Warming up w/ charcoal?

[Braunchitis]

So my M1009 is having trouble starting today. It acts like the batteries are dead, but when I checked them with my multimeter I was getting 12.2V. Whoever put the batteries in before me didn't bother to punch out the little numbers on the label, so I don't know how old they are but I'm guessing that they're too cold.

I've heard of people warming up the motor by putting a small charcoal fire underneath it...has anyone tried this? Is this a bad idea?

I realize this is just a short term solution, I just need to get it going so I can go straight to NAPA and buy a heater for the batteries and/or block...

 

[drgreg]

I think it may be better to take out the batteries and warm them up in a building.
The fire might be a problem, cool but a problem.

 

[KsM715]

Does your truck leak oil? Ever see what a steak does on the grill when drippings from the fat drop into the fire?

 

[91W350]

What oil do you have in there?

A space heater and a large tarp might be a workable option.

Along these lines, they did start old Caterpillars by building fires under them, they had a lot less to burn though. Glen

 

[doghead]

Find and fix your problem. Battery heaters are not your problem

 

[6x6guy]

Your batteries might be putting out 12.2 volts but you need to obtain a load meter to determine if one or both of your batteries are sufficient to start you diesel engine, 1) good battery will not start your truck, check the battery connections first.

 

[dstang97]

Beat me to it


You can not test with a multi meter because there is no load on the battery. Do your self a favor and bring them down to get tested. That would save you the headache of troubleshooting. Another thing your starter may be on its way out has the same symptoms

 

[swyne]

Actually 12.2 is on the low. 12.7 to 13.5 is the best. Make sure you check your voltage coming from the Alts to. Be sure they are putting out at least 13.0 to 14V. If not your batteries won't last as long as they should. There is sometimes little colored stickers on the batteries with a letter and a number. That can tell you the age of a battery too. Like A6 (Jan '06) , F7 (Feb '07)

 

[emmado22]

I'd warm up CUCV and HMMWV engines out in the field by using a coleman type lantern. A bit safer than a fire, but not much... Granted there was about 5 feet of packed snow and we dug a little hole for it to sit in under the block, but it worked. It was also -30 to -50 out and the trucks were cold soaked...

 

[Westech]

unless its -65 out.. your truck will start if the glow plugs are working, you have good batteries, and you have the correct engine oil. 15W-40 works the best in the winter months.

 

[kipman]

Get yourself a block heater, mine is 600 watt, my trucks starts at 10 deg like it is 80 deg, no bag full of hammers sounds.

 

[wldrbob]

nobody uses 15 40 up here in the winter if your vehicle is outside. good block heater 0/30 or 0/40 synthetic and a battery blanket. if you want to see the difference place a cup full of each in the freezer overnight and see which one you want in your engine for the first 5 minuts however i have seen a stovepipe with an elbow on one end and a tiger torch on the other end if its 4or 5 feet long only heat gets to the oil pan works good to start a skidder or tractor

 

[Braunchitis]

Well, that didn't work. It was worth a try, though.
I like drgreg's idea...I'll give that a try.
I pulled the batteries out, one was manufactured in May 2004 and the other Oct 04... As I said the date installed was not marked on the batteries.
They are Exide 31s. Any ideas on how long these should last? Are they due for replacement?

The oil is Rotella T, 15W-40, just changed a few hundred miles ago.

 

[jsrovers]

Put in a plug style block heater and a magnetic heater on your oil pan. Buy a 5000 watt generator and plug them both in. Hopefully its not too cold for the generator to start. HAHA.

 

[Blood_of_Tyrants]

Five years is a long time in lead acid battery life. They are probably worn out. You might get a bit of more time if you use a battery conditioner.

 

[doghead]

Why guess, take them to the auto parts store ,and have them load tested.

A battery can go bad, in very little time(that's why they have warranties and pro rate them)

Also, be careful bringing them in the house to warm. Batteries can emit toxic and explosive gas.

 

[Westech]

and if warmed too fast it can bust the case.. happened a couple of times.. and if frozen and load tested they could blow up... just try to warm them slow.

 

[Recovry4x4]

A trouble light with a 100W bulb can take the edge off of some cold soak too!

 

[LEW6X6]

Anyone check to see if the batteries were hooked up correctly? Bad connections could do this also. Turn on the headlights and try to start, if the lights go out you are plenty low on battery power. If the lights stay bright, look elswhere

 

[Somemedic]

July is the time to install a block heater, not january. S-can those old batts for some new ones, make sure ALL of your gp's are in working order and try to use a synth or synth blend 15-40. Good, clean batt connections with full batts will work as well as brazillion watt block heaters, but dont do squat when the juice doesnt get to where it needs to go.

And if you really want to build a campfire under the motor like the germs did on the russian front, go ahead. Just pull the extinguisher out of the cab first. If yours leaks like mine you will probably need it.