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Old 01-17-2025, 02:47 PM   #1
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Engine Block Heater Timing? 2004 Journey

My coach has sat since the end of Oct, and the past month it's been below freezing a good amount of the time. I do keep my batteries on a maintenance charger when it's sitting. I went to start it today, waited for the light to go out on the dash and it turned over, tried to start but never fully started. It sounded like it was turning slower than usual, which I attribute to the cold temps. I have an engine warming switch near the inside panel which I flipped on. I'm wondering how long it takes for that to warm up the engine block enough so the engine will start. TIA............
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Old 01-18-2025, 08:58 AM   #2
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If it's that cold i would give it overnight.
It's not a high wattage heater.
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Old 01-18-2025, 09:05 AM   #3
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Hmmmm, now that's not what a heavy truck/bus mechanic told me last night, but he's also not an RV guy........ He said the big vehicles he works on, the engine heaters use 1500 watts and really run up the electric bill. I had mine on for about 6 hours by the time I got home. He told me to feel the radiator, that it should be warm, which it wasn't. When I went in the RV I noticed that the 2 infrared electric heaters that I've had on for a few weeks were both off. I then checked the coach fuse panel and saw that a 15 amp breaker had tripped. Once I reset it the heaters came back on. I can only imagine that the engine heater is on the same circuit. This moring I unplugged my electric heaters and switched on the engine heater. I'm gonna wait a few hours before I try starting it. I have RV tech in DE that told me it takes 2-3 hours for the engine heater to heat up the coolant............
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Old 01-18-2025, 09:50 AM   #4
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I checked the manual and found a section about the Engine Block Heater. Along with the switch on the wall, there is also a plug in the shore power compartment that needs to be plugged in, which it was, and it was also warm, so I know the engine block heater is working. I'm gonna wait a few hours to try to start the RV. I'm feeling positive that this will resolve my issue.........
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Old 01-18-2025, 09:54 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jefflbi View Post
Hmmmm, now that's not what a heavy truck/bus mechanic told me last night, but he's also not an RV guy........ He said the big vehicles he works on, the engine heaters use 1500 watts and really run up the electric bill. I had mine on for about 6 hours by the time I got home. He told me to feel the radiator, that it should be warm, which it wasn't. When I went in the RV I noticed that the 2 infrared electric heaters that I've had on for a few weeks were both off. I then checked the coach fuse panel and saw that a 15 amp breaker had tripped. Once I reset it the heaters came back on. I can only imagine that the engine heater is on the same circuit. This moring I unplugged my electric heaters and switched on the engine heater. I'm gonna wait a few hours before I try starting it. I have RV tech in DE that told me it takes 2-3 hours for the engine heater to heat up the coolant............
Yes 2-3 hours will put some heat into it. Not as much as overnight but maybe enough to start it. You may not feel it on the radiator though as it doesn't circulate. Most diesel truck block warmers that I have seen are right around 1,000 watts.

Another thing that helps if it is possible on your rig is to cycle the glow plugs several times before cranking. Also if you wait for the glow plugs to shut off before cranking you will have more amps available to the starter.
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Old 01-18-2025, 09:56 AM   #6
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My RV tech in DE told me that sometimes they will cycle a few times on their own. Mine did not. But I did notice that I could do it manually. So I will also keep that in mind. Thanks!!
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Old 01-18-2025, 09:58 AM   #7
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I'm an old diesel truck driver and my philosophy is to get as much heat into the engine block as I can. Engines wear a lot more when they are cold compared to when they are up to temp.

It might cost a few dollars but in my mind it's well worth it.

Here in Minnesnowda the temps are often well below zero when I want to start up. Even then I warm up the engine slowly before I ask for full power.

