First Time Start Preparations NOTICE: Do not increase engine speed if the oil pressure gauge indicates no oil pressure. Shut down the engine within approximately ten seconds to avoid engine damage. Check to determine the cause of the problem. NOTE: Do not place the engine under full load until it reaches operating temperature. Colder engine temperatures will cause the engine to preset idle up to 900 rpm. Even at a high idle condition, you do not have to wait for engine warm up and return to normal 600 rpm idle to drive the truck. 6. Monitor the oil pressure gauge immediately after starting the engine. Cold Weather Operation Special precautions must be taken during cold weather.
To protect your engine, special cold weather handling is required for fuel, engine oil, coolant, and batteries. NOTICE: To avoid engine damage, DO NOT use any type of aerosol spray, e.g., ether, starting fluid or brake cleaner to aid in starting the engine. For engines with a grid heater: WARNING: BODILY INJURY To avoid injury from an explosion, do not use ether or starting fluid on engines equipped with a manifold (grid) heater. Temperatures below -20°C (-4°F) may require a block heater and oil pan heater. Winter Fronts Winter fronts on DD engines are seldom necessary due to the modern design of the engine cooling system.
The coolant thermostat is on the outlet side of the cooling system on the DD Platform engine and regulates coolant flow to the radiator into the engine. The thermostat regulates coolant flow to control the temperature of the coolant within the coolant circuit. The following benefits are a result from regulating the coolant at the inlet temperature side of the engine: Reduced thermal cycling of the engine Operating temperature is reached faster Improved vehicle heating because of better temperature regulation Further information on the thermostat function may be found in the Coolant Thermostat section of the GHG17 Medium Duty Workshop Manual (DDC-SVC- MAN-0194).
Use of a winter front on a DD Platform engine, particularly those that are fully closed, will cause performance issues and is not recommended on DD Platform engines. Winter fronts can result in the following: 30 All information subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2017 DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION DDC-SVC-MAN-0192