Cold Starting

[vtdiesel]

I'm happy to report that my L3710 started without any trouble after a -25 deg. night outside. The glow plugs only stayed on for about 20 sec. and it started after about 1 revolution. Impressive. I have three diesel vehicles and they never started that good on a cold day. I do run Howes diesel treatment. It did take a while to warm up so that it would move.

 

[carver4591]

My BX is a bear to start in the single digets whats this treatment you mention? Brad

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My BX is a bear to start in the single digets whats this treatment you mention? Brad )</font>

Invest in a block heater and your BX will start no matter what the temperature. The fuel treatments are for diesel fuel gelling, which is the separation of the wax in the diesel fuel from the other components. When this happens, the wax cannot get through the small passages and the fuel doesn't get to the injectors. With a good fuel treatment, you will get the engine running easier, but it still will need a longer warming period than if you have a block heater. The block heater will be the single best $35 investment that you will ever make in that tractor. When a engine block is very cold, there can be ice crystals that form in the combustion chamber that will prevent the engine from starting. With a warm engine block, you don't have this problem. As an experiment, take a piece of steel that has been outside and put it on the kitchen counter (wife allowing) and then pick it up an hour later. You will be surprised at how it holds the cold even when it is in a warm environment.

 

[billbill1]

Junkman is 100% right, I can't believe the difference the (lower radiator hose heater) made on my tractor. Mine would start-but it would cough and sputter without the heat. With the heater plugged in for 30-45 minutes it starts like a 60 degree day.

 

[JimMorrissey]

That's just the way BXs are. Mine was a real pain to start in the cold. I had to plug it in at 15 degrees or colder.

My 3830 will start instantly at -20.

 

[vtdiesel]

The treatment is HOWES Diesel Treatment
The web site is Howes
You can added any amount and you can't over dose.

Christopher

 

[ByronBob]

I'm with Junk. The block heater is the cat's meow. It starts way easier with it when it's zero out. I never have my glow plugs on for more than 15 seconds after the heater is on for an hour.

 

[Don_Sullivan]

I did invest in a (lower radiator hose) block heater for my BX1500 but put it on the shelf when I looked at the major surgery required to install it. Meanwhile a regular electric heater under the loader pedestal and blowing toward the engine for 1/2 to 1 hour brings the engine to life at 5 to 10 degrees just fine.

Don

 

[CT_Kubota]

The wealth of knowledge on this forum is unbelievable. I have had little need to post because I can usually find the answer to my question just by searching. With that said here is my Newbie question. My BX23 hates to start in the cold and from what I am reading that is normal, but what concerns me is that even in the summer heat the glow plug indicator on the dash never shuts off no matter how long I hold the key to pre heat. Am I doing something wrong or is this normal as well?

 

[Junkman]

The glow plug indicator doesn't ever shut off until you remove the key switch from the glow position. This is unlike cars where the glowing of the glow plugs is done by a timed solonoid and shuts off automatically. Just glow it for a 15 second period and then crank the engine to start...