Re: [diesel_mercedes] cold starting

Brian

That's good advice, here's some stuff I do:

On my twin tank 300d wvo fueled Chevy van sits outside in all weathers:

• First dig said vehicle out of snow drift whilst hoping that the silicone lube on the weather seals is still working so you can get the doors open, and if you locked it, that the graphite is is doing it's job. Sprinkle sand, ash and stuff on ice front and rear of wheels in case rocking momentum is required to gain momentum. Don gloves so as not to leave skin on door handle, climb in prepare to start engine.
  
• I use a thinner winter grade motor oil between October and April because even engine oil gets thick when cold.
• I've got a 240v block heater but I only use it at > -10c (when I remember and if I know there's cool coming on)! And if I can find the business end under the snow.
  
• BUT, and this is the important thing, I've got TWO 125ah batteries, one does the glow plugs for 20-30 seconds the other spins the engine when ready. Both batteries are kept charged and I monitor this with 2 proper amp meters, and there is a facility for recharging from domestic if needed.
• I know my loop glow plugs work but I am saving up for the modern kit anyway. I don't have any fancy relays, just one wire to a HD spring switch from the + pole on it's dedicated battery and one from the switch to the glowies.
• Earth terminals are to chassis and engine and they are clean with copper paste protection.
  
• BOTH the clutch and the accelerator pedals are floored and held until the engine starts, which is always on Dino or Bio diesel. It always starts straight away unless I forgot to switch something off the night before.
  
• When the engine settles down to a tick over it's time to get out and scrape the windows which sometimes needs a heat gun to break the armor ice, which is why it's handy to have the block heater feed nearby.
  
• It takes 4 - 7 km's before switch over to wvo, depending on the cold. The block heater makes no difference to this but there is some other stuff I may do to speed things up.
  

I was having trouble with starting too some years ago until I did the 2 battery thing. It stands to reason really that if you're tiring the battery first by juicing the glow plugs for a while coss it's cold, and then ask the same battery to crank a cold stiff 5 banger at speed - well, it's all a bit unreasonable really.

Best wishes
KJ

BStromsoe wrote:

1.  Park it in a heated garage.
2.  Put a drop cord with 100 watt bulb under the hood.
3.  Ask Karl J what they do in the far north where the reindeer frolic.
4.  Got to be some guys in the Michigan peninsula who have some secrets.
5.  Keep a gasser for backup.
6.  Keep a spare charged up battery handy.
7.  Pray for an early spring.
8.  Little kerosene in the tank goes a long way.
9.  Check the bus routes in case you need one.

brian

Victor Granic <victorgranic@yahoo.com> wrote:

I'm thinking about driving my '85 300TD into the frigid depths of
Quebec City, Canada during mid-February. I was wondering if anyone
had any personal experience with starting a vehicle such as mine in
temperatures around -25C (-15F). I have a block heater installed and
I plan to use it but I'm not sure if that'll be enough. Any thoughts?
Would starting fluid help in addition to the block heater being
plugged in?

Thanks,

Victor

brian from la verne, ca

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