It does take time to get the oil heated up to lubricate properly.
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Old 01-18-2025, 11:35 AM   #8
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Well this isn't very encouraging. 3 hours of the engine block heater on didn't make a difference, other than the "Wait" light on the dash never had to come on. The engine still won't start. Batteries are fully charged, only 2 maybe 3 yrs old.
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Old 01-18-2025, 11:42 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by jefflbi View Post
Well this isn't very encouraging. 3 hours of the engine block heater on didn't make a difference, other than the "Wait" light on the dash never had to come on. The engine still won't start. Batteries are fully charged, only 2 maybe 3 yrs old.
I would verify that your glow plugs are actually coming on. First check at the GP relay to verify that is switches on. If the GP relay is not closing you can jump it. If it is closing then next ohm each glow plug to the block to see if they are good.(You will have to disconnect the power wire on each GP to get an accurate ohm reading)

Plugging in the block warmer for 3 hours should not cause the glow plugs to stay off IMHO.
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Old 01-18-2025, 02:48 PM   #10
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Ok, the good news is I got it started by using the Aux/Mom switch. Combining the batteries make it crank a whole lot faster. The bad news is my air bags are not inflating......... I'm sure it's all related to the cold weather we've been having and me not starting it in 3 months. I've tried manually dumping the air, which does go out of the bags (what little is in there) but it does not dump the air from the tanks like it used to..............
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Old 01-18-2025, 02:58 PM   #11
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RV are like old men!
The longer they set without being asked to do something, the less likely they are to start!

Solenoids and things like that on the air system may be like old knees that are not used to moving and then get really cranky when asked to do anything serious?
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Old 01-18-2025, 03:43 PM   #12
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It must have somehow been tied into the parking brake, because I realized I still had it on. Once I released it, the airbags filled up pretty quick.......... All I wanted to do was get the propane tank filled and top of the fuel so I can ready to leave at a moments notice if needed........ All is good now....... Thanks for all the input.......
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Old 01-23-2025, 12:38 AM   #13
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Just for another thought on the block heater. After living in Alaska for many years, I got very used to using them. But for my RV, I have a simple habit. If it is below 50 degrees out when getting up on a travel day, I turn on the block heater for the hour or two it takes us to get ready to move. Perhaps three hours if really cold out. Then on starting, that engine spins and starts very easily. Why add more stress on the engine and batteries if you don't have too?
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Old 01-23-2025, 05:57 AM   #14
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My owner's manual says 2 hours on the engine heater and that's when it is near freezing or below. The radiator and rest of the engine stays cold to the touch. The maintenance manual implies that the heater only warms the oil, not the 'block'. That seems to be enough time based on what I've heard the engine turning over. I then let it idle for 5-10 minutes while I disconnect. The engine temp gauge never gets above the 'cold' mark until I start driving a couple miles, no matter how long it idles when cold.
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Old 01-23-2025, 11:23 AM   #15
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Is there a reason you want to start it when its cold? If not it will be fine sitting till the weather warms up. What # fuel is in it? Just leave it sit till warmer weather if possible.
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Old 01-23-2025, 03:26 PM   #16
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I kicked mine on the other morning for a couple of hours to get some heat into the oil, we were making a day trip about 3 hours up the road. IIRC the temps were around 28 when we left. I checked my display and it was pulling 6-8 amps which would put it around 750-1000 watts. I had Freightliner check it the last time I was in and it tested fine. They ran a continuity and resistance check on it. I will use it anytime the temps are 40 or below, the colder it is the longer I will let it run. If it is stupid cold, 20 or below I will let it run all night before our planned departure.

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Old 01-25-2025, 02:44 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jefflbi View Post
My coach has sat since the end of Oct, and the past month it's been below freezing a good amount of the time. I do keep my batteries on a maintenance charger when it's sitting. I went to start it today, waited for the light to go out on the dash and it turned over, tried to start but never fully started. It sounded like it was turning slower than usual, which I attribute to the cold temps. I have an engine warming switch near the inside panel which I flipped on. I'm wondering how long it takes for that to warm up the engine block enough so the engine will start. TIA............
The block heater is supplied by a 15A 120VAC circuit, this will have a maximum output of 1,875W. Using that it's easy to calculate how much heat/btu's it can supply.

This is from Cummins FAQ page, quote:
How long should I run the block heater before starting my Cummins engine?

It is generally recommended to run the block heater for at least 2 to 4 hours before starting your Cummins engine in cold weather. For extreme conditions, a longer duration may be beneficial.
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