Diesel cold starts

[bandmiller2]

Many of us have diesels on our mills that are slightly past prime.My Dagenham was not interested in milling much below 20 degrees no glow plugs or outher starting aids.I don't care much for the starting fluid route.Only outher option heat, no freeze plugs/core holes,Used the small 1000 watt can and two hoses.The best heaters fit in the freeze plug holes.What a differance one hour with the heater and the old Dag thinks its summer.Even if your engine will start a block heater saves starters ,batteries,and adds life to the engine.Frank C.

[Captain]

I agree to all Frank.  I try to plug in the equipment when I can.  I've got to explore the Freightliner a bit for a good heater plugin, it is supposed to be at the driver's step in a housing but is missing....srtarted it yesterday at 15 degrees F and it was a bit of a struggle.

Captain

[LeeB]

I deffinately agree about not using starter fluid. Once you start bottle feeding one, you'll never ween it off the stuff.

[bandmiller2]

Starter fluid is litterly like crack to an engine,once they get hooked its hard to wean them off.Frank C.

[bandmiller2]

Cappy,I think the block heater is an option ,alot depending on where the truck was shipped.For an over the road truck I would really only consider a freeze plug type ,less chance of leaks and loosing coolant.Not a bad job if you can reach the core plug.Frank C.

[Captain]

Found it.  The plug end had seperated (rotted from) from the housing at the driver's step.  Luckily, it did not start dragging in the street.

Captain

[Tom Sawyer]

This won't work for everyone, but with my WM's Cat I find that if I bring the removable fuel tank into the truck and place it where the hot air blows out while I am driving to the job, put the tank back on and pump the hand bulb for a couple of minutes until the warm fuel is into the system the engine starts much better.

Tom

[Sprucegum]

 8) I never heard of warming up the gas before but I know lots of guys who bring in their batteries to keep them warm, gives them more Zip when you're starting a cold motor.

[Stephen Alford]

If you happen to be stuck for a heat source the exhaust from your pickup helps.  A piece of shop rubber flexie pipe for exhaust discharge stuck over the tailpipe and placed under the fuel pump, battery cables to bring up charge, then just before you turn her over stick the exhaust flexie pipe in the air intake.  Also works for frozen fuel lines. With the tank not always full anymore moisture is more of a problem. 

[stonebroke]

I find if i use a 50/50 blend my tractors start much better in the winter.

Stonebroke