Cold weather starting

[RjCorazza]

I have several magnetic heaters, but find they do very little as a starting aid. At best they add a little heat to the engine oil or transmission if left on for an extended period of time.
I use a block heater in the winter, and the tractor starts just like in summer.
I have a walk behind gas mower that gets difficult to start at around 50 degrees F. I put a small heater fan in front of the intake for a few minutes and it fires right up. Amazing what a little heat in the intake can do.

 

[careyo63]

I have several magnetic heaters, but find they do very little as a starting aid. At best they add a little heat to the engine oil or transmission if left on for an extended period of time.
I use a block heater in the winter, and the tractor starts just like in summer.
I have a walk behind gas mower that gets difficult to start at around 50 degrees F. I put a small heater fan in front of the intake for a few minutes and it fires right up. Amazing what a little heat in the intake can do.

Org. from WV. and other states so the cold weather in the N. was always something to deal with. Grandfather in the mountains would put a light bulb under the hood. Covered with a old blanket. My guess as a young kid which he did do it in the winter that grandpa was getting old and just plain
In the cold Dark and couldn't, see? Asked my dad one Yr. and he told me. Then I realized why and how it did work! He was keeping the Battery Warm. True! Crane operator at the local alloy plant so he knew equipment Etc... This was early 60's so my guess older light bulbs would get extremely Hot/Warm. I can even remember how thick the glass was compared to today bulbs plus the elements inside.

 

[Topzide]

I think Iseki are about the worst that I've owned for cold natured in the winter. But they are bullet proof once they are started.

I have 2 Isekis. A 15 and a 17 hp. With the block heaters, haven't an issue with them starting when cold. Me on the other hand, since open stations! Just layer up and deal with it the best I can.

 

[RustyA]

Had a Montana with Mitsubishi engine I installed block heaters in twice and neither one worked, resistance checked fine on both. Gave up and glued an oil pan heater on, battery warming blanket and wired them together to one plug. Two hours on a timer, 5w40 rotella t6 and it never failed to start. 10 years later the lady I sold it to is still using the same setup. Fuel blended 50/50 and treated. Don't trust blended fuel at the pump... October fuel is not fully blended 50 %.

 

[Yander]

I have 2 Isekis. A 15 and a 17 hp. With the block heaters, haven't an issue with them starting when cold. Me on the other hand, since open stations! Just layer up and deal with it the best I can.

Yep, mine always started even without a block heater, I sometimes had to glow it 3 times and it smoked a bunch but always started.

 

[bazman82]

I'm thinking part of my issue might be the fuel geling. I have to remember to use the anti gel for each tank. Might be why the thermal start isn't working properly

 

[CobyRupert]

I'm thinking part of my issue might be the fuel geling. I have to remember to use the anti gel for each tank. Might be why the thermal start isn't working properly

Everything starts (or doesn’t) based on the fuel’s ability to flow through the filter (being a place the gel collects), the lines, ejectors and your thermal start. Be careful trusting your supplier to time the summer/winter mix your need. I use an additive. Some people mix in no.1 fuel.

 

[George2615]

It has the thermal plug on the intake. The diesel drips on it to create the flame to warm it for the start. You'll hear a puff when it's ready to start and we'll mine don't puff, even after I replaced everything but the line.

Thanks for explaining that.

 

[Williy]

Those old light bulbs would keep the chicken coop warm
even at 35F below zero. A heat lamp/bulb aimed at your
oil pan sure can warm up your machine

willy