Does Cummins 5.9 have glow plugs or some such?

Elliot Naess · 12-07-2006, 10:12 AM

Brought my new 1992 BB TC2000 home from First Student two days ago. They had it all warmed up for me, so I forgot to ask the mechanic about starting procedure. The 14 liter engines I drive at work have not had glow plugs in decades. But what about this little 5.9? I have read something about a heating "grid" -- what's that, and how do I use it?

Oh yeah, the 5.9 drove home beautifully.

KC10Chief · 12-07-2006, 03:08 PM

Hey! I know that the 5.9's in the Dodge trucks have glow plugs. I'm almost sure yours does too. Sorry I don't know for sure. I was more curious about the buses top speed? This is a rear engine bus right? If it is, how quiet is it up front? Have fun with it!

Elliot Naess · 12-07-2006, 05:10 PM

Negative. It is a front engine. The engine is under a "dog house" next to the driver. Noisy compared with the rear engine Greyhound I just rode on, but no worse than my former conventional bus. I bought this layout because we need to make a ramp in the back for vehicles (as in my avatar).

Top speed is 57 MPH. There is no tach, so I don't know how fast the engine was turning. Rear end is 4.78. Tires 11x22,5.

I'll have to learn this glow plug business. (Have not started it since I brought it home.)

CVanDamme · 12-07-2006, 09:04 PM

All the dodge pick-ups I have ever seen have that heating grid. Same with our tc2000. We fired ours up last Sat, probable 20-25 deg. Fired up no problem, and wasn't plugged in. All we do is hold the button for 3 seconds, then wait 3 seconds and turn it over. Instant fire. That heating grid is located in or after the intake, just heats the air and runs until the motor is warmed up, as far as I understand.

phillbus914 · 12-07-2006, 09:39 PM

My 91 TC2000 does not have glow plugs. It has to be plugged in on cold days for it to start. Mine has a block heater - heats the coolant, which heats the engine. If it stays plugged in for an hour or so it will start right up.

I don't have a tach either, I have a 4.33 rear end and toped out at 57 when I first got it. Jason turned up the governor for me and now it tops out at about 64 (which actually is more like 75ish, since my speed-o is off) It uses a lot more fuel at that speed though. The front of these things are not exactly aerodynamic.

Elliot Naess · 12-07-2006, 10:55 PM

Great to hear from other TC2000 owners! So much to learn!

Say, CVanDamme, where is your heating grid button located? I have nothing that fits the description near my ignition key.

Elliot Naess · 12-08-2006, 12:04 AM

Right, I keep thinking that glow plugs are obsolete. I drive these big 3406 Caterpillar and ISX Cummins engines at work, and they have not had glow plugs since I've been driving such things (which is a long time!) They all just crank right up. (Mind you, I never have to start them stone cold in freezing weather, but I won't be doing that with the bus either.)

Driving the thing home, I actually drove 53 MPH on the speedo most of the time. The foot feed spring is just too stiff to hold down! Got something like 9,5 MPG that way.

CVanDamme · 12-13-2006, 01:28 AM

Hey Elliot, my '92 has a button probably 2-3 inches to the right of the key and a information tag how it works "hold for 3 seconds, wait 3 seconds, turn over). On another note my top speed from when we picked it was averaging about 110 kph (67-68mph) got her up to 125kph (78mph) on a long graded hill. Forget what rear end we have, wanna say 3.55 but not exactly sure. Good top end though, happy with that. First trip was a 6-7 drive on the freeway, flat footed the whole way, did my fair share of passing. The thing I noticed was how noisy the fan was when it kicked on, the motor I didn't think was that bad.

Talk To You Fellow Blue Birds later.

Elliot Naess · 12-13-2006, 08:50 PM

I sure don't see anything like that in mine. But I just put new batteries in it, and it started after cranking a while. After starting it a few times, I think it helps to goose the foot feed to make it fire. As soon as it fires, it runs beautifully. Do you guys step on the accelerator to fire it?

the_experience03 · 12-14-2006, 12:43 AM

My 6.6 is obviously a different motor, but Ford recommends in the manual depressing the pedal to the floor and up below 50 degrees, holding it halfway to the floor while cranking at 20 and above, and giving it a good shot of ether and holding the pedal to the floor while cranking any colder than that. I haven't had to do that, but my bus hasn't really been that cold either. I know Phil mentioned that he has to give his Cummins a little happy pedal to get his to start sometimes.

Elliot Naess · 12-14-2006, 01:03 AM

Very good. Obviously, I'm spoiled by the late model electronically controlled engines at work -- turn the key and the komputor handles everything. Millicent will get a loving kick in the pump next time I go to start her. Maybe we used to do that at work in the old days -- that was a couple million miles, and a lot of brain cells, ago!

Jarlaxle · 12-14-2006, 07:27 PM

No B-series Cummins has glow plugs. Some (most) do use a heat grid in the intake...it will still start without it, but it certainly won't pretend to like it.

phillbus914 · 12-14-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elliot Naess

I think it helps to goose the foot feed to make it fire. As soon as it fires, it runs beautifully. Do you guys step on the accelerator to fire it?

Mine does the same thing. When I first got it it would start without doing this. Ever since Jason turned up my governor I have to tap the gas pedal to make it start.

I'd like to know why this is also. Please post if you find a fix.

Elliot Naess · 12-14-2006, 10:01 PM

Very good. Apparently, I don't have the heat grid. No problem.

I don't consider that it needs fixing. I'm just trying to learn the best way to start it. But if I learn something, I'll post it, you bet.

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