T444E Cold Start Procedure

[heimlich]

What is the procedure to cold start a T444E in cold weather and in hot weather? I am more concerned about cold weather. I have glow plugs. I also think I might have a block heater since there is a plug on the front middle bumper of the bus.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by heimlich

What is the procedure to cold start a T444E in cold weather and in hot weather? I am more concerned about cold weather. I have glow plugs. I also think I might have a block heater since there is a plug on the front middle bumper of the bus.

no real procedure for it.. if you have the capability to plug in the block heater on cold nights (where you plan to use it the next day)do it.. it makes life a lot easier on the engine..


otherwise i turn the key and let the "wait to start" light go out.. if its really cold out like below zero F, ill give it an extra 10 seconds or so... (no need to recycle the key, the glowplkugs continue to stay on aftyer the light goes out)..


then I crank it over.. most often it will just start right up.. occasionally it will surge once and die.. then ill do the key on wait to start again and start it..


dont rev it... it will first run at a very low RPM to build oil pressure then it will ramp up to about 900 and stay there.. if 'Cold Ambient Protection' is enabled in the ECM, after about 5 minutes it will ramp up to about 1400 RPM...



plugging in the block heater is something you do well ahead of time.. its not an instant starting aid.. its a keep-warm heater that will keep the coolant and internal oil warm...

[heimlich]

I was under the impression I had to set the idle to something like 1200RPM with the cruise control and idle button. Is that not the case?

Good to know about the block heater.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by heimlich

I was under the impression I had to set the idle to something like 1200RPM with the cruise control and idle button. Is that not the case?

Good to know about the block heater.

you can set it.. depends on where your bus was originally in-serviced .. typically any bus put in service in a cold weather state had the CAP turned on in the ECM... if it came fro ma warm weather state originally then that auto idle feature may not be turned on...



regardless you should wait a minute or 2 before setting high idle.. let the engine get its fluids circulating.. and never "rev" it on startup

[nikitis]

I’ve been using the block heater recently and the old 95’ has been starting up easy in the cold and it is cold. 20 degrees here. Started right up. I have fresh glow plugs. They don’t work too well below 40 degrees. But trying the block heater it starts right up first turn. If it’s this cold and I don’t use the block heater it won’t start.

Without block heater procedure for me is, turn key on, wait for “wait” light to go off. Turn key to crank count to 5 then stop. “Wait” light comes back on then goes off, count to 30 then turn key to crank again. Usually starts right up. If not repeat again till it decides to stay cranked. 30 between each attempt.

Do NOT hold the key in crank hoping it will kick in. It won’t and you’ll cause problems. Battery will die, you flush new diesel in that is cold. You want the old diesel your glow plugs warmed up to be used.

I’ve never had to try the 30 second count more than once on my first generation T444E if I wait. (Yet)

When you plug in the block heater if you listen closely you can hear a slight sizzle sound. It is very quiet but you can hear it if you listen carefully.

I’ve researched studies on leaving it on all the time. You can do do with maybe only a $20 bill added to your power if that. It does not hurt it to leave it in all the time. They last nearly forever. It’s a simple heating element that slides through a freeze plug in the block. It turns on and warms the oil and block.

You’ll need 4 hours max for full effect. It can help you crank after 1 hour before, but is most effective at 2 hours. Not much warmer past 2 hours, maybe 15 degrees max. First hour will heat it 80 degrees roughly give our take.

Data was taken from power stroke forums real world testing which a T444E basically is

[heimlich]

It doesn't really get cold enough here. If I take this somewhere cold I want to be prepared. 2 hours for the block heater sounds good.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by heimlich

It doesn't really get cold enough here. If I take this somewhere cold I want to be prepared. 2 hours for the block heater sounds good.

mine will styart on its glowplugs down to about minus 10f pretty easily.. below that its not happy at all...



my backup plan is the webasto.. an hour shot of the webasto on and she starts like summer.


for those travelling in very cold areas, an alternative to an air diesel heater is a coolant diesel heater (then use bus heaters to heat your interior space).. asdvantage being you can preheat the engine with a diesel coolant heater if you dont have access to a plug-in , generator, or large house battery bank. the factory block heaters pull between 600 and 800 watts.. so 2 hours running one will defimitely chew up some battery. (youd NEVER use your starting batteries. only house).. at even 800 watts even a small portable generator will run it easily.