Community Forums

wmiii · 09-12-2019, 08:17 AM

WE are from Florida and traveling in Utah now on our BIG trip.
I first noticed this issue when we were in Deadwood and and overnight temps were in the 40's. It has happened another couple of times with cooler overnight temps. Now we are in Bryce Canyon and it's 38 this morning...

When I tried to start the engine would sputter and stop with some black smoke. I tried another time or two and finally, IF I keep the starter engaged, it would start and smooth out. Once started, It ran fine.
I did wait for the preheat light to go out, but not sure if t helped or not.

I do have an engine block heater switch that I haven't tried yet.

I am uncomfortable keeping the starter engaged longer, but it did work.

Thanks you your thoughts,

Wm Mayberry
2003 National Tradewinds 375LE
2011 Honda CRV

cataska · 09-12-2019, 08:30 AM

On ours I turn the key on when wait to start goes out I turn off key then repeat when light goes out again I press the battery combiner momentary battery switch and start engine, if its in the low 30 I would use the engine block heater

bgholson · 09-12-2019, 08:37 AM

In 30 degrees I plug in the block heater about 3-4 hours before starting and it starts much easier. Some folks plug it in overnight and that’s fine too. Doesn’t hurt anything

bizzerbiz · 09-12-2019, 11:59 AM

Are you using any diesel treatments in the tank? The only 2 times I tried a treatment it did exactly what you described about sputtering and black smoke when I stopped overnight and started in the morning. My 3126 has no issues starting at any temperature but I do use block heater for low 30's. Hope you figure it out and enjoy Utah!

wmiii · 09-12-2019, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizzerbiz

Are you using any diesel treatments in the tank? The only 2 times I tried a treatment it did exactly what you described about sputtering and black smoke when I stopped overnight and started in the morning. My 3126 has no issues starting at any temperature but I do use block heater for low 30's. Hope you figure it out and enjoy Utah!

I had put some Lucas fuel and injector cleaner treatment in after it did it the 1st time.

Wm

twinboat · 09-12-2019, 05:48 PM

About the block heater, you need to turn that on a few hours before you want to start the engine.

If your dry camping, that means you need to run the generator a few hours before departure.

bizzerbiz · 09-12-2019, 05:52 PM

You will be refueling soon, leave the treatment out and see if that will solve your problem.

Skip426 · 09-12-2019, 06:05 PM

As mentioned in your first post about the subject ; the dash indicator " Wait to start " light is on a timer , and the light going off is not an indication that your grid heater is working/has worked.

There is a relay , the grid heater it's self and a circuit breaker in the power supply to the relay that need to be tested .
The 12 volt circuit breaker for the grid heater is behind the battery tray on the frame rail in my coach and seeing if there is power through the circuit breaker is the easiest thing to test first.
Looking from the ground up , it will look like the picture below. The two circuit breakers are on the right, one grid heater , one dash chassis power , the part with the red arrow is a starter relay. The grid heater relay is on the engine .

http://www.irs2.com/forums/f105/cold...rt-459224.html

wmiii · 09-13-2019, 08:10 AM

Thanks all for the ideas.
i think I'll let the Block heater run for 3-4 hrs before I try to start as well as cycling the key 2-3 times as well.
Thanks again,
Wm

CountryB · 09-13-2019, 11:30 AM

I wonder why a grid heater is needed on the smaller CAT engine but not on the bigger engines (C12, C13, C15)?
Maybe the bigger engines have a higher compression ratio and generate more cylinder heat.
I don't know.

palehorse89 · 09-13-2019, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryB

I wonder why a grid heater is needed on the smaller CAT engine but not on the bigger engines (C12, C13, C15)?
Maybe the bigger engines have a higher compression ratio and generate more cylinder heat.
I don't know.

Same with Cummins big engines .......

Tahoejeep · 09-13-2019, 06:37 PM

I’ve had no trouble starting my 3126 down into the teens, without running the block heater and no black smoke or hard starting. I run Rotella T6 5W-40 engine oil for easier winter starts. We typically leave Northern Minnesota end of January for Arizona, so I set myself up for winter weather by leaving fuel at about 1/2 empty until #1 diesel becomes available about December 1, then filling the tank with straight #1 to give myself 50/50 mix. If I had electric in the storage shed I would certainly use the block heater!

Skip426 · 09-13-2019, 10:47 PM

3126 B specs list compression ratio @ 16:1

I'd have to check specs on the bigger Cat engines.

EDIT: C-12 lists compression ratio at 17:1 .
So no really good explanation for lack of a grid heater.

Cat · 09-14-2019, 09:03 PM

All the HEUIs had reputation for being cold blooded. I don't think you get the same fast injection that you get with a non HEUI. The Heui needs to build pressure Heui oil pressure. And that takes a bit but the injection cycle its self just isn't as quick as a cam injected fuel system. Safe Travels