Question for cold weather starting

[jd 9760]

M923A1: NH250 855 cummins.

Do these engines have glow plugs or a block heater? I'm assuming no since I can't seem to find either.

Has anyone added a block heater to this engine platform before and how did it work for you. I have an 855 in a farm tractor with a block heater which works well so I don't see why the same wouldn't aplly here. What can you tell me about installing one of these or is there one and I'm missing it.

Also can some one explain the electrical system to me. I understand 24volt starter but what else is 24 volt on the truck and what does the 12volt line coming off the battery run. If I add lights or anything electrical to the trcuk does it need to be 12v or 24v Thanks I'm new at this and trying to learn all I can

 

[EMD567]

The 250 has a preheater in the manifold, with a diesel fuel injection system. The instructions should be on the dash, with the primer pump. The glowplug is 12 volts, everything else should be 24 volts

 

[porkysplace]

Have you downloaded and read this TM9-2320-272-10.pdf
it will answer alot of the basic questions . the rest of the TM's can be found here ; TM's for the 939 series trucks

 

[Carlo]

I have a M931A1 and a 923A2 the first with the old 250 motor and the other with the new style 8.3 turbo. The 250 in the 900 series has ether ton aid. I have seen water heaters attached to the heater system but not a block heater. I would think cummins offers one. The 250 is a hard starter in cold weather with out help as in ether. The little 8.3 starts on the first turn. The direct injection helps. I personaly dont like to use ether but I have so many different trucks I could never plug them all in with water heaters.
What tractor do you have with a cummins, Steiger or Case / IH?

 

[jd 9760]

I have a M931A1 and a 923A2 the first with the old 250 motor and the other with the new style 8.3 turbo. The 250 in the 900 series has ether ton aid. I have seen water heaters attached to the heater system but not a block heater. I would think cummins offers one. The 250 is a hard starter in cold weather with out help as in ether. The little 8.3 starts on the first turn. The direct injection helps. I personaly dont like to use ether but I have so many different trucks I could never plug them all in with water heaters.
What tractor do you have with a cummins, Steiger or Case / IH?

I'm not a big fan of ether if plugging them in is an option. They just start so much easier if you have the ability to plug them in. Sometimes ether is the only option though. I was wondering how hard they start in the cold. The only time I had this one started it was about 50 degrees and it started right up and if it gets below zero I have no intentions of starting it. I priced a block heater at Napa today and ot sounds like around $100 I'm thinking it would be money well spent unless its just not neccessary. The one they showed me would thread right into the plug on the side of the block. Looked like about 10 min job if all went well.

My other 855 is in a 8960 Deere of all things. When they were built Deere didn't have a good 350+ hp engine and they knew it so they teamed up with cummins. I like my Deere's but that cummins is the best motor on the farm as far as I'm concerned. It starts hard with ether if it gets in the 30-35 degree range I've never had to start it colder than that. Boy will it puff smoke until its warmed up though. I've always been told to warm em up and cool em down and I never gave it much thought until I had a 855 cummins.

 

[Carlo]

I'm not a big fan of ether if plugging them in is an option. They just start so much easier if you have the ability to plug them in. Sometimes ether is the only option though. I was wondering how hard they start in the cold. The only time I had this one started it was about 50 degrees and it started right up and if it gets below zero I have no intentions of starting it. I priced a block heater at Napa today and ot sounds like around $100 I'm thinking it would be money well spent unless its just not neccessary. The one they showed me would thread right into the plug on the side of the block. Looked like about 10 min job if all went well.

My other 855 is in a 8960 Deere of all things. When they were built Deere didn't have a good 350+ hp engine and they knew it so they teamed up with cummins. I like my Deere's but that cummins is the best motor on the farm as far as I'm concerned. It starts hard with ether if it gets in the 30-35 degree range I've never had to start it colder than that. Boy will it puff smoke until its warmed up though. I've always been told to warm em up and cool em down and I never gave it much thought until I had a 855 cummins.

