Monk31 Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 I live in Massachusetts 1984 DM 688sx it has been very cold here after not running truck for about 3 weeks my truck will not turn over and fire up I have 3 12volt battery's hooked up any suggestions to getting this truck to get over the hump and fire up? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Load test your batteries and see if they are any good. Can you plug in the truck? Check your ground cables. Winter blend for fuel if it turns over. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276431 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Are your batteries fully charged? If so, does the starter engage with the flywheel? Engine coolant heater? If no coolant heater, place a heat lamp under the oil pan to heat the oil. Place plywood or tarps around the front and sides of the truck to keep the heat under the engine. A couple light bulbs in the engine compartment will help too. 2 Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276432 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 I can plug in the truck and i have added fuel additive to the tank is starting fluid a good idea thanks for the responses . Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276436 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 How long did you plug in the heater? Does the engine turn over? If so, do you get white smoke out the exhaust stack? Starting fluid is last resort in my book but if you do, use it very sparingly. Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276438 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACKS Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Make sure the engine heater is working,they draw a lot of juce,the electric cord should feel warm after an hour or so and you should see a little spark when you pluk it in. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276439 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 I haven't plug the truck in yet I am going to. I do get smoke out of the exhaust when trying to start the starter cranks and it doesnt start up if that makes sense. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276440 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 ok will check when plugged in. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276441 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Plug in the heater and after an hour the block should feel warm near the heater. You may need to let it plugged in overnight.You may want to pour some winter fuel additive in the fuel tank so when you get it started the additive will get mixed with the fuel. 1 Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276443 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Share Posted January 28, 2015 will do thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276444 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 Is there a gauge of the extension cord or is a regular extension cord going to get the job done? Thanks Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276449 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I am no electrician but I would suggest a 12 or 14. How far from receptacle to plug? Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276458 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 500-700fti could use a generator too Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276459 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 That is ONE LONG extension cord! I think the generator would be best. Plug in your battery charger too. Of course the next question is...what is the generator rating? Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276461 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 Generator rating that I do not know it has 120 plug and a 30amp plug also Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276462 Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Plug it in and give it a try. If the generator is not big enough, it should trip the circuit breaker. 120V block heaters are in the 800-1500 watt range. Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276464 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 ok will do going to give it a try tomorrow will let you know how i make out thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276465 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxter Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Little sniff of either Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276476 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 several more tricks are as follows: remove batteries and bring into a warm area and charge (remember no sparks around charging batteries) once charged load test to see if you have a weak one or three. then recharge if good. of engine is clean I often use a propane weed burner, lay it on the ground near the front of the oil pan and close the hood to retain heat. If the wind is blowing use plywood or such to block the wind, now leave a buddy with the weed burner (and fire extinguisher) go to area where batteries are charging and grab them by the time you get them installed the truck should start. also if the truck has a hand primmer on the filters or pump, pump up the fuel system then try starting. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 Thanks for the advice i will give it a try unfortunately we where hit with a blizzard have to plow and dig out the truck before i can do any of this. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276527 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmerrill0516 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 A big torpedo heater pointed at the front of the truck...not too close so you burn the paint but close enough to get some heat into the engine. It should crank with good batteries unless the solenoid is frozen to death...add heat. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276532 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 from reading what is going on I am curious as to what is going on. Is the truck turning over, just slowly and not starting? If that is the case, charge the battery's or jump start after you plug it in for a couple hours. If you cant plug it in or don't think the block heater works take a torpedo heater or space heater and slide it up underneath to warm the engine just make sure it wont burn anything or start a fire. I have a small 35000 propane torpedo heater that works good for warming cold starting engines. I paid about $80 for it 14 years ago, I also have a tarp that I can drape over an engine to keep heat in, but if the truck had snow around it I would keep the hood closed and place under the bumper pointed towards the oil pan, just make sure that it wont burn or melt something. After about 20 minutes I am sure everything should be warm enough to try a start.Once you get it going I would check to see if the block heater functions and if not replace it, and I would park closer to an outlet to plug it in next time if you can. Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276535 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk31 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 It is turning over slowly and not starting I am going to use a generator to plug it in and buy a torpedo heater tomorrow and charge batteries Thank you for all the support and advice. This is my first truck and and winter with it. I will let everyone know how i make out. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276580 Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastractorsvc Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 My neighbor told me a story about a guy at his old work that used a torpedo heater to warm up the radiator on a loader and melted the AC condenser and some of the fins of the radiator had it sitting on the counter balance weights pushed up against the grill. When he was asked why he did that he stated that he saw the mechanic use it under the truck to help with starting so since the loader did not have under the engine access had a hydro and fuel tanks with skid plate he thought heating through the radiator would be ok but the only place to set it so it did not fall off was up tight.Up in Northern Maine when I was a kid used to have hoses plumbed into the pick up and hoses on machine and would be able to circulate coolant through the skidder, loader or tractor and had welding cable for jumper cables if needed about 15 minutes on the hoses and the equipment usually started, used to have the old card board grill bra! 1 Quote Robert"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276585 Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Davidson Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 You can check the block heater with a ohm meter. If there is no resistance the heater is shot. Also I'm having trouble with oil being too thick so it makes lots of resistance to cranking. I switched my skidder over to 10W-30 and it cranks a lot easier than with 15W-40. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/38638-cold-weather-start-up/#findComment-276599 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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