Proper Cold Weather Starting

woolyAcres · Dec 12, 2015

Checked my thermostart this morning and it heats up! I removed the air inlet and activated it. Sure enough a little red glow from the heating element. I don't think I'm getting diesel fuel all the way in yet. Although I saw some smoke, I never saw any flame but only tried it once. I was nervous about sucking something without using the air filter. After replacing the air inlet hose I removed the fuel line to the thermostart and slowly primed that line. It's all hooked up and ran well this morning moving some firewood. I'm still not sure the temp sensor is working so getting that gauge installed is my next task followed by the loader valve. I'll have some time off between Christmas and New Years. Hopefully the weather will be decent so I can work on replumbing that.

Thanks to everyone for the input and help. My decompression is now working correctly and I think the the thermostart is as well.

Neat 1500 · Dec 13, 2015

If a thermostart bowl has been empty for some time it takes a while for it to prime itself before it will work properly. Once primed it will flame up nicely and preheat the intake. Mine has been empty for at least 5 years as I don't need it.

California · Dec 13, 2015

I tried the full throttle start on the YM186D yesterday. (40 degree weather).

I didn't like how hard it accelerated or the high rpm attained, in the moment before I could get the throttle reduced.

Won't do that again.

Agvg · Dec 13, 2015

Suppose cold start must be defined, have started diesel engines at -30c and they sure don't run off with full throttle.

davesl708 · Dec 13, 2015

Agvg said:
Suppose cold start must be defined, have started diesel engines at -30c and they sure don't run off with full throttle.

Cold is relative. Here my average winter low is around the mid twenties. Occasionally it will drop below zero.
I am pretty lucky. My BX has never had an issue starting at idle or a little above in my cold weather with a few seconds on the glow plugs.