Why I Never Plug The Truck In During Winter

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Burky, Dec 21, 2007.

  1. Burky

    Burky Road Train Member

    We specced these heater units on all of our newer trucks. With the idling time it cut out last winter, I am sure that it has long since paid for itself in the 215k miles I have driven the truck. Figure what the fuel would cost to idle in winter, much less the cost of the wear on the trucks engine from prolonged idling, and the investment is well worth it. I saw these units for sale on the east coast last year, for a little over 800 dollars cash and carry price. A decent mechainc can install one in about 3 hours of work.


    And Joe, I am a spoiled "Flour" hauler, not a flower hauler.
     
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  3. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    I was going to, and still might start a thread on cold weather starting as Im wondering if there is a best way to do it.

    I have a Centry S/T with a 60 series in there. Dang thing sucks starting in the winter. Of course, I don't know how a 'good sounding' truck sounds like...but this thing....Im telling you it doesnt sound good, lol. I went tonight to fire it up and let it run since I hadnt driven it today...barely cranked over and took about a good 20 or so seconds before it started running smoothly at a high idle.

    We have the webasto in cab heater...but not the coolant one...that would be nice though. Since I dont live in the truck, I dont use the webasto much at all. I had the idea last week of letting it run when i turned the truck off at my longer stops...but it takes a while to start up, and then turn off and all...kind of silly unless Im going to be parked for a while.

    Turns out Im not going back to work until Thursday so the trucks going to sit for a while until then. Hope she fires up, or Im in trouble, lol.
     
  4. Burky

    Burky Road Train Member

    If the truck is barely cranking over, then the first thing I would do is have the condition of the batteries checked out. if the batteries are not 100%, then starting the truck can be a nightmare. Have he shop check them, and if they need to be replaced, now is the time to do it, not later in the winter when they have been drawn against really hard.

    Now, assuming that the batteries are up to speed, and it's merely a matter of starting the truck in cold weather, then here is a trick that I have ued with success in the past. I crank the truck over for about 4-5 secomnds, and if It doesn;t feel to me like it is going to fire quickly, I stop cranking. Then I take out my can of starting fluid, or WD 40, and I give the truck a precautionary snort of it as close to the intake as possible. On older trucks, there used to be a small hole in the intake air piping past the air filter, used for spraying ether, but a good sized shot into the air foilter area will still work. Then I go back to the key and crank the truck, and it fires up.

    The key here is that you don't want to automatically give the shot before turning it over, because the shot will be wasted. You want to spin the engine for a few seconds, get it loosened up from it's winter's sleep, and then give it a shot.

    I know some people don;t like to use ether on an engine, and I am aware of the mechanical reasons for not doing so. But, if you have to start a cold truck, you need to do this before the batteries have a chance to get weak. obviously, the best solution is plugging in the truck, or a pre heating system like I have, but for a cold truck, the "spin and snort" method is the best alternative I have ever found.
     
  5. Powell-Peralta

    Powell-Peralta Road Train Member

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    Jul 17, 2007
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    (i'd like to discuss cold weather starting in a sec. but first)

    Good for you. What is involved in installing the webasco system?

    i'm thinking of, if possible, making a non-permanent installation; i'm a company driver.

    i understand that feeding diesel fuel into the cab is not a good idea. Therefore i propose a sort of window adapter that the unit could be installed on/in sort of like what idle-aire uses. The fuel would be drawn from the tank using a special cap (fuel line would feed thru cap). In this way, with the unit physically outside the truck, there would also be no exhaust issues. For electricity, we could use the lighter socket? Or, even a separate battery used just for this purpose?


    i wouldn't need the coolant heater, or programing capabilites; i would only use this for sleeping.
     
  6. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    Burky,
    Thanks for the advice...will have to get a can of starting fluid. Im just paranoid as I've been told spraying starter fluid in there isn't a good idea as there is a chance of 'kaboom.' Might just have to try it anyways though. Also...I'll have the shop take a look at the truck next time its in...need to figure out when that might be. Im in the boonies so I don't go to the companies shop, but someone they contract with.

    Ryan


     
  7. witchwaywest

    witchwaywest Medium Load Member

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    Dec 8, 2007
    Monroe New York
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    Wow, things have changed.Motel 6 was 12.95 per night.Pre heater's did not exist.I commend the the new drivers coming into the work force.New tech has made life in trucking a little bit easier than when I started.I lived in a box.Cab over Kenworth.Good motor,450 cummins,good pull but lacking the ammenties of todays rigs.It's a good and honorable job driving,it may not pay much,but you will sleep good at night, knowing you earned every penny.Happy Holidays to all.
     
  8. Etosha

    Etosha World Citizen

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    Aug 19, 2007
    Edmonton, AB
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    Good info Burky, and its exactly the remedy I use in the cold weather. I learned quickly that if the batteries run down, the mechanic comes, charges the battery and sprays ether... so now I avoid step 2... calling the mechanic.

    Ziggy, make sure your can of ether is nowhere to be found when your truck goes in for any servicing. :biggrin_25524: I usually keep my can in my back pack so its at room temperature when I need to spray the ether, rather than it being at the same temp as the engine (0F of late)!
     
  9. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    Good idea...although Im having a hard time getting the rent-a-mechs to fix what i want them to anyways. I had a note on the dash telling them what i wanted them to look at / fix. Didn't even see it. I guess I will have to do what my boss told me...and tape the sucker to the steering wheel.

    Actually, my boss was the one who recommended the starting fluid idea. He kept asking me if I could bring the truck home and I can't...so he said the starting fluid might work. But yeah...will make sure to keep that hidden or take it out when I bring the truck in for service.
     
  10. Etosha

    Etosha World Citizen

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    Aug 19, 2007
    Edmonton, AB
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    If your boss is OK with it, then you are OK. Some operations, using ether is cause for instant dismissal!
     
  11. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    lol jeesh you are fast.

    Well I don't have it written in writing and with my luck, the truck will catch on fire or something and he might say he didn't mention it. I have been told I think in training not to use the fluid. Im going to get the wife to bring the camera so I can record how bad it sounds.....eek.
     
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