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Old 01-12-2018, 04:51 AM   #1
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Cranking LE's Cummins 360 Engine in Cold Weather?

I never thought that I would be needing this info for traveling in cold weather. But this year has been very different. I have seen posts about what to do to warm up the diesel engines prior to starting, but I need info for my particular engine and the LE model from Newmar. It will be in the mid to upper 20's on Monday morning as I head out to the NKK Tampa Rally.

What do I need to do prior to that morning and what do I do different on that morning to start the engine? Also are there any steps I need to take for anything else (mechanical, air systems, etc.)?
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Old 01-12-2018, 05:41 AM   #2
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2 days after bringing home the 2018 Ventana we went to DC.

It was bitterly cold, low teens, to start the engine i just turned the key started right up, gen-set i had to hold the button about 5 seconds it too started right up. Wanted to test the gen-set after all it's all new.

Just the damn recall concerning the light bar, hopefully after visiting the factory that will be fixed.

Me i would leave all the holding tanks empty and the MH winterized, meaning anti-freeze thru the whole system, if you have the external water option in the fridge door, i would leave the anti-freeze in it also.

On our trip to DC maiden voyage we ddin't even use the door water, might never use it, but when i'm in SC will run it clear.

I will winterize the MH before heading back north.

We drink bottled water, make coffee, with bottled water.

I would leave about a pint to a quart of anti-freeze in the holding tanks.

I would also make sure your water heater android rod is out and the valves in the correct position.

I used some knowledge from my boating days and prefilled my water filter in the wet bay with anti-freeze, i didn't even install the element yet, and the fridge element hasn't been installed yet ether.

First time winterizing for the return home took me all of 30 minutes, it was colder then a witch's you know what.

Oh took every drop of 3 gallons, was easy peasy with the hose into the jug thing all printed in the engine bay.

Fair winds and following seas !
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Old 01-12-2018, 06:56 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reubenray View Post
I never thought that I would be needing this info for traveling in cold weather. But this year has been very different. I have seen posts about what to do to warm up the diesel engines prior to starting, but I need info for my particular engine and the LE model from Newmar. It will be in the mid to upper 20's on Monday morning as I head out to the NKK Tampa Rally.

What do I need to do prior to that morning and what do I do different on that morning to start the engine? Also are there any steps I need to take for anything else (mechanical, air systems, etc.)?
Hi reubenray,
If you are equipped with engine pre-heat you can turn that on for an hour or 2 prior to starting. If not, no worries. Start as you always do and idle for couple of minutes then increase RPM to 1000 RPM for engine to work towards reaching operating temps. Temps may not get all the way to what you normally see while driving so don't wait all day to see that. When you start driving don't push engine to the max until you see temps in normal range. That will not take long. Nothing else magical to do other than your normal pre-start, pre-operational checks. (fluids, tire pressure, pull air lanyards, etc.)
If your already winterized head south until your in warmer weather to de-winterize. If not winterized keep the coach warm at temps above freezing and you should be ok. Best way to winterize is to head for warm weather. Wish I could do that right now!
Safe travels!

Cheers
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Old 01-12-2018, 09:06 AM   #4
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Ruben ray, I too have a Cummins ISB 360HP engine. CoachC in post #3 nailed it. If you have it, plug in your engine block heater 1-2 hours prior to departure (the outlet is in your power bay...check to see that your circuit breaker for the engine block heater is also on). Freightliner told me not to leave this on when driving. If you don't have the engine block heater option, CoachC gives you good advice for cold weather starting. Travel safely.
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Old 01-12-2018, 09:10 AM   #5
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Ruben ray, I too have a Cummins ISB 360HP engine. CoachC in post #3 nailed it. If you have it, plug in your engine block heater 1-2 hours prior to departure (the outlet is in your power bay...check to see that your circuit breaker for the engine block heater is also on). Freightliner told me not to leave this on when driving. If you don't have the engine block heater option, CoachC gives you good advice for cold weather starting. Travel safely.
I do have this, it is plugged in and the breaker has always been on. Do I need to turn the breaker off and then on when I need it?