I agree with you on the block heater. Ether is a last resort for me to. Can you take note of my contact info and if you buy that heater can you send me photos please? If you buy it let me know how it works.
WOW I never knew JD used a motor not made by them. This is a first for me! I had a uncle in canada who bought one of the first Steiger's with a cummins / turbo and then one with a CAT. I loved running them in the summers for him. I remember when we picked corn in the fall the cat had harder time starting. We left them in the feild for it was to far to drive them back and forth every day. My uncles had "red" blood flowing, only IH for them!! haha those were the days.
Keep in touch JD!

 

[Triple C]

There is a really good thread going about putting block heaters in this motor. I just did, it cost me $67. Worth a look. I don't know how to link it for you.

 

[jd 9760]

There is a really good thread going about putting block heaters in this motor. I just did, it cost me $67. Worth a look. I don't know how to link it for you.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...ock-Heater-Inst-(PICS)&highlight=block+heater
I think this is the one your talking about thanks for the thread.

 

[CUCVFAN]

The 250 has a preheater in the manifold, with a diesel fuel injection system. The instructions should be on the dash, with the primer pump. The glowplug is 12 volts, everything else should be 24 volts

The post was referring to the M939 series, which are set up differently than the M809 series. No glowplug or primer pump. It's Ether or nothing, unless you install the block heater, which seems to be the way to go.

 

[jw4x4]

I installed a 1500 watt block heater in my Cummins. Got it @ NAPA for $63. Very easy install. It gave me a little peek @ the inside of the engine block. Glad to see it was super clean.

 

[GHall]

The post was referring to the M939 series, which are set up differently than the M809 series. No glowplug or primer pump. Ether or nothing, unless you install the block heater, which seems to be the way to go.

Hadn't heard of or seen glowplugs in the M939 trucks, I was starting to get confused.. Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[M35A2-AZ]

I just put a block heater in my m936 today, the one listed in the post above.

 

[Scarecrow1]

I have the 923A1 there are no glow plugs just a ether canister . The new generation of either has a lubricant added to it so it doesn't harm the engine.You can find it at almost any truck center. I have Started the engine on some cold mornings and not used the ether but one time . I just let it turn over for a couple of seconds and then let off and repeat until it starts. I never had to do this more than a couple of times. To use the ether You press and hold the button down for three seconds and then release it count to three and turn over the engine and it fires right up.. It was 35 F this morning and I didn't have to use the ether at all and it fired up with no problem.................

 

[BKubu]

I am not a big fan of ether, but I use it. I just give my trucks barely a sniff through the air intake (has to travel through the air filter). The trucks turn over a few times and then light off...but not too fast like one might expect with ether. As I said, I give them a sniff only. In my opinion, since I don't have power near the trucks for a block heater, this is better than cranking on them multiple times in cold weather, which is tough on the motor, starter, and batteries. With that said, I NEVER start my trucks unless I need to drive or move the trucks. I read on here quite often where guys just want to start their trucks in the cold weather...just to see them running. I understand that...it is cool to have your truck running while standing next to it, but starting a truck in cold weather is tough on it (unless you have it plugged in, which I recognize is the reason for this thread).

 

[jd 9760]

There is a really good thread going about putting block heaters in this motor. I just did, it cost me $67. Worth a look. I don't know how to link it for you.

Did you install the plate type or the thread in type? Both are listed at Napa for the 855. We have mostly thread ins on the Tractors seems like they wouls seal easier. Of course it may have to do with the age of the engine. The guy at napa asked how old the engine was. One told him it was a 2010 rebuild but I would have no idea how old the actual block is. It has what looks like an 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" threaded plug in the right hand side but it also has the plate just behind that. Did you have an option on your's or was there only one that would work?

