TM 5-2420-230-24-2
Air Intake Manifold Heater (010-072)
B3.9 and B5.9 Series Engines
Page 10-52
Section 10 - Air Intake System - Group 10
Air Intake Manifold Heater (010-072)
General Information
WARNING
To avoid personal injury and property damage, never use starting fluid with the air intake manifold heater.
Starting fluid, which contains ether, can cause an explosion.
WARNING
Starting fluid is highly flammable and explosive. Keep flames, sparks, and arcing switches away from starting
fluid. This combination can cause an explosion and bodily injury.
Warning labels, Part No. 3927335, must be installed in locations obvious to the operator, near the most likely point of
entry of ether, and on a visible side of the heater. The sun visor and the air cleaner intake would be two examples.
The 12-VDC B Series charge air cooled, turbocharged, and naturally aspirated engines (6BTAA, 6BT, and 6B) use the
air intake manifold heater as a cold weather starting aid. There is no air intake manifold heater for the water jacket
aftercooled engine (6BTA) or 24-VDC electrical system at this time, and the air intake manifold heater is not compatible
with marine applications.
Benefits from an air intake manifold heater include:
Quicker start times
Smoother engine running after starting
Replaces ether as a starting aid
Extends starter and battery life through less cranking.
The air intake manifold heater is very similiar to the popular light-duty truck application grid heater in use since 1988.
This heater electronically controls the two heating elements to optimize cold weather starts and improved cold engine
running.
Engine mounted hardware includes:
Air intake manifold heater
Temperature sensor
Controller
Wiring harness.
NOTE: The kit does not include 6 AWG wire or ring terminals needed for the battery and other connections.
White smoke indicates unburned fuel during cold engine operation.
The intake manifold heater system is not directly connected to the fuel system, but it monitors the temperature of the
air to the engine. The thermistor sends varying resistance values to the electronic control module, or equivalent. The
ECM in turn controls the WAIT-TO-START lamp and the heater solenoids.
The intake manifold heater elements operate in both the preheat and postheat modes.
In preheat, the ignition switch is on, but the engine has not been started.
In postheat, the engine is running.
The proper operation of the intake manifold heater system and starting procedures will preclude excessive engine
starter motor use and minimize white exhaust smoke when the engine is first started.
L-1176
