An internet forum? Really, thanks for the news. Giving people incorrect information is NOT helpful, and can be dangerous, depending on the erroneous info given.
I'm not in any kind of lather, as you put it- but I can't abide by wrong 'internet forum' nonsense, either.
I don't need to lighten up, either- I'm here to provide useful correct info to help the OP- You? What's your purpose here?
Sure a block heater will help reduce unnecessary strain on a battery/starter in extreme cold. Where did I say I didn't believe in a block heater? :confused2: The OP is having problems at
32* and similar. Not exactly sub zero cold. His problem is not about using a block heater per se; and it won't hurt to add one once the real issue is solved. Fuel jelling can be as much a problem in below freezing temps, especially if the fuel is not winterized, or his fuel filter is clogged with dirt/water particles, etc.
Regardless of what his manual says about oil viscosity in cold temps, the oil brand and grade, especially being synthetic, and specifically for diesel engines, that I mentioned can be a big enhancer of cold starting a diesel engine. But, this is all in addition to
solving why his engine goes below 9.6 volts when cranking... See below on minimum cranking voltages allowed.
BTW, I said in my prior post: battery voltage cannot drop below 80% or battery dies a early death.
12V x 80% = 9.6 volts, minimum voltage at cranking.
Here's a link to batteries/starters/and voltage requirements. It happens to be about marine engines, and marine diesels, but the main voltage issues at the battery and starter are common to all engines.
It may help the OP better understand his starting issues.
Link:
Marine Starting Systems
BTW, I owned and ran a foreign auto repair and sales shop for over ten years here in VT. We routinely saw frozen diesels off the mountains with skiers and the like. Block heaters did NOTHING to get their diesel Benzes started in sub-zero weather. What did get them started was thawing them in a 80* shop for several hours, a complete fluid change, oil, fuel, etc., and adding Red Line Diesel catalyst to their fuel tanks.
Most often they cranked their batteries 'till dead too. Sometimes we'd have to replace those too, with Interstate batteries, for which I was a dealer.