Batteries
Install batteries that will provide adequate cold cranking amps (CCA) in order to start the engine and operate the engine at the coldest expected temperatures. Maintain proper battery electrolyte level. Keep all batteries fully charged to a corrected specific gravity of 1.250 or above and keep the batteries warm. Heating of the battery compartment or storage in a warm location will maximize the cranking power of the battery. The temperature of the batteries has a considerable effect on the available power. The batteries will not have enough power for cranking the engine and starting the engine if the batteries are too cold, even with a warm engine. Batteries typically have only fifty percent of the capability at −10 °C (14 °F) versus 27 °C (81 °F). Only ten percent of the original power is available at a temperature of −35 °C (−31 °F). Check the condition of the batteries and the electrolyte level in each battery cell except for maintenance free batteries. Remove the battery filler caps. Maintain the electrolyte level to the bottom of the openings for the battery filler caps with distilled water. If distilled water is not available, use clean water, that is low in minerals. Do not use artificially softened water or drinking water. The salt in artificially softened water will damage the efficiency of your batteries. At the proper charging rate in a moderate climate, a battery should not require more than 30 cc (1 oz) of water per cell per week. Check the cells weekly in arctic temperatures. The cell water usage could be higher.
Block Heaters
A cylinder block coolant heater can improve the startability and a cylinder block coolant heater can reduce the warm-up time by heating the coolant that surrounds the combustion chambers. A cylinder block coolant heater that is powered by electricity can be activated immediately after the engine is stopped. A cylinder block coolant heater will reduce the temperature that will require ether for starting the engine. An effective block heater is a 1250 watt to 1500 watt unit. Contact your truck dealer for more information.
Air Inlet Heaters and Ether Starting Systems
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If equipped with an air inlet heater (AIH) for cold weather starting, do not use types of starting aids such as ether. Such use could result in an explosion and injury. |
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When starting the engine with ether, follow these starting procedure instructions carefully. Use ether sparingly and spray it ONLY WHILE CRANKING THE ENGINE. Excessive ether use can cause piston and ring damage. Ether should be used only for cold weather starting. |
As temperatures drop below 0 °C (32 °F), starting a cold engine may require assistance in the form of ether starting aids or air inlet heaters. An automatic metered ether injection system is preferred over a manual system. An automatic system reduces the risk of engine damage by minimizing the operator's responsibility in order to correctly determine the quantity of ether that is required. Excessive ether will damage the engine and excessive ether will void the manufacturer's warranty. An alternative to ether is an air inlet heater. The preheated intake air considerably improves the engine's ability to start at very low temperatures and the preheated intake air ensures smooth engine operation within a shorter period of time.