Starting a tractor in extreme cold temperatures

[Billrog]

Mine recycles every time i turn the key off and back on again.

 

[Raul-02]

rick to start a diesel engine in such extreme temperatures

I hd an older Benz when I lives north of Bangor Maine. I fixed hose from my water heater went out and used that to heat the engine. Did that a for a while and then installed a blockheater. The block heater was just the ticket.
The ice rink for driveway was a PITA

 

[SylvainG]

Today it was -5C and with just one cycle of the glow plugs (8 seconds), it did start on the first turn of the engine, so I think my glow plugs are working. Tractor starts at -20C too, it's just when below -30C that it doesn't want to start. I turns, gray smoke comes out from the muffler but no ignition. Someone mention to keep turning the engine but I was told (well for gas engine), that it's not good for the starter as it heats up. But at -30C, should that be an issue? If my battery can keep turning the engine, can I keep the switch on Start until it starts or drain the battery trying?

 

[SylvainG]

I think you must wait 30 seconds between glow plug cycles for the computer to reset.

That tractor is from 2010 and knows nothing of a 'computer'. It's even an indirect injection without DPF regen. Almost as basic as it can get.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

That tractor is from 2010 and knows nothing of a 'computer'. It's even an indirect injection without DPF regen. Almost as basic as it can get.

I saw a video of a guy starting an older Case diesel that had no glow plugs and no block heater. He temporarily removed an air filter to intake air tube at the manifold and used a propane torch when cranking. The warm air helped the engine get the engine warm enough to start to ignite the diesel. No really practical with a cab tractor though. My old Ford won't start at temps below 20 Fahrenheit and I was going to give it a try, but it warmed up into the mid 20s and it started. It now stays in the warm garage.

 

[SylvainG]

Won't the propane torch burn the oxygen and just end up ingesting CO instead? Not that I want to try this lol.

 

[Billrog]

Today it was -5C and with just one cycle of the glow plugs (8 seconds), it did start on the first turn of the engine, so I think my glow plugs are working. Tractor starts at -20C too, it's just when below -30C that it doesn't want to start. I turns, gray smoke comes out from the muffler but no ignition. Someone mention to keep turning the engine but I was told (well for gas engine), that it's not good for the starter as it heats up. But at -30C, should that be an issue? If my battery can keep turning the engine, can I keep the switch on Start until it starts or drain the battery trying?

When it's -20 or colder if you use some kind of elec. heater next to your injection pump for a 1/2 hr. or so , or heat gun it will start much easier. Far better than burning out your starter. Where you with those temps. install a block or circulating heater.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Won't the propane torch burn the oxygen and just end up ingesting CO instead? Not that I want to try this lol.

The propane torch will produce CO like you say but there will be enough O2 sucked in with the warm air to support combustion.

 

[Billrog]

I've used a 10' piece of stove pipe with an elbow under the oil pan with a tiger torch at the other end when there was elec. where my backhoe was parked. @ -30 may take 1/2 hr. or more depending on wind.

 

[pmsmechanic]

The propane torch will produce CO like you say but there will be enough O2 sucked in with the warm air to support combustion.

I should add to this that diesel engines can run incredibly lean. I just did a quick search and the air/fuel ratio on a diesel can run from 2:1 at full load to 100:1 at an idle. Since a diesel engine is not running at full throttle when it starts there is lots of O2 there to support combustion.