Cold starting

[Gordon Maney]

This morning was the first serious winter we have had in Iowa this year. It was -7 degrees F.



As a test, I had not plugged in the truck, to see how it would do, as it was forecast to get quite cold. It cranked well, but did not want to run. It would try, stumble, trip, fall, and stop when I released the key. I tried cycling the heaters twice before attempts.



After three tries like that, I tried keeping it cranking for about five seconds at a go, and it would keep trying as long as I cranked. I did not crank longer, as starters are not 100% duty cycle devices. I did this five second thing three times, and it was able to continue running on its own when I released the key the third time.



I have clean fuel, and am using anti-gel in proper proportions. Once running, it did just fine, so I do not suspect I had a fuel problem. The steering pump was sure talking about the cold.



My question: Is this typical? I am confident it would not have started had it been 15 below.



Any suggestions? It is plugged in now, but I have concerns about being somewhere... . work, for example, where I can't plug it in, and having it not start.



thanks for your thoughts...

 

[milehiscott]

Gordon,

I'm not sure what to tell you about what is happening, but I can tell you that it is not usual. We finally got some cold here in Colorado also (Lows around 0). I live in a condo and can't plug in. I've been running 2 heater cycles before starting and it fires up like it was nothing. It takes about 3 seconds to get oil pressure up to normal. I let it idle for 1-2 min. , then drive like an old lady for a little to get it warmed up. The steering and transmission are stiff, but that's it.

Scott

 

[JJW_ND]

15W40 gets pretty think below Zero!

Leave one of your 15w40 engine oil bottles out over night in -10 or colder. Try to pour it. You get an idea of what the engine is up against. If one has to regularily do un plugged cold starts, I highly recomend a good synthetic 5W oil. Mobil and Amsoil both make one that works fine. I think even the 24V benifit from slight throttle pressure when engine is cranking. It makes a difference on the older 12V.



The other thing you will notice, is you only have one or maybe two chances and the batteries have been used. The grid heaters take allot out of the batteries each cycle.



Plugging in total eliminates any problems other then oil is still think and pressure is still slow to come up.



Put some 15W40 in your gasser and let it set out overnight. See if it starts.



jjw

ND