Cold weather startup ?

   / Cold weather startup ? #1  

GeorgeW

Bronze Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2005
Messages
75
Location
East Texas
Tractor
Kioti DK-45
When I bought my DK45 last spring cold weather was all but over.
We have had some cold mornings the last few days with temps in the upper 20's to low 30's. When the tractor first starts, Whiteish-blue smoke comes out of the exhaust for a few seconds and the engine seems to be missing. After that everything seems fine, and I let the engine warm up at about 1200 RPM's. It never does this on warm days.

Is this normal? I always wait for the glow plug indicator light to go out before starting. Should I be using another procedure for cold weather starting?

This is the first diesel I have ever owned, so don't always know what to expect. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks,

Goerge
 
   / Cold weather startup ? #2  
Not being an auto mechanic all I can reference is my own experience. Both my truck and my tractor do that on cold days. A couple wks back while at "The Farm" morning temps were 18 degrees. Had no problems after I got them warmed up. Ran and sounded fine.
 
   / Cold weather startup ? #3  
My dealer said to hit the starter first w/out using the glow plugs, then glow plug it for about 10sec and then start it up. He said that it puts fuel into the cylinders and makes starting easier on very cold days. However, mine started jus fine @ 22 degrees with just about 10 seconds on the GP's on the first try, so i haven't had to try out his suggestion.
 
   / Cold weather startup ? #4  
I'm not familar with the DK45 but my CK30 has an eight second glow plug time until the light goes out. It also has a key position between on and start which you can operate the glow plugs manually. The manual states no more than ten seconds at a time. Maybe yours needs a little more cylinder preheat if you have this option with the key. I've started mine at 25'F with no extra heat and no problem with starting. I will have to wait a little longer for the temps. to get into single digits.
 
   / Cold weather startup ? #5  
Hi George,
I have a DK45 that I use at my ranch in Idaho . Last winter I fired it up when it was -15 degrees to move snow .It would rattle a little bit until it warmed up but has never smoked . I just used my glow plugs for the correct time and it fires right up .
I don't think it is anything to lose sleep over . Sounds like you just have some unburned fuel in the pistons when it fires . As long as it clears up is the most important thing and does not burn oil .
Shoot ! A warm morning here is 30 degrees !
Big Al
 
   / Cold weather startup ? #6  
How about cycling the glow plugs, waiting for the light to go out and cycling the glow plugs again? I know that used to help the older 6.9 and 7.3 Ford diesels in the trucks start easier. Anybody ever try that or know if that would help?
 
   / Cold weather startup ? #7  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I know that used to help the older 6.9 and 7.3 Ford diesels in the trucks start easier. Anybody ever try that or know if that would help? )</font>
That's just what should be done. With colder temps, at least one more 8-10 seconds of manual glow plug use should solve most of the problem. The short time of smoking is not a big deal and should be lessened the more GP cycles you use before starting.
Enjoy that great tractor!
John
 
   / Cold weather startup ? #8  
<font color="blue"> Is this normal? </font>

Yes.


RedDog
 
   / Cold weather startup ?
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Thanks for all the replies. The tractor always starts on the first compression. Mainly, I was curious about the few seconds(only two or three) of smoke. I also thought it was unburned fuel. Don't think that there is a key position for manually turning on the glow plugs, so will try turning the key off and back on to get another cycle and see what happens.

And, KiotiJohn, I certaintly am enjoying this tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Goerge
 

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