32degrees and way below zero temperature.

[504RP]

How do those of you who live where the temperature averages 32 Fahrenheit and below zero during most of the winter deal with starting your automobiles, tractors and other equipment ? I know without keeping engines and the oil warm it could at the very least be hard getting them started. And would think could damage engines without at least a heater block to keep the oil warm and thin to lubricate the engine.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Turn the key and goto work.

Gas engines are no biggy and really dont require anything different.

Diesels need good batteries, clean connections, and treated fuel. Things without glow plugs/grid heaters need to be plugged in when it's cold. Things with glow plug/grid heaters dont always need to be plugged in but it is always easier on them to be plugged in.

 

[SBMF 2015]

As long as the power stays on it's pretty routine. Plug them in and they'll start.
I fight way more with automatic drinkers than things with engines.

 

[504RP]

As long as the power stays on it's pretty routine. Plug them in and they'll start.
I fight way more with automatic drinkers than things with engines.

I am wondering the long term effects of cold starting engines in below freezing temperatures. Because unless something like a block heater is used before starting the engine. The oil is going to be thick and won't be able to lubricate the engine as good as it would be once the oil heats up and wears down. I know the engine will go ahead and start when it's cold. It's that 30 to 45 minutes of run time while the oil is still thick that I am concerned about over time.

 

[mwj]

I think you are worrying over nothing. If it were below -20 it could cause problems if you had the wrong oil. The days of straight 30 wt oil are long gone.

 

[moses388]

The oil is going to be thick and won't be able to lubricate the engine as good

Refer to your owner's manual. My newer vehicle says 5W-20 oil for summer and 0W-20 oil for winter. I stopped switching oil. I just run 5W-20 oil since it's not my daily driver vehicle anymore. It has an engine block heater, but I only plug in when it's under 10F. I have heaters on everything (gas & diesel) that needs to run in the winter. The old gas tractor has to be plugged in when the temp reaches 20's. The old diesel tractor has to be plugged in when the temp reaches 30's. Run 15W-40 oil in all diesels except the 1825B. Run 5W-40 oil year round in the 1825B skidloader, because 15W-40 was too thick in the winter.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Your worrying too much. Plenty of logging/construction/farm equipment is started daily in subzero weather and it's very common to go 10k+ hours without touching an engine.

If your using the right oil it won't be "thick for 30-45 minutes". Within minutes of starting it is warming and thinning down. Get a manual oil pressure gauge on an engine and watch how quick the pressure gets to normal operating level even when cold.

 

[Nick Wagner]

I am wondering the long term effects of cold starting engines in below freezing temperatures. Because unless something like a block heater is used before starting the engine. The oil is going to be thick and won't be able to lubricate the engine as good as it would be once the oil heats up and wears down. I know the engine will go ahead and start when it's cold. It's that 30 to 45 minutes of run time while the oil is still thick that I am concerned about over time.

I use a synthetic 5-40 or 0-40, forget which, in the winter. Really helps cold starting. My chore tractor will fire right up down to about zero, let it warm up a few minutes, then take it easy, run 1100-1200 RPMs until warm. It depends on the engine though. My 98 Cummins pickup hates cold starts, much better to first plug it in for an hour or so.

 

[504RP]

I use a synthetic 5-40 or 0-40, forget which, in the winter. Really helps cold starting. My chore tractor will fire right up down to about zero, let it warm up a few minutes, then take it easy, run 1100-1200 RPMs until warm. It depends on the engine though. My 98 Cummins pickup hates cold starts, much better to first plug it in for an hour or so.

Mine is a 2005 5.9 Cummins. It's been a good truck. Have 216,000 miles on it.

 

[Travlr]

Mine is a 2005 5.9 Cummins. It's been a good truck. Have 216,000 miles on it.

Put your location on your profile so we know why you're worried. I've needed block heaters and starting fluid to get construction equipment going if it's cold enough. Generally, if you have a decent battery a gas engine will start easy enough in -40. But If I know it's going to be really cold I generally run a drop light out and put it close to or under the oil pan and park somewhere the wind is minimal. I've had block heaters and such but really don't think they are very effective or reliable. A good battery is more important than anything else.

 

[Rancher]

My tractors are all diesel and on;y use the skidsteer and backhoe in winter. I have 1000wt tank heaters on them and they start ok down to about 10 above. Any colder an hour plugged in and away we go

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Circulating tank heaters are about as good as it gets for grid power engine heaters.

If you have a piece of equipment away from power a Webasto style coolant heater is as good as it gets. Used to start my logging equipment daily even when it was -40.

 

[Nick Wagner]

Mine is a 2005 5.9 Cummins. It's been a good truck. Have 216,000 miles on it.

Approaching

Mine is a 2005 5.9 Cummins. It's been a good truck. Have 216,000 miles on it.

Mine's approaching 400,000 and the doors are in danger of falling off. Sure runs good though.

 

[SBMF 2015]

Used to start my logging equipment daily even when it was -40.

Brother in Law has 10' hydraulic hoses with quick couplers plumbed into his Cummins. Skidder has short hoses. Hook them together and warm up the skidder. Pretty cool!

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Spit swappers as they are called used to be common on logging and construction equipment.

Now with 10 different flavors of coolants, various dissimilar metals, and expensive sensors and computers nobody that I know of uses them anymore.

 

[504RP]

Approaching

Mine's approaching 400,000 and the doors are in danger of falling off. Sure runs good though.

Is yours the 5.9 with the NVD 6 speed transmission ?

 

[Silver]

Spit swappers as they are called used to be common on logging and construction equipment.

Now with 10 different flavors of coolants, various dissimilar metals, and expensive sensors and computers nobody that I know of uses them anymore.

We managed to crack cylinder heads using this setup back in the day.
Wabasto or Proheat are excellent for cold weather off grid starting for sure. I know that no matter if it's 50 below I can run the Webasto on my excavator for 30 minutes and it's toasty warm before I turn the key.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

We managed to crack cylinder heads using this setup back in the day.

Yep many a cracked head or block on either vehicle back in the day. But you could also throw a head on a JD 440 skidder or a 350 chevy for a couple hundred bucks from the bone yard.

Now there is no such thing as a hundred dollar repair. Aluminum heads aren't forgiving either.

Only issue with Webasto/Proheats is they sometimes fail to run, gel up, and require periodic maintaince and cleaning. I used to completely disassemble and clean my 2 Webastos at the start of winter and sometimes halfway thru if we had some warm weather.

Now since I don't have a daily need for "off grid" engine heating I just take the little Honda suitcase generator to the equipment and plug it in when needed.

 

[Nick Wagner]

Is yours the 5.9 with the NVD 6 speed transmission ?

5 speed manual, same transmission as my 98 GMC, don't remember manufacturer.

 

[Rmc]

It's all about maintenance and proper preparation. Engine heaters , proper antifreeze mixture, proper fuel , and fluids for the job .