Turbo Diesel Registry
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/248017
From time-to-time we are fortunate to have correspondence direct from Cummins that we can share with you. In this issue let's discuss their online newsletter and an interesting article that they recently published about operation in cold weather, titled "Cold Weather Subjects." CUMMINS NEWSLETTER Cummins publishes an online newsletter that is a free service that anyone can sign-up to receive. To do so, long-on to www. cumminsengines.com/newsletter-turbo-diesel.aspx and follow the prompts. Fuel Filter Heater A 12-volt heater built into the fuel filter housings helps prevent fuel gelling. It is controlled by a built-in thermostat. Fast Idle If ambient temperatures are low, the engine idle speed will slowly increase to 1,000 rpm after two minutes of idle, if the following conditions are met: Do not depress the brake or throttle pedals, the automatic transmission must be in park, and the vehicle speed must be zero. To cancel the fast idle feature, apply the throttle. For more information on the fast idle feature, consult your Owner's Manual. Battery Blankets A battery loses substantial cranking power as the battery temperature decreases to 0F (-18C). At 0F (-18C), and the engine requires twice as much power to crank at the same rpm. The use of 120-volt AC powered battery blankets will greatly increase starting capability at low temperatures. Suitable battery blankets are available from your authorized Mopar dealer. Cold Weather Grille Cover A winter front, or cold weather cover, is designed to be used in ambient temperatures below 30F; especially during extended idle conditions, to reduce condensation build-up within the engine crankcase. The cover will also drastically increase the warm rate inside the cab. The cold weather cover is available as a part of the Cold Weather Prep Package or through your authorized Mopar dealer. COLD WEATHER SUBJECTS by Cummins Turbo Diesel Service Group Winter Engine Operation Your Cummins Turbo Diesel is available with a few key features to improve the cold weather operation of your engine. These features will help to protect your engine and improve your truck's cold weather starting capabilities. Engine Block Heater The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed in the water jacket of the engine just above and behind the oil filter. It requires a 110- to 115-volt AC electrical outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord. The engine block heater is required only when ambient temperatures are below -20F (-29C), but recommended at temperatures below 0F (-18C). For full capability, once you turn on the engine block heater, it needs to run for one hour before you start your truck. 54 www.turbodieselregister.com TDR 83 Grid Heaters Have you ever been asked to find the glow plugs in your Cummins Turbo Diesel? If so, someone is having fun with you. Since the first Cummins-powered Ram truck was produced in 1989, Cummins uses a grid heater, not a set of glow plugs, to heat the intake air. Diesels need a cold-start aid, while gas engines don't. Gas engines use a spark to ignite a highly flammable mixture of gasoline and air. The spark is the ignition source, and is much less affected by cold air and cylinder temperatures. Diesels, on the other hand, use only compression to ignite the diesel-and-air mixture. In severe cold weather, the intake charge and fuel can be cold enough that compression alone will not create the ignition needed for combustion. This is why virtually all diesels come with some type of aid for cold starting. The two most common types seen in today's diesels are grid heaters and glow plugs. Both of these technologies serve a similar purpose, albeit with slightly different approaches.