Cold weather starting and running help please!

[Mark_G]

Lloyd,
It starts eventually. It has warmed up a bit (outside). I give it a good 5 min then just start gradually doing what I need to do with it. I am mostly just filling the bucket with some split firewood to move to the house the last couple of days. Not exactly working it hard. No problem on the wayward turns in the threads, sort of fun to see where they end up some times. It sounds like what is happening is normal. I just don't have much experience yet on it or with a diesel.

Mark

 

[Mark_G]

Last year same thing, CK30 hard to start in the 20's and 30's F.

Added some white Power Service additive and it solved the problem almost immediately.

Mike

Mike,
They seem to have several different ones, which is it that you use?
Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economy
Looks like we are almost neighbors, I am near Purcellville.

Mark

 

[BJN644]

In the picture it's the one on the left, diesel fuel supplement, most Wal-Mart's carry it.

 

[Mark_G]

Thanks, I will look for it.

Mark

 

[mrutkaus]

Hey Mark,

The Power Service stuff in the far left in your link; it is the only one I've ever seen sold around here, Tractor Supply has it.

Just had lunch with a friend at the Chinese restaurant in P'ville couple weeks ago; drove thru it 7000 times while commuting to Xerox in Leesburg from Winchester!

Mike

 

[Lloyd_E]

Sounds like you do the same as me. I usually let it warm up anywhere from 2-5 minutes. But on occasion I have started working after a minute (warmer weather).

I am not sure I can help - hate to tell ya my unit starts up no problem even at 14f or -10c.
I haven't added any diesel conditioner as yet. And it is parker outdoors - long story...

I will look for the Power service stuff at our local Walmart too.

Good luck.


Lloyd

PS: I thought Virginia was warmer!

 

[PA hayseed]

If you store your tractor outdoors, or in an unheated garage, leave your powerservice in your house. Per the manufacturers directions: Add Diesel Fuel Supplement +Cetane Boost as directed on the container label. Diesel Fuel Supplement should be added to the fuel at a temperature higher than the fuelç—´ cloud point. To ensure thorough mixing, add prior to filling tanks with diesel fuel.Store above 10ºF.

I know it seems silly, especially when they say that it will do the following for your fuel: Winter Performance Benefits:


Prevents fuel gelling in temperatures as low as -40°F.
Equals the performance of a 50/50 blend of No. 2 and No. 1 diesel fuels
Lowers Cold-Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) as much as 36°F. — keeps fuel-filters from plugging with wax

 

[Mark_G]

I usually add all fuel supplements to the fuel can before I fill them, so the agitation from filling mixes it in. I got the Power Service today, I added it to my tractors tank and the remaining full fuel can. After a bit the tractor may have been quieter, hard to tell if it was or it was just my perception. Will be fun to start it next time its cold and see if it fires up easier.

Mark

 

[Lloyd_E]

Mark,

You can bring it up here to warm up! All those snow pictures I showed you - snows gone! Well 97%. It warmed up first of the week and has been raining with high winds.

Today I was out in short sleeves doing some chain sawing - go figure. It was probably 50+f.

It will be 40-50F for the next 5-7 days. Will be in the woods a lot.

Lloyd

 

[Mark_G]

Lloyd,
I would love to see Nova Scotia some day, but even in 4th gear high range (a blistering 14 MPH) it would take a while on a CK30 to get there from Northern Virginia!

Mark