Ford 9000, if we plug in the block heater, the entire block gets really warm and the truck starts like on a hot summer day.
     
    ichudov, Oct 11, 2014
    ichudov, Oct 11, 2014
    #7
  10. Oct 11, 2014 #8
    xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    I'm with cowpie on this one. Block heater and oil pan heater. Works great, unless you forget to plug it in. Happened once. Never a second time.
     
    xsetra, Oct 11, 2014
    xsetra, Oct 11, 2014
    #8
  11. Oct 11, 2014 #9
    Pool6710

    Pool6710 Medium Load Member

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    You could get away with a block heater to -15 and do a oil pan heater below that just to make sure. Just remember that's like 2800 watts to run
     
    Pool6710, Oct 11, 2014
    Pool6710, Oct 11, 2014
    #9
  12. Oct 11, 2014 #10
    ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    2,800 watts would be too much for a regular circuit breaker. This is where the diesel fired block heaters are great. Lots of heat input. And if the truck was not plugged in or electric is not available, the diesel fired heater would still work ok.
     
    ichudov, Oct 11, 2014
    ichudov, Oct 11, 2014
    #10
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