Diesel: cold weather starting

[creekbend]

Your profile states Upstate NY. I have been to Watertown, NY and I know your winters are pretty severe. Our winters aren't normally as frigid as yours, but I use Power Service anti-gel in our tractor and it is kept out of the elements. If I lived where you reside, I would install a block heater. Best wishes.

 

[QRTRHRS]

For tractor fuel, I would treat with a product many ag companies carry, FPPF. For plugging in, start with two hours and increase as needed. If you want to use a timer, get one for a water heater and wire a decent extention cord into it. Much heavier than a timer for say Xmas lights. I usually unplug the block heater before I turn over my engines. Some say if that will prevent cold water should there be some to circulate will ruin a hot element.

 

[SPIKER]

Living in Ohio and having my 3 cyl direct injection tractor (2002 China version) I have mostly used just the Glow Plugs, and have had ot replace the 3 of them once 5 or so years ago. I have added about 5~15% Kero for a few years to help but have to admit it has run well without it. I installed a KATS Water Jacket heater into the lower heater hose, it only takes about 30 min to warm it up pretty good when parked inside I above 30F. When below 30F I plug it in and also stick the Heat Lamp onto the FEL and shine it onto the injection pump. I have the heat lamp setting about 20inches away and it shines onto the injection lines as well as onto the pump & filter. For first 10 years this was all I did, Heat Lamp for 30 min and worked below -20 well. Lowest I ever started it was -32 when the car was stuck in the drive and HAD to get the tractor going to plow it out. That took the Heat Lamp and I also added my dual 500 watt work lamps under the tractor pointing up at the Pan. I waded into the farm drive and to the barn, plugged them in and headed into the house to change into cold weather plowing gear. Went out and 7 sec on glow plugs cranked and smoke, but no fire, 7 more sec cranked and fired up but REALLY slow hydros... Heat Lamps and 500Watt work lights were on it for maybe 20 min... I also have tossed tarp over FEL and used Torpedo Heater to warm it all up (5 feet away blowing into one side.) First year I owned tractor all I had was a roof over it open sides, the Tarp and Heat Lamps worked outside well with the Kero added.

Mark

 

[mj007]

So far (-25F) all I've needed on my '05 Dodge is the factory heating grid (takes the place of glow-plugs) but I would have plugged in the block heater when I shut it off (Uses a lot less elec. if it's already warm) had there been been any electricity handy. As it was I cycled the heat grid twice and she fired right up. As for additives I run Schaeffer's Winter Treat 2000 or Diesel Treat (both in the winter formula). With the advent of UltraLowSulphurDiesel (ULSD) it's import to add SOME kind of extra lubricity to the fuel in earlier engines and I use those in the winter and Schaeffer's Nuetra (or the summer blend of the other 2) in the summer. Here's more info - Lubricity Additive Study Results - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

 

[buickanddeere]

NEVER put gasoline into diesel. It'll create a possible explosive atmosphere above the fuel in the tank.

Ralph

What ? And diesel vapours are not flammable in the correct ratio? Gasoline tanks are not dangerous nor are gasoline vapours flammable at the correct AF ratio ?

 

[Raw Dodge]

IMO the single best thing you can do is run full synthetic diesel 5 w40 oil, regular 15 w 40 is molasses in the sub zero temperatures,it really adds tremendous drag to spinning the cold engine. I have started my dodge cummins and duramax here in upstate nys down to -12 without any issues .i run it in my ford 1910 tractor and it's never plugged in and it starts all winter easily I use it for loading my salt spreaders,and my caterpillar 246 which doesn't have a block heater,it starts every time without assistance of jumpers,heaters, or ether,just cycle the glow plugs 2x and fire it up. I run a winter fuel additive religiously and always check your WIF drains more often even if you have a WIF sensor,don't trust it .

 

[jymbee]

Something way overlooked here on the 24/7 block heater vs. 2hrs on a timer.
Is it a 1500W or 300W block heater?
Large or small engine?
A battery warmer makes a huge difference.
Machine parked inside or outside in blizzard winds?
Is the machine used at a regular time or at random short notice?
Glad somebody asked how cold is cold?
Then there are those who will only use a block heater if the engine won't otherwise start. Even if the machine would start without pre-heating. Reduction of electrical system wear. Reduced cold start wear. Lower fuel comsumption from shorter warmup time and improved engine efficiency when warm.

Good questions. I'm just getting back to read all the interesting comments about different approaches to cold weather starting a diesel. Much appreciated.

The block heater installed in my Massey 1652 (52HP) is 400 watts. It will be outside this winter but hopefully in a shed attached to a garage I plan to build next Spring. Winter use will be fairly regular to haul firewood to stove, skid fresh cut trees for firewood, and worst case-- dig out smaller plow tractor in the event of major snowfall. [g] Also, I typically get called on to dig a few "city people" out of ditches around these back roads. Folks who think that since their shiny new SUV has 4WD that it will go anywhere at any speed.

Winter temps vary of course but average cold seems to be in the high teens/low 20s overnight with occasional dips below zero.

Your comment:

Even if the machine would start without pre-heating. Reduction of electrical system wear. Reduced cold start wear. Lower fuel comsumption from shorter warmup time and improved engine efficiency when warm.

is pretty much the same thing the mechanics at the dealer said. Even if not a necessity, it will help for all those reasons.

Also, good idea about the battery warmer. Not familiar with those but will definitely look into them. That be a good item to use for the JD plow tractor & GMC pickup.

Thanks much for the input.

 

[DeereMann]

What ? And diesel vapours are not flammable in the correct ratio? Gasoline tanks are not dangerous nor are gasoline vapours flammable at the correct AF ratio ?

b&d: ASTM avg. flash point temp of gasoline is -40 F/C, for No. 2 diesel it is +125 deg F. huge difference. gasoline is a solvent has zero lubricity (neither does kerosene/No.1 diesel for that matter). I rely on winter blended fuel by local refiners tailored to avg. temp conditions. They generally get down to 50/50 No.2/No.1 diesel blend during coldest part of winter. Always boost lubricity then with supplemental fuel additive then. I have seen blends down to 30/70 No.2/No.1 !

I use Optilube XPD fuel additive (also has cetane enhancer). Since No. 1 also has less energy than No. 2 and is more expensive, the refiners change back to 100% No. 2 as soon as avg. temps let them. I use Mobil 1 TurboDiesel Truck 5W-40 synthetic engine oil year round, and double cycle the cylinder glow plugs.

 

[farmer2009]

On tractors I leave them plugged in all the time but I also use them daily. If I try to just plugin before I need it something will come up and I will forget the I am using Starting Fluid to get them going would rather just have them warm.

As far as an additive I use Power Service fuel treatment. They guarantee it not to gel.

 

[terryknight]

something i have yet to see mentioned is a heated dipstick. we use it in the backhoe pull out the dipstick, put in the heated one, plug into electricity, done. used this on our backhoe that doesn't have GPs or a blockheater.

always used the white power service in the winter