So I’ve driven my grandpas diesel for years off and on, now I have it during winter. 2001 ram 2500 and I can start in mornings fine now that I got a cord for the heater. But after work I’m having trouble getting it started bc I have nowhere to plug in at work. Is there an additive for fuel I can use that might help or something?? Thank you in advance
Cold weather
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How cold it, and yes you can use a diesel fuel additive If you fuel is starting to gel up.Any auto parts store has it.
A fuel additive is not a substitute for a block heater.
2nd Gens are notoriously cold blooded, coldest I started my 2nd gen was -24*C without a plugin. That required several grid heater cycles and it just barely started.
If you cannot plugin and require a diesel I would suggest looking at an Espar or Webasto coolant heater. That is what I had.
2nd Gens are notoriously cold blooded, coldest I started my 2nd gen was -24*C without a plugin. That required several grid heater cycles and it just barely started.
If you cannot plugin and require a diesel I would suggest looking at an Espar or Webasto coolant heater. That is what I had.
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Any chance you have time to drive it 10 miles at lunch?
Several years ago we had a -20F cold snap for 5 days.
The block heater cord failed and I couldn't get another one.
We finally managed to start the truck.
We drove it 10 miles every 4 hours to keep it warm 'round the clock.
(and I was already using an anti-gel additive)
Several years ago we had a -20F cold snap for 5 days.
The block heater cord failed and I couldn't get another one.
We finally managed to start the truck.
We drove it 10 miles every 4 hours to keep it warm 'round the clock.
(and I was already using an anti-gel additive)
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How cold are we talking? I don't even use the grids until it gets it the 30's F. And I almost never plug my truck in. Cummins engines are easy cold starters in the winter compared to some others. My PSD was a hard cold starter. If you need to plug it in to start it I think you have some other issues unless we are talking sub zero temps. Battery/cable/starter condition and engine compression play a huge role in being able to start in the cold.
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Or buy a small generator at Harbor freight and use it to plug in. Agreed..additive won’t help start it if the air is to cold, additive help with keeping your fuel from gelling.
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The fuel treatment is to stop the fuel from jelling and causing a no-run situation.
Nothing to do with helping a cold start issue. (well sort of, if you have jelled fuel)
Lots of trucks are different as far as starts.
I threw my grids out 10 years ago as I found they are not needed....BUT,- i have ceramic topped pistons and i think this is what helps with "cold shorts".
Nothing to do with helping a cold start issue. (well sort of, if you have jelled fuel)
Lots of trucks are different as far as starts.
I threw my grids out 10 years ago as I found they are not needed....BUT,- i have ceramic topped pistons and i think this is what helps with "cold shorts".
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I think heated seats help with cold shorts. Unfortunately my truck doesn't have them.
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Argh , argh, argh...LOL
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You want answers, get back to us. You probably have issues other than block heater.
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I just swapped out my batteries, replacing the 3+ year old factory cells for 1025CCA off-label ones. She now spins over fairly well, after 10 hours of minus 28 degrees C without heater (parked on street near my office) and just one grid-heat cycle.
Right before xmas, on a -35 deg C day in Calgary, and after 8 hours outside on the street, I was seriously afeared she wouldn't start - the starter just draaaaaged. But she coughed into life and I swore to replace the batteries when I had a chance.
At home, she's plugged in overnight with the block heater running constantly. Coolant reads about 38 degrees C on my Edge-3 when I fire-up in the morning. 5 minutes at high-idle with the exhaust brake on and I have hot air from the blower - I still miss the heated seats and heated wheel of my old SLT gasser hemi though.
Right before xmas, on a -35 deg C day in Calgary, and after 8 hours outside on the street, I was seriously afeared she wouldn't start - the starter just draaaaaged. But she coughed into life and I swore to replace the batteries when I had a chance.
At home, she's plugged in overnight with the block heater running constantly. Coolant reads about 38 degrees C on my Edge-3 when I fire-up in the morning. 5 minutes at high-idle with the exhaust brake on and I have hot air from the blower - I still miss the heated seats and heated wheel of my old SLT gasser hemi though.
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So the new batteries are spinning it good but still not starring well? Have you tried cycling the grid heaters 2 or 3 times before cranking? Does the wait to start light come on immediately and stay on while grid heaters recycling before start?
In doing some reading It appears that you likely have a gel problem. Diesel 911 or other additive is needed. I do not know which one is best. Talk to truckers etc locally for best available there. Use more the colder it gets.
Follow label.
In doing some reading It appears that you likely have a gel problem. Diesel 911 or other additive is needed. I do not know which one is best. Talk to truckers etc locally for best available there. Use more the colder it gets.
Follow label.
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1,818 Posts
Verify proper voltage to grid heaters, verify both sides are working on the relays.
Verify the Grid is working as it should.
To "diesel " is the function of using heat to ignite the fuel charge.
For whatever reason, you are not getting it hot enough to get an EZ start.
If All else fails , do a compression test
Verify the Grid is working as it should.
To "diesel " is the function of using heat to ignite the fuel charge.
For whatever reason, you are not getting it hot enough to get an EZ start.
If All else fails , do a compression test
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