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Born2RV · 03-10-2012, 12:17 PM

We used to own a nice barn with power that would allow us to plug in our heater block for our Fleetwood Providence, so we never had trouble starting it - even in the dead of winter.

However, since we've moved, our Motorhome has been stored outside since October, covered - with no electrical plug in sight. We did take all the batteries out for the winter and husband has them fully charged. He's putting them back in today and we'd like to start the engine tomorrow, since we've put it up for sale and we have a couple coming to look at it. Expected temps tomorrow are around 50 or 55 degrees, but we can't plug the heater block in anywhere.

Any advice on a COLD start for our beloved motorhome??? Any and all would be appreciated.

Thank you!

Randy blase · 03-10-2012, 01:05 PM

You could start the gen and turn the block heat on if you wanted to other then that I wouldn't worry about it

jauguston · 03-10-2012, 02:36 PM

Turn the key on and wait for the "Wait to start" light to go out and start it. 50 degrees is not cold.

Jim

Mr_D · 03-10-2012, 02:53 PM

Our ISC starts immediately in 50° weather. I don't even wait for the "Wait to Start" light to go out.

trampsrv · 03-10-2012, 03:39 PM

if you have a portable generator you can plug it in for a couple of hours and come back and start it up.

Cat320 · 03-10-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jauguston

Turn the key on and wait for the "Wait to start" light to go out and start it. 50 degrees is not cold.

Jim

Agree, you'll be okay at 50/55. Cummins says to use the block heater at 40 or lower.

docj · 03-10-2012, 06:43 PM

My C-12 doesn't even have a "Wait to Start" light. Just fire it up.

RinkersRanch · 03-10-2012, 07:06 PM

Crank the engine 10 seconds or so to put some fuel in the cylinders. Turn the key to the heat position, wait till the light goes out, turn the key off, wait 15 to 20 seconds, repeat the heat cycle one more time, then hit the starter. Heating with a little bit of fuel in the cylinder seems to work better than just heating the air in the cylinders. Even very temperamental engines respond well to this procedure.

Ernie Ekberg · 03-10-2012, 07:15 PM

I don't believe it is fuel, its the oil that needs to be warm. A block heater in cold temps, when on for a couple hours is your engines best friend. Don't rely on the idiot lites

B Bob · 03-10-2012, 09:10 PM

Went to a Cat seminar last week. Block heater not needed above 40 F ambient.

pcurt23 · 03-10-2012, 09:30 PM

I also live in Michigan. I once left my batteries a little too long and ran them down trying to start the coach. I now start the generator first because it takes the least power of the two. Once the genny is started you have plenty of power even on a very cold day. At worst you can then turn on the engine heater and wait an hour or two. I also learned that when you kill the batteries it is much easier to jump the generator than the big engine.