cold starts
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 1
From: Green Lane, Pa.
It will take my truck 2-3 seconds to start at around 20 deg. never plugged it in. Depending on where you live you should add cetane booster, if your buying your fuel in calif. don't waste your money on cetane booster.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
If you are trying to start as soon as the 'wait to start' lite goes off
try waiting much longer.
The glow plugs run for nearly 2 minutes. On cold days (or 30s in FL)
leave the key on for 1 to 2 minutes - w/o trying to crank the engine.
Then turn key off for 10-15 seconds.
Then key on again, when the 'wait to start' lite goes out try cranking
it then and it should start easier.
It seems this lets the plugs get much warmer, and by cycling the key
you let the fuel pump re-pressurize the system for an easier start.
try waiting much longer.
The glow plugs run for nearly 2 minutes. On cold days (or 30s in FL)
leave the key on for 1 to 2 minutes - w/o trying to crank the engine.
Then turn key off for 10-15 seconds.
Then key on again, when the 'wait to start' lite goes out try cranking
it then and it should start easier.
It seems this lets the plugs get much warmer, and by cycling the key
you let the fuel pump re-pressurize the system for an easier start.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Does the R of K mandate a minimum cetane rating? I think Texas does also, but I don't know how they enforce it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,392
Likes: 1
From: Green Lane, Pa.
California's law for diesel says 50 cetane minimum, in Pa where I live all you see is 40 minimum but most stations don't even post it. Hess stations post ratings. P.S. I heard in Canada you can get as low as 38 cetane, 55 cetane is pretty much standard in Europe from what I was told.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
What weight oil are you running?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2011
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I have no idea what my ambient engine temp is as I don't have gauges yet, but it's been around -15*F here in the morning. I let the glow plugs warm up until the glow plug light turns off, it cranks about 5 times, then starts. Running 5W-30.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Try this:
- Crank as soon as the "glow plug" light is off.
- 5w-30 is not spec oil... is it? Are you using gasser oil and not HD Diesel oil?
- Synthetic really flows well at -15F or lower --- so next winter try 5w-40 synthetic or better.
- If you are pushing -40... consider the 0w-40 synthetic oil
- Use a block heater
- Batteries / cables / alternators must be in top shape.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Are you sure it is not 10w-30?
API directory list exactly 2 (same brand / licensee) that is 5w-30 CJ-4 approved.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,880
Likes: 3,592
Also recommended are 0W-30 and 0W-40 from below -20*F up to 50 *F;
Even 10W-30 is recommended from -20*F to 50*F, but acceptable to 90*F;
5W-30 for cold temps, but not for hotter temps .... the manual says from below -20*F up to 30*F.
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Try this:
- Crank as soon as the "glow plug" light is off.
- 5w-30 is not spec oil... is it? Are you using gasser oil and not HD Diesel oil?
- Synthetic really flows well at -15F or lower --- so next winter try 5w-40 synthetic or better.
- If you are pushing -40... consider the 0w-40 synthetic oil
- Use a block heater
- Batteries / cables / alternators must be in top shape.
- Crank as soon as the "glow plug" light is off.
- 5w-30 is not spec oil... is it? Are you using gasser oil and not HD Diesel oil?
- Synthetic really flows well at -15F or lower --- so next winter try 5w-40 synthetic or better.
- If you are pushing -40... consider the 0w-40 synthetic oil
- Use a block heater
- Batteries / cables / alternators must be in top shape.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
0W-40 CJ-4 is for the real hard core.
I may try it next winter if I am posted to booniestan.
Am right now working on how to keep batteries from freezing at -50
70% coolant / 30% water will protect me in that department.