BX2200 starts rough when cold

rbarker · Jan 18, 2004

Last week I posted about my BX not starting in the cold. I have run it twice since getting it going and both times it started quickly but ran like it was missing a cylinder for about 30 to 45 seconds before smoothing out. This thing was really shaking and clanking! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Once it smooths out it seems to run just fine and restarts perfect when warm.

Is this something to be concerned with or is it still related to the cold weather? I have not done anything about a block heater yet and the temps were mid 20's. The fuel is winter blend treated with a Powerservice product called Deisel 911.

My experience with gas engines goes back about 35 years but I have none with deisels up until this tractor so I am just trying to identify what's "normal" for this unit.

Will_C · Jan 18, 2004

Bob; I try not to start mine cold (I warm it with a salamander heater when it is not in my "warm" garage), but I have noticed the same behavior the few times I have started cold, 20-25 degrees.
Will

Mrwurm · Jan 18, 2004

Bob, my NH TC30 behaves the same way when started cold. I was wondering the same things you are. I'll keep tuned in for the answers.

Junkman · Jan 18, 2004

To understand this "misfire" you have to understand that it takes heat and compression to fire a diesel. This is normal for a diesel engine. I started mine today and the block heater hasn't been plugged in for a couple of days. It acted the same way. When I plug it in for a couple of hours, all 3 cylinders will fire and the engine will be smooth. Today, it took a couple of minutes for all to be firing smoothly and the engine did produce more smoke than usual. This is usual for a cold diesel engine. It is best to get the block heater for $35 and install it. A warm engine has less wear than a cold engine and you will save the cost down the road by having a long life from your engine. Spend a little now and save a lot later on... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

RalphVa · Jan 18, 2004

See my other post for when you said it wouldn't start.

Open the throttle up on that sucker, about 1/3 to maybe as much as 1/2 way. Be sure you have some 5wxx or 0wxx oil in there to ensure oil gets to your valve train quickly under higher rpm startup. Actually, probably 10wxx at the 20ish temps you mention ought to be good enough.

Ralph

rbarker · Jan 18, 2004

( Today, it took a couple of minutes for all to be firing smoothly and the engine did produce more smoke than usual. This is usual for a cold diesel engine. It is best to get the block heater for $35 and install it. )

Thanks Junkman and others. The consensus is it is normal for a cold engine. Today after I posted this I started it to clean up a couple of inches of snow and it started smoothly. The temp was about 10 degrees warmer, thought.

The block heater is a definate, just been too preoccupied with other issues to address this yet.

Junkman · Jan 19, 2004

( See my other post for when you said it wouldn't start.

Open the throttle up on that sucker, about 1/3 to maybe as much as 1/2 way. Be sure you have some 5wxx or 0wxx oil in there to ensure oil gets to your valve train quickly under higher rpm startup. Actually, probably 10wxx at the 20ish temps you mention ought to be good enough.

Ralph )

Ralph.... that is the wrong thing to do in my opinion. The last thing that you want to do with a cold engine is to push the rpm's any higher than necessary when starting cold. This is when the piston connecting rods are at their most brittle state. If you rev a cold engine, you run the chance of throwing a connecting rod through the block. I will admit that it isn't likely on a BX because it is a newer engine, but an engine with wear on it, it is a definite possibility. I don't care what type of oil you use, it is still a cold engine and the oil will not protect it if you rev it . You might do this with your engine, but I wouldn't do it with mine, nor would I advise anyone else to do it.