How does one start a diesel engine when it is COLD outside?

Question

This is a 44hr engine on a mid-size tractor. It is fuelinjected, and it has a plugin block warmer. The gloplugs help get it started, but it still takes quite a number of trys. I am new to diesels. It looks, to this novice, to be fluded. THANKS, Zoomer

Answer 1

make shure your fuel is winter blend at least half number 1 fuel mixed with number 2 for extereme cold striat number 1 is ok change your fuel filters is there is any water in them from before its frozen now and restricting fuel flow i would not recomend useing either starting fluid on an engine with glow plugs also get some fuel additive like power service keep it plugged in in a shed out of the wind if possible lit the glow plugs cycle sometime more than once its it realy cold idealy you would have done all these things before it got cold like change the filters and switch to winter fuel but live and learn good luck

Answer 2

If it's really cold try turning the glow plugs on till the wait indicator light goes off. Then turn it off and turn it on one additional time till the wait indiacator light goes off. Then try to start it. How cold are you talking about.. Are you sure the engine oil pan warmer plug in box is working properly?
If you suspect no they may make an aftermarket heated oil dipstick for your tractor. If you say it's hard to start like it's stuggling to turn over then that could be your problem. Also put a deseil anti gel formula in your fuel tank. That will help keep the fuel thin an make it start easier.
The only other thing you can do is spray a small amount of starting fluid in the aircleaner intake. Don't spray to much though! That will help too if you spray small amounts.

Answer 3

when it's below -20 C leave it plugged in or at least 3-4 hours on the timer. those diesels have higher compressions so they're harder to start also. that makes the starter more expensive too so don't skimp on the small stuff like plugging it in at night and good engine oil.

and if you're working on a tractor is it also possible you have diesel fuel left over from summer in there? in colder areas the refineries change the blend with the seasons and add some things to help the fuel along in the cold weather. something in the diesel fuel tends to cloud up in cold weather and clog the injectors. you can buy some additive yourself at the auto store and add it to the fuel.

Answer 4

if possible leave the block warmer plugged in,at least till its running,witha full battery turn key to run position, and wait until the wait light goes out,this is critical as the glow plugs are warming the combustion chambers. once wait light goes out,crank the engine, no more than 20 seconds max at a time giving it a few seconds in between crankings to allow the starter to cool.if engine still has trouble starting, crack open a fuel line and see if there is air in the line.if no air, check glow plugs to make sure they are working. if not replace glow plugs. it is highly recomened that you avoid using a ether based starting aid, it is bad for engine,and is used very sparingly. if possible store the tractor inside with a heater pointed towards the engine to keep it warm.

Answer 5

one major issue with cold weather, make sure the batteries are charged and that you have the right type of oil in the engine. 15W-40 is normal.

if the oil is too thick it will slow down the engine when you try and start it. especially when it is really cold.

also turn the key to on and wait until the glow plugs kick off. it may take several turns for the air in the intake to get warm enough to combust.

and someone said not to use ether. if it is a newer engine ether will blow the intake off the engine. it ignites when the glow plugs kick on.

Answer 6

once I lived in Pittsburgh, ant the automobile had no storage, each and every chilly morning i could ought to bounce initiate my fathers 1976 300D. by using fact the oil is quite thick on an quite chilly day your starter desires one extra enhance of capacity to tutor the crank rapid adequate. you are able to the two have a mechanic deploy a 2d battery, under pressure in a set (in the trunk), or on the grounds that we did no longer have a block heater ( an electric powered stick that is going into the engine the place the oil dip stick is and keeps the oil temp up) we could run a easy bulb (60watt) and place it decrease than the engine and throw an previous blanket over the engine. verify the twine is a secure outdoors twine and shop the bulb off of the floor. in case you reside someplace with an prolonged harsh wintry climate you need to placed funds right into a block heater or a 2d battery, ( those diesels do no longer desire to initiate in the chilly with a low-priced battery, the main suitable battery for that automobile is surely over $a hundred.00) yet once you're in area of the country that in simple terms gets some chilly spells then the bulb ought to do the trick. desire it helps.

Answer 7

at temps below 32 f. it is best to plug in. check your glow plugs to assure they are working 1 bad glow plug can affect starting. also it is important to have enough battery to get good starter rpm fuel treatment should be used below 10 f even if fuel is blended if all glow plugs are working and it is below 0 cycling 2 times helps a lot
hold throttle at about half and reduce after start warm up is critical on diesel engines due to fast extreme heat in combustion chambers
which causes pistons to expand faster than cylinders

Answer 8

I know little about diesels, but I dont think they can get flooded. Keep it pluged in for a long time before trying to start it. My buddys dad has to keep his pluged in full time in the winter (volvo tri-axle dump truck). When you go to start it, put the key in the run position for a few seconds, then turn it over. Use cold weather fuel additive, too.

Answer 9

You,ve got several good answers, Just want to add, Keep Power
Service in your diesel fuel, You can get it at Oil Distributors It will help start and will help keep fuel in good condition

Answer 10

TURN THE KEY ON, LET THE GLOW PLUGS HEAT UP, WAIT TILL THE "WAIT TO START "LIGHT GOES OFF. ALSO YOU CAN SPRAY JUST A LITTLE ETHER INTO THE INTAKE. NOT A LOT OF ETHER, JUST A SQUIRT OR SO. GOOD LUCK.