 

[jd 9760]

I am not a big fan of ether, but I use it. I just give my trucks barely a sniff through the air intake (has to travel through the air filter). The trucks turn over a few times and then light off...but not too fast like one might expect with ether. As I said, I give them a sniff only. In my opinion, since I don't have power near the trucks for a block heater, this is better than cranking on them multiple times in cold weather, which is tough on the motor, starter, and batteries. With that said, I NEVER start my trucks unless I need to drive or move the trucks. I read on here quite often where guys just want to start their trucks in the cold weather...just to see them running. I understand that...it is cool to have your truck running while standing next to it, but starting a truck in cold weather is tough on it (unless you have it plugged in, which I recognize is the reason for this thread).

I agree, ether starts just seem hard on stuff. Kind of like dumping boiling water into a frozen bucket. Some engine really knock hard when fired on ether. I do like shooting it into the breather instead of into the cylinder. Seems like you get less shock to the system that way. Like you said if your not near electricty ether may be your only answer. Is see where the military had a fuel burning engine heater of some kind. Sounds dangerous and unneccessary for me for what I need but would have been useful out in the field I guess.

Do you own the truck in your profile pick? That thing is just to cool!

 

[wheelspinner]

[/QUOTE]To use the ether You press and hold the button down for three seconds and then release it count to three and turn over the engine and it fires right up.. It was 35 F this morning and I didn't have to use the ether at all and it fired up with no problem................. [/QUOTE]

You WILL damage the engine this way. The instructions on the dash CLEARLY state to release the ether while the engine is turning over. Doing it your way will overload a single cylinder that has an open intake valve!

 

[BKubu]

I agree, ether starts just seem hard on stuff. Kind of like dumping boiling water into a frozen bucket. Some engine really knock hard when fired on ether. I do like shooting it into the breather instead of into the cylinder. Seems like you get less shock to the system that way. Like you said if your not near electricty ether may be your only answer. Is see where the military had a fuel burning engine heater of some kind. Sounds dangerous and unneccessary for me for what I need but would have been useful out in the field I guess.

Do you own the truck in your profile pick? That thing is just to cool!

I no longer own that truck. I sold it to a guy in Kentucky who sold it to a guy in the NE, I believe, for some serious coin...over $150K! I loved the truck and did not want to part with it, but he REALLY wanted it! As we all say, everything is for sale for the right price. I actually have owned three HEMTTs, the M977 in my avatar, an M978 fueler, and an M983 tractor. The tractor currently resides with a friend and fellow SteelSoldier. The fueler was sold to a dealer. They are impressive vehicles.

 

[Carlo]

I no longer own that truck. I sold it to a guy in Kentucky who sold it to a guy in the NE, I believe, for some serious coin...over $150K! I loved the truck and did not want to part with it, but he REALLY wanted it! As we all say, everything is for sale for the right price. I actually have owned three HEMTTs, the M977 in my avatar, an M978 fueler, and an M983 tractor. The tractor currently resides with a friend and fellow SteelSoldier. The fueler was sold to a dealer. They are impressive vehicles.

Well to start I have always been a big fan of detroit motors. But the 8V92 is a screamer! Well who knows for 10 years ago I never thought I would find the funds for my first truck and now I have 10 total. The M983 is my dream machine. They come up for auction here in europe but not much. We do see more every auction. Who knows maybe some day.
Thanks for sharing your info.

 

[Scarecrow1]

You WILL damage the engine this way. The instructions on the dash CLEARLY state to release the ether while the engine is turning over. Doing it your way will overload a single cylinder that has an open intake valve! ( quote)

The sticker stated it would take 3 seconds to disperse so unless you jump the gun it should be hitting the cylinders at the same time you are cranking it. Like I stated I only used it once and there was no eruption or loud noises like some described so it must have been done right . I don't run my engine until it cranks but use 2 or 3 second cycles it is a lot less stress on the starter that way. I don't live in a place where it is much of a problem so I could most likely not use it at all and not have to worry about it ......Thanks