Hate to do it but another cold start thread

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Nov 28, 2013 | 08:21 PM

#31

kefrko

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From: Plumsteadville PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by t.scottNDU

Hey kefrko, did you ever get anything figured out? I always let my truck warm up until the water temp needle starts to move, at least. We've done this with every diesel truck we've ever had, dozens of them. Our injection system is oil powered. I know my blood circulates poorly when it's 15* outside, so why wouldn't it be the same with our oil? I know I'm probably a little off, but makes me and my buns feel better when I hop in the truck on those cold mornings...

I haven't had a chance between work and the short holiday week plus the weather broke a little and it's at least back up into the 30's which the truck seems ok with. I like to let the truck warmup too but a lot of times I am leaving the house around 5:30am and it's a townhouse. Even with the stock air box it sounds like a jet engine when the High idle kicks in on these cold mornings. Normally when it starts I will put it I drive and idle out of the neighborhood and give it a little time to warm. I still need to pop the drivers side battery box open and see if that battery has a sticker and then get them and the alt tested.

Nov 28, 2013 | 08:41 PM

#32

t.scottNDU

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Joined: Sep 2013

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From: Hagerstown, MD

Ah, I bet you get some annoyed neighbors! I live on 16 acres, so I start her up and let it whistle like mad. Straight pipe seems to amplify it a bit! That's funny though, I start the truck at 5 and leave at 5:15 as well.
Well, let us know how it turns out when you crack the case!

Nov 28, 2013 | 08:51 PM

#33

cleatus12r

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From: Reed Point, MT

Quote:

Originally Posted by kefrko

I thought around 10.5 and above otherwise the computer stuff won't function properly in the starting process. Obviously there are exceptions because mine did get down into the 9's for a moment and it did still eventually start.

The key thing here being EVENTUALLY start.

The physics behind battery functions and the current demands put on them is what is causing your confusion about the engine actually starting when you've seen a reading of 9.xx volts.

If you graph the voltage AND amperage readings taken at the battery posts during a cranking session, you'll see exactly why your engine eventually starts....even when you see that low 9.xx voltage. Ohm's Law at its finest.

Do you have battery problems? It's likely as you shouldn't get THAT low of a reading, even at initial solenoid contact. However, come summer time you'll likely never notice there's an issue.....until NEXT winter. Your batteries still recover quickly enough that they're borderline bad...but not toast.

Nov 29, 2013 | 05:11 AM

#34

kefrko

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From: Plumsteadville PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleatus12r

The key thing here being EVENTUALLY start. The physics behind battery functions and the current demands put on them is what is causing your confusion about the engine actually starting when you've seen a reading of 9.xx volts. If you graph the voltage AND amperage readings taken at the battery posts during a cranking session, you'll see exactly why your engine eventually starts....even when you see that low 9.xx voltage. Ohm's Law at its finest. Do you have battery problems? It's likely as you shouldn't get THAT low of a reading, even at initial solenoid contact. However, come summer time you'll likely never notice there's an issue.....until NEXT winter. Your batteries still recover quickly enough that they're borderline bad...but not toast.

I didn't really think I did. I got the truck about 2 1/2 months ago so I have been in the process of doing some mods and just trying to get a baseline of what it needs. I saw the 2011 sticker on the passenger side battery and I would like to assume the driver side battery was replaced at the same time but I just haven't had a chance to remove the plastic cover to double check. I replaced the GPR with a stancor because it was not functioning properly and I had a hard start in the upper 40's. When I started removing it, two of the old terminals literally crumbled off. I thought that was the problem solver but then the weather changed and 30's didn't seem to bad. It was when we hit the 20's that It first happened.

Dec 11, 2013 | 12:37 PM

#35

kefrko

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From: Plumsteadville PA

Thanks to everyone for their help. Just to give you a follow up. I still haven't had a chance to test the batteries but i did pick up some diesel kleen and added it to the tank with the last two full ups. This morning was the test because it was back in the high teens /low 20's which is what gave me the trouble before. I let the GPR cycle one full time and half again and it started right up. I also picked up some diesel 911 to keep in the truck. I want to try again tomorrow morning when the truck is good and cold and see if I can get away with just around 1 minute of glow plug time. I will be changing my fuel filter as soon as they come in the mail to make sure that is good and clean. Thanks again.