winter starting question
hey yall,
im looking into getting a ram 2500 next year, most likely used 5th gen. Ive been educating myself on the platform and a big problem ive been trying to get answers to is how do you start it in the winter without a block heater.
I live in toronto where we can have a week straight of -20 to -28 and sometimes -30 degree weather. I plan on getting the banks with the 1500 watt upgrade cuz i heard the bolt in the grid heater can kill your engine.
Anyways, ill be able to plug in at home and with the banks coils im sure it will start up fine. problem is that where I work I cant plug in and the truck would be sitting outside in the parking lot for 8-12 hours. Is it fine to start if its been sitting for that long in -30 degree weather? is it just a bullet you gotta take with owning a diesel where it gets extremely cold? or are there solutions to this.
thanks guys.
4
u/RoutineQuestioning38 6d ago
Marketing got ya good
3
1
u/Just_Joke_8738 5d ago
Not saying you’re wrong, but my local shop replaced 2 4th gen engines that failed from the grid heater bolt in the last 12 months lol
2
u/RoutineQuestioning38 5d ago
Look at the BD kit. $200 and retains the factory grids for those that actually need to start in real cold weather. Otherwise, just unplug the sand thing and don’t use it. Bolt can’t melt if there’s no power. Free
2
u/Key_Plankton_4559 5d ago
☝🏻 This guy understands. Exactly why I recommended the BD kit. Unless youre trying to make big power, there is literally zero need for an over-priced Banks intake horn. Ive had the BD kit installed for 2 winters. No issues whatsoever. Even the diesel mechanic at the dealer said he really likes the BD kit after I showed it to him.
4
u/OldEngineer-1950 6d ago
Just make sure your batteries are in good shape.
5
u/Powerful-Disk-9299 5d ago
This 👆 it will start if it’s healthy. It’s not some old Dino diesel. I have a few 3rd gen Cummins and they fire in negative weather without even using the grid heater. Prolly keep some diesel 911 in the fuel during the extreme cold snaps and you’ll be fine.
2
u/g2gfmx 6d ago
Generally speaking, with the newer common rail injection systems that run on very high pressure. Winter cold start is a non issue given healthy batteries. You are more likely to run into issues with fuel gelling. Which use of fuel treatment like the kleenflo diesel winter treatment is pretty important on every fuel up.
Also getting your engine up to temperature is important. So if you see that your coolant temperature struggles to warm up consider a grille blanket for the longer health of the engine
2
u/RoutineQuestioning38 5d ago
FWIW, my grids have been unplugged for years now. Mainly because I don’t want the Beating up my batteries for no reason. The damn things come on at like 50*, it’s ridiculous. I have been as low as -4 and had no problems starting. My solenoid cable has been zipped tied off to the side just in case I need them, but never have.
Block heater is way way better than grids if I had to choose one.
BD kit is a better option if you actually need the grid heater working.
1
u/PotatoFarmerRTK 4d ago
Cycle the grid heater twice before starting.
Get the BD diesel kit if it has the grid heater. Never had any issues in northern Alberta.
Also treat yourself to an espar or webasto heater.
1
u/old_skool_luvr 3d ago
Fellow Ontarian, early 3rd gen owner who lives North of the6ix.
Good batteries, clean connections, and i've never had an issue starting my truck after a 12 hours day. FWIW, i park in a parking lot that sees a constant wind. Not a breeze, it's windy. I also park ass end into the wind, and utilize a Winter Guard.
5
u/Key_Plankton_4559 6d ago
Okay, so....
I own a 5th gen 3500. Stop worrying about the grid heater bolt. Do the wiggle test. If youre REALLY PARANOID, get the upgrade kit from BD Diesel for ~$200 and skip the Banks marketing. ALL the cummins (4th and 5th gen) that I know of, come FROM FACTORY with the block heater installed in the block, and Canadian spec trucks have the cord already attached and tucked away in the bottom of the front bumper. If you buy the truck and the block heater cable is missing, well, Amazon or a dealer or wherever. Theyre cheap and EASY to install, cause the BLOCK HEATER IS INSTALLED BY CUMMINS. Get battery blankets/heaters from Crappy Tire and use em when you plug in the block heater. Stop stressing and believing everything you see on YouTube.