I am 8 miles from the Alabama Gulf Coast which I thought was plenty South enough.
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Old 01-12-2018, 09:22 AM   #6
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If you'll check the Cummins manual, it tells you do NOT idle the engine to warm it up. Just start it and go (gently) when the air pressure is up and don't hammer on it until the engine reaches normal temperature. A modern Cummins needs no help starting at 20 degrees.

Using the block heater is not necessary, but I would as long as shore power is available. There's no downside and since the engine will be warmer when you start it the warm up time will be less.
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Old 01-12-2018, 09:32 AM   #7
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I do have this, it is plugged in and the breaker has always been on. Do I need to turn the breaker off and then on when I need it?

I am 8 miles from the Alabama Gulf Coast which I thought was plenty South enough.
Do not leave this plugged in unless you are going to be starting the engine. While likely to not cause harm it will run up your electric bill. I unplug mine vs the breaker.

I was just at Camp Freightliner II and the training guru Mike Cody recommended this:
Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost | Power Service

Available at WM. The only additive approved by Cummins. White bottle is for winter; silver for other seasons. I am using it as we are actually on our way to Nappanee.
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Old 01-12-2018, 09:50 AM   #8
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RV Tech Library - Preheating Diesel Engines


This is a great article authored by Mark "Cruzer" Quazius that is in the tech library over at the Tiffin RV Network website. I am assuming that there is no issue with sharing this information as I obtained it from a web search. If there is, then would a moderator just remove it? I also recommend that everyone join the Tiffin RV network. It is a very useful and beneficial source of information on rv's, not just Tiffins.
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Old 01-12-2018, 11:20 AM   #9
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RV Tech Library - Preheating Diesel Engines


This is a great article authored by Mark "Cruzer" Quazius that is in the tech library over at the Tiffin RV Network website. I am assuming that there is no issue with sharing this information as I obtained it from a web search. If there is, then would a moderator just remove it? I also recommend that everyone join the Tiffin RV network. It is a very useful and beneficial source of information on rv's, not just Tiffins.
Nice explanation, thanks for sharing.
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Old 01-12-2018, 09:48 PM   #10
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Below 15 degrees use the fuel additive mentioned before. I have started my 360 at -17 with no problem, and not using block heater. As noted, drive with a light foot until the engine warms up. The block heater is nice to use, I just forget to plug in most times.
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Old 01-13-2018, 05:13 AM   #11
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BTW, on our coach, if you turn the block heater breaker off it also kills one phase to the shore power monitor up front. It will then show normal voltage on one leg, but no voltage on the other. I leave the block heater plugged in and the breaker on. Just leave the switch for the heater off in the control panel.
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Old 01-13-2018, 10:58 AM   #12
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BTW, on our coach, if you turn the block heater breaker off it also kills one phase to the shore power monitor up front. It will then show normal voltage on one leg, but no voltage on the other. I leave the block heater plugged in and the breaker on. Just leave the switch for the heater off in the control panel.
I need to check to see if I have a switch?
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Old 01-13-2018, 11:09 AM   #13
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Cranking LE's Cummins 360 Engine in Cold Weather?

Reubenray,

I don't have a block heater switch on our (2015 Ventana) monitor panel. So I leave the circuit breaker on (I was told something similar about the power showing to one leg stuff, but couldn't remember it as well as the other poster mentioned), but plug the cord into the electrical bay outlet only as needed. I do have a tank heating pad switch on my monitor panel. It looks like this: Click image for larger version

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Old 01-13-2018, 11:10 AM   #14
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Engine block heaters are not meant to be left on for extended periods of time. Plug it in or turn it on 2-3 hours prior to starting is all that's required.

Leaving it on for days will result in the lube oil washing off the cylinders walls and cause scoring of the pistons/liners during start up.

Spend some time to figure out what controls your block heater so you don't inadvertently leave it turned on by mistake.
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