Surprised how much block heater helps starting diesel

[3930dave]

I worked with a guy who's father was a logger in upper NY. In the dead of winter he said dad would just start a small fire under the skidder in the morning. He said those Detroit Diesels were bullet proof but when the temps drop far enough it was either set it on fire or not work that day. I have heard of people using sheets of plywood and a space heater to blow hot air under a tractor to get it going. For me, if it's that cold, then I try to stay inside.

70's winters were typically colder than today's. I remember a news item about 2 guys stuck at a cottage in Northern Quebec during a holiday cold snap. Couldn't get their Civic to turn over, oil was too thick. Rather than wait for Spring, they loaded up a Hibachi with charcoal, and bbq'd the oil pan for an hour - worked great.

Reading down this page (that's some cold MHarry), I was thinking tarps + salamanders, but Egon beat me to it.

I've been liking the propane catalytic heater I picked up last Winter, but so far haven't needed for equipment starts..... fingers crossed.

Rgds, D.

 

[SylvainG]

I remembered when gas would freeze in the gas lines. I think it's more because of the evolution of oil and gas additives that we don't get troubles like that anymore. We still get lower than -30C here and our cars starts without being plugged in.

 

[3930dave]

Fueling problems can change with time.

ULSD and bio-diesel have different issues from dzl fuel of Olde.

Back in that era Sylvain, I always added gas-line antifreeze to my vehicles in Winter, and never had a problem - but plenty of people did. I don't recall small seasonal engine carb problems back then like we have today though...

Modern FI and ethanol being forced into gasoline year-round means most car drivers never have to think about this kind of Winter problem.

Rgds, D.