timing & cold start & block heater
 

Hi, I have my 1992 VE pump advanced pretty high, starts real well until 20* or so. With no KSB advance. Any colder it starts very hard, with or without the KSB advance. I'm currantly not using my manifold pre-heat, I believe the pre heats just make the engine idle smoothly? The question is if my pump is timed too far, will that cause a cold start issue? Also, my block heater does not work and looking a Zerostart 350-0030? Is this the best deal? Artie

Remember diesels fire by the heat of compression. Cold air hard to fire, hot air (heaters) easier to fire. Try hooking your pre heat up and see what happens

The CTD is in a 01 Fummins, and would need to build a circut with a solenoid, which would be fine, if that will help? I always thought the block and head tempature was the biggest factor? Someone correct me. I did leave the grid heater, just in case. How long is a safe time to manually leave the Grid heater on? Would NOT want to melt one down. Thanks, Artie

Scroll down the threads in this list to Grid heater troubles.
You could use the temp switch to run a relay/solenoid or just run the relay with a push button switch as in the other thread.

As blackduck said....you want to heat the air, not try and burn the heater out. On my trucks, I have a pushbutton wired to my heaters, 5 to 8 seconds is all thats needed. But like in a ice storm, I might hit it twice. Do what you want, but that block heater will keep alot of undue engine wear down, not to mention faster, smoother starts....