GC cold weather start ??

[Agvg]

I have full throttle, if they are really cold you have plenty of time to throttle back. On many engines you don't have much of a choice if it going to start at all. A well designed modern diesel should start like its summer in -10C, i have a diesl van and starting it warm or at -10 i can't notice any difference.

 

[irvingj]

That's pretty much the procedure I use (what Karondm said), though I often do use my block heater. (Depends on how cold it is and how early I got up....)

Throttle I leave alone, set at idle, unless it's rough on initial start- then I'll advance it just enough to get it to smooth out.

 

[ray66v]

If it's running rough initially, that's usually incomplete combustion.

That more glow plug time may correct that.

It could also mean there are weak glow plugs.

 

[Karondm]

On my GC2300 I will start it with throttle just off low idle, to maybe 1/4 throttle if it does start in 2 tries.

 

[ray66v]

On my GC2300 I will start it with throttle just off low idle, to maybe 1/4 throttle if it does start in 2 tries.

I would suggest you try starting off with 1/4 throttle, and at least the 20 seconds of glow plugs, when it's cold.

 

[piercedtiger]

I fought with my GC2600 every winter for the last 3 years until this winter. Time on this forum, salamander under the engine with a tarp over it, battery charger connected, finally adding a block heater.... All those issues went away with a new battery and unplugging the switch to my light bar that has 1 indicator LED on all the time. Below freezing temps all I've needed is 30 seconds of glow, 1/4-1/2 throttle (I usually shut it off around 2000 RPM in case the throttle cable freezes again), and it usually fires off after a few seconds of cranking. Maybe a second go if I didn't give it a full 30 or it's been close to zero for a couple days. It really amazed me how much difference the battery made! I wish I'd done that sooner to be honest! I used to spend 30-45 minutes screwing around with it, now it starts right up and is ready to pull out of the barn to warm up. Once it warms up I want to disable that LED or wire a new switch.

 

[Karondm]

I had to use the block heater once this winter. Actually, I'm not sure that I had to, but it seemed like a good idea that -5 deg morning.
Otherwise it seems to start fine. It had a new battery when I bought it, though.

 

[AxleHub]

Just to clarify my thinking. . . a block heater is not only desirable for starting ease. . . . it also reduces the strain of weak lubrication at startup. . . and subsequent wear on engine and starter parts.

While I'm quite certain that I "can" start my Massey at -10 degrees without using the block heater . . . Why would I want to? The coldest temp I plowed in this winter so far was -9 degrees plus wind chill in an open (non-cab) unit.

My tractor sits outside in cold weather. . . It always starts. . . but. . . helping the tractor start as easily as possible and with the least wear possible is just the most reasonable action unless you have inside storage for it.

 

[ray66v]

Just to clarify my thinking. . . a block heater is not only desirable for starting ease. . . . it also reduces the strain of weak lubrication at startup. . . and subsequent wear on engine and starter parts.

While I'm quite certain that I "can" start my Massey at -10 degrees without using the block heater . . . Why would I want to? The coldest temp I plowed in this winter so far was -9 degrees plus wind chill in an open (non-cab) unit.

My tractor sits outside in cold weather. . . It always starts. . . but. . . helping the tractor start as easily as possible and with the least wear possible is just the most reasonable action unless you have inside storage for it.

Since you seem to be asking, my reason is, I don't believe my engine is of such poor quality, that starting it cold occasionally, is going to do serious harm.

I also don't care to be ripped off by MF, paying 5x the going rate, for a block heater I personally don't need.

So, do you also have a heater on your tractors transmission fluid? They greatly reduce hydraulic pump wear, and engine wear, due to excessive warmup periods in cold weather.

How about block heaters, and transmission warmers on your car engines? Doesn't cold starting wear them too?

Do you have pre-oilers on your vehicles, and equipment? They greatly reduce engine wear on start up. Even more than a block heater could ever do.

So, as you can see, it's all a calculated risk, which can only be avoided by not starting it at all.

 

[SteveM70]

Well, the GC made it through this mild winter without any problems once I figured out cold weather starting. I've only owned two other diesels and this one just requires more patience and starts a little rougher than the other two. No worries though, just its nature from what I can gather. The main thing is it DOES start every time I need it.

My 1720 is a year old now and has a little over 200 hours on it. Going to flush the radiator and change the tires this week. Switching to R4's from R1's.