Community Forums

Butte64 · 01-01-2020, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photraveller

Jerry, I agree with preheat, but I stopped preheating the ISL9 for two reasons. One Cummins says we don't need preheat for anything above 0F on the ISL9. Second I have a hate/hate relationship with the electric rear hatch. As such I baby the hell out of it. I guess maybe I really should get one of those remote controls for the block heater.

Steve

Steve, that is a significant difference from everything I know and have heard about preheat. Where does Cummins have that in writing? And is there a difference between need and good to do?

Gary.Jones · 01-01-2020, 01:19 PM

Jerry

That zero degree ambient temp issue has been posted on here many times in the past and I have heard others say that they heard the same thing at Spartan or Cummins talks and workshops.

I never use my engine pre-heat in 25-35 degree mornings... I have never been where ambient was ~ 0 degrees but would be inclined to use the preheat in those conditions.

Gary

HJLowell · 01-01-2020, 02:48 PM

If its below 40 degrees
I turn the preheat switch on the night before I plan to fire up the engine.
Habit
Yes
I worked for an oil line company in Colorado during college days.
Eveything with a Diesel engine was plugged in when it wasnt running. After a 12 hr shift. Motels in Oklahoma, Kansas, PA, West Virginia gas and oil country that host workers have plug ins at every hotel room where the workers stay.

Right or wrong
I personally like getting out of a warm bed in a warm room on a cold morning.
I think lubricating oil and Diesel does also.

photraveller · 01-01-2020, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

Steve, my experience with what you just explained. The buyer of my Travel Supreme did the same thing. He was suppose to pickup the MH in Sept. He left it sitting in FL with untreated fuel until Dec with 3/4 tank, 1/4 used in our test drives. He got to Tampa and called me with the same condition you are having. I told him to change the fuel filter I left with the coach. He didn't want to get his hands dirty and elected to drive it to Cummins

By the time he limped in, I believe it was Cummins Ocala, he had burnt the primary fuel pump out and it was a mega repair bill. If you can treat the fuel with an algae reducer and have a few fuel filters on hand would be helpful. It is expensive if the fuel pump is over heated, $1,800 IIRC. Good luck with that, it is not fun.

Chuck good reminder that damage can be done to the pump, it's not just bad performance. I will say the sluggishness that I'm reporting here was nothing like when I got into jelling 7-8 years ago. Nor was it like when I lost my turbo in my other coach. I could just tell it was "off". That said, point taken I know I'm taking a chance.

At least it is EASY to change the filter in our coaches! My SOB coach when it jelled was lay on your back in the snow at -6 degrees just behind the drive axle and reach straight up. No other way to do it. Needless to say I ruined a good coat with diesel running down my arms. Plus -6F diesel is no fun pouring down your arms.

But I had so much fun doing it, I got to do it twice. Cause like an idiot after I finally got the first one off that a gorilla put on, it was 3pm and I decide to wait until morning.

Didn't see the blurb about doubling the amount of boost if biodiesel. So I don't mind getting my hands dirty, it's just a matter if my bad back will handle the work. Fuel filter no big deal!

BTW, this morning maybe 35, and I had zero issues. I only sat overnight with a short period of cold after a 50 degree day and 300+ miles.

My plan is to run some algaecide through the tank and change the filter now and then probably at the end of this trip in a month or so, even if I don't see any more issues. By then I should have run a couple hundred gallons through.

Steve

photraveller · 01-01-2020, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butte64

Steve, that is a significant difference from everything I know and have heard about preheat. Where does Cummins have that in writing? And is there a difference between need and good to do?

Jerry I was like you when I first read the 0F statement here on the forum but went and looked it up.

Not sure if this is what I saw originally, but I think it will do.

Second page under Ether / Cold Start.

https://www.cumminspowerclub.com/res...chedulesRV.pdf

I'm with you and Gary though, I don't mind stretching it to 30 now, but last year when I had to drive a couple times around 10 to low teens it was plugged in. Just makes too much sense.

Steve

brobox · 01-02-2020, 06:07 AM

Steve, I think getting algaecide in the fuel and carrying spare filters will more than likely solve the problem. The purchaser of my coach would have been fine if he would have done that as well. He called me when it felt "sluggish" but did nothing wanting to drive it to Cummins. I think he thought I sold him a bad coach and wanted Cummins to prove it. It continues.......

Speaking of cold weather, the same buyer had to make it home for Christmas to Canada with his new coach. He was a commercial pilot, but I guess weather only counts when flying. He decided to drive through blizzard conditions in ND. The hydraulic fluid froze, taking out the pump, fan and several other items costing $7,500 to replace. This was the post way back then, interesting read for those that travel in cold weather.]. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/what...ng-187288.html

photraveller · 01-02-2020, 07:07 AM

Chuck, I remember that thread. I totally agree.

While I live in a colder climate, I learned my lesson money wise a lot cheaper than he did. Though I have to admit freezing cold diesel running down my arms is probably a more vivid reminder to me than a $7,500 mistake. Neither would be forgotten, but in my case it's a hell no I won't go there again.

It's all a learning experience, most cost a lot of money, some are just a hard smack to the side of the head.

We handled the 10 degree weather last year going home early in March to doctor's appointments. We made sure this year no doctor appointment until April!

Steve

Butte64 · 01-02-2020, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photraveller

Jerry I was like you when I first read the 0F statement here on the forum but went and looked it up.

Not sure if this is what I saw originally, but I think it will do.

Second page under Ether / Cold Start.

https://www.cumminspowerclub.com/res...chedulesRV.pdf

I'm with you and Gary though, I don't mind stretching it to 30 now, but last year when I had to drive a couple times around 10 to low teens it was plugged in. Just makes too much sense.

Steve

I understand the reluctance to mess with that rear hatch. But other than that I can’t think of any reason not to do it since it starts easier and gets up to operating temp faster, including the dash heat. The preheat AquaHot loop in the Anthem and Cornerstone would make it real easy.

HJLowell · 01-03-2020, 06:21 AM

On my 99 Signature its an easy push of the toggle switch.
For Two Choices ?

Block Heat option

Or Aquahot circulation pump for the engine coolant system.
Make certain to turn the pump OFF before you start your Diesel engine.

As stated above, if nite time temps are to be below 35 to 40.
I use one or the other.

95 percent of the time its the Aquahot pump.