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cold startswith the PSD?

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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 05:31 PM
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cold startswith the PSD?

Hey Guys,
I noticed that when i first try starting my truck on a cold mornings it won't fire if i keep letting it turn over. But when i cycle the glow plugs on and off, like three times, it fires up no problem. Anybody do the same? Is this normal. My first winter with a diesel.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 05:41 PM
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you need to plug that truck in at night, it has a block heater that came on it from the factory... and you have to give the glow plugs a chance to heat up before you turn it over... that means you have to wait for several seconds....if you are doing that and it is not starting you may have a prob with your glow plugs...
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by johnny8
you need to plug that truck in at night, it has a block heater that came on it from the factory... and you have to give the glow plugs a chance to heat up before you turn it over... that means you have to wait for several seconds....if you are doing that and it is not starting you may have a prob with your glow plugs...
Yeah...one morning i didn't plug it in and it didn't fire the first time...even after waiting for the glow plug light to go out. So i tried a few on off cyles and got it to start. Thanks Johnny...what should i expect? I'm experimenting right now so when i take the sled to Cananda i won't be left high and dry with a frozen PSD.
Outlets aren't always handy...know what i mean?
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 06:12 PM
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some mobil 1 5w40 truck and suv oil will help with the cold starts... other than that.. make sure your batteries are up to snuff... and if it is really cold out and you couldn't plug it it maybe try cycling the glow plugs twice before you start.... plugging in is always the best way to go though... hard to beat for quick starts and quick warmups when it really gets cold out...
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 06:18 PM
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Have u noticed your glow pkugs staying on longer in colder weather. I noticed it happening on an H-1 Hummer i test drove one winter back in '95. Not sure...do they have a timer or are they thermostat regulated?
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 06:23 PM
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i think they are temp regulated, and i don't think the dash light is hooked to them... it comes on whenever you start the truck and it is on a timer i think...
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 06:26 PM
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There are a number of things that regulate the time the glow plugs stay on. It all depends on what the temperature of everything is. If it is colder, they are going to stay on longer. I usually wait like 15-20 seconds after the light goes out to turn the engine over on cold starts. The glow pulgs are still on after the light goes out. I then usually let her idle for a good 10 minutes or so before I take off.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by johnny8
i think they are temp regulated, and i don't think the dash light is hooked to them... it comes on whenever you start the truck and it is on a timer i think...
OK...so u see the light come on then go out and then wait a few more seconds and presto...the awesome sound of that mighty PSD comes to life...geez...real dramatic ehhh? I don't know...just love hearing that big motor come to life...the wife can't appreciate it...thinks i'm a little nutty!!??
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by cangim
There are a number of things that regulate the time the glow plugs stay on. It all depends on what the temperature of everything is. If it is colder, they are going to stay on longer. I usually wait like 15-20 seconds after the light goes out to turn the engine over on cold starts. The glow pulgs are still on after the light goes out. I then usually let her idle for a good 10 minutes or so before I take off.
Excellent! THank You Sir! U catch that johnny? Next time i'll wait. Just got to get used to the waiting thing.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 06:33 PM
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when my truck got traded in to the dealership i was working at it was cold at night... the meatballs who went out to start it couldn't get it started... so i went out and cycled the glow plugs a couple of times and she started right up... they were all amazed and asked how i knew to do that... i simply said... "i'm smart and i listen and i read the instructions... do you guys even know what a diesel is...?" none of them did...
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by johnny8
when my truck got traded in to the dealership i was working at it was cold at night... the meatballs who went out to start it couldn't get it started... so i went out and cycled the glow plugs a couple of times and she started right up... they were all amazed and asked how i knew to do that... i simply said... "i'm smart and i listen and i read the instructions... do you guys even know what a diesel is...?" none of them did...
Amazing...and scarey!
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by johnny8
when my truck got traded in to the dealership i was working at it was cold at night... the meatballs who went out to start it couldn't get it started... so i went out and cycled the glow plugs a couple of times and she started right up... they were all amazed and asked how i knew to do that... i simply said... "i'm smart and i listen and i read the instructions... do you guys even know what a diesel is...?" none of them did...
Meatballs. Hahahahah!

BTW, if your glow plugs are in good working order your truck will start without plugging in down to well below freezing. Plugging in the block heater is optional. It certainly helps to have the engine warmed up a bit in the winter, but it's not necessary just to get the engine running.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
Meatballs. Hahahahah!

BTW, if your glow plugs are in good working order your truck will start without plugging in down to well below freezing. Plugging in the block heater is optional. It certainly helps to have the engine warmed up a bit in the winter, but it's not necessary just to get the engine running.
My truck has 58k miles on it and still has the engine warranty. What makes the glowplugs go bad?
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by PSNut
My truck has 58k miles on it and still has the engine warranty. What makes the glowplugs go bad?
They are like miniature oven elements, and getting red hot on the tip. They simply burn out like a light bulb.
 
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Old Nov 22, 2005 | 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
They are like miniature oven elements, and getting red hot on the tip. They simply burn out like a light bulb.
So they can vary in longevity depending on conditions?...like higher EGT's due to various reasons(like hot chips, burning nitro,nitous oxide, propane...etc?).
 
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