I live in Ohio and I have a 1985 Chevy Diesel pickup. The problem is that I need to leave it sit for about 10 hours while I am at work and I will not have the option to plug it in during this time (like I do when it sits at home over night). I've heard that starting a diesel in cold weather can damage the engine if it is not heated. Do I need to be concerned about doing damage to the engine when I start it after work? At what temperature might I have to worry about this? At what temperature does diesel fuel start to jell?
2006-10-24 09:57:33 · 16 answers · asked by eroticohio 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There is no reason to be concerned about starting a diesel engine in the cold. It may be a little more difficult to light it off, but once it is running, it is really no different than a spark ignited engine.
It is true that standard number two diesel fuel will gel at very cold temperatures. However, most diesel fuels today that you buy at your local gas station are blended to match the local weather conditions. As long as you keep th fuel in your tank current, it should not gel. If in doubt, ask at the counter before filling up or add an anti gel agent.
Doctor Ratz
Engineering manager, Engine development
For a major engine manufacturer
2006-10-27 02:33:44 · answer #1 · answered by shfincter S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally when I can't plug in I let the glow plugs cycle 2 or 3 times and then start. Make sure your batteries are in good shape and I generally let it idle until it's somewhat warm. The thing that's hard on diesels is running them hard when they are cold. Most places where you buy fuel do add winter additives but it still doesn't hurt anything to add your own. On that note in my opinion I would rather have a gelled up truck than use any Power Service or Power Serv brand treatments.
In my experience diesel gels only when it's extremely cold. I would carry a spare fuel filter if you're that worried about it. On my trucks they have gelled in the filter first.
2006-10-25 02:09:25 · answer #2 · answered by powerstroker_18 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi This does sound very much like a glow plug problem, or a glow plug relay problem. If you hot wire the glow plugs directly to the battery and the engine starts then it is the relay at fault. Try activating the heater plugs two or three times before starting the engine and see if that improves things any. You can even just acvtivate them once and then leave it another 10 seconds before starting the car, because the glow plugs are still heating well after the light goes out. Very best regards Geordie
2016-05-22 10:04:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF YOU WAIT FOR YOUR GLOWPLUGS TO CYCLE AND START THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GLOW PLUG INDICATOR LIGHT GOES OUT YOU'LL BE FINE.BUT DO ADD A DIESEL FUEL ADDITIVE TO KEEP THE GELLING TO A MINIMUM.
ALSO I KNOW THEY HAVE THESE ON BIG DIESEL TRUCKS BUT NOT SURE ON YOURS... YOU MAY HAVE A FUEL WATER SEPARATOR ON YOUR TRUCK THAT MAY NEED THE WATER DRAINED FROM IT.CHECK AND SEE.
There is also a product on the market for people that live in really frigid climates like Alaska. In extremely cold weather the oil in your oil pan will thicken so much the car may not turn over, This is usually what you heater plug is for. They make a heated dip stick that attaches to your battery to keep the oil thin enough to turn over your car.
Just anther piece of info I thought you should have
2006-10-28 11:14:57 · answer #4 · answered by whtsthislif4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poppy seeds! Diesels can start at any temperature as long as they are willing to!
There are a couple of things you need to know. First being diesel engines do not use spark to ignite but rather compression! Diesel gels at certain temperatures and it is imperrative that you use additives to avoid this. Glow plugs are nice but not necessary and can sometimes be a bigger problem than they serve. If you have good compression and treated fuel it should start. If not, might have bad injectors or a million other things.
But as far as cold starting, it's nothing more than here say!
2006-10-24 10:08:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hey that diesel will start anytime if the batteries are up & the fuel is not gelled. If posible at work, just kinda try to park it away from the north wind. You won't harm your engine by cold weather starts. At 32 degrees you fuel starts gelling so make sure you run anti gel in your tank.
2006-10-29 21:15:41 · answer #6 · answered by nbr660 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as it goes you are laughing. If it is too cold you'll know, she wont start. Fuel additive should already have be added at the pumps so as not to gel-up in the tank. If the cranking amp. of your battery is low or the battery is weak, then that might give you some trouble. Make sure to always let your vehicle warm up thoroughly and drive easily when starting out to let other moving parts ease into movement.
2006-11-01 06:32:08 · answer #7 · answered by Bren 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a diesel has a glow plug as you probably know already that heats to the point where it is safe to start. as for the engine being cold, i fail to see how it could be different for deisel than any other metal machine that operates in extreme cold. make sure you let the engine warm thouroughly before driving
2006-10-29 01:26:30 · answer #8 · answered by polyesterfred 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need need to worry about damaging the engine, the problem is that without plugging it in, it might be very hard to start. make sure your batteries are fully charged. also, diesel fuel can gel when its cold, make sure you have an anti-gel additive in your tank.
2006-10-24 10:07:32 · answer #9 · answered by luv78779 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It should not cause a problem! you have glow plugs to heat the fuel for starting! heating the engine only keeps the cracnkcase oil thinner so the starter doesn't have to workso hard to turn the motor in cold conditions! Once it starts it warms up pretty fast
2006-10-30 05:03:50 · answer #10 · answered by Sweptwing57Dodge 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