Cold Diesel

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moose · #1 Post by **moose** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:00 pm

Hello all.

I've been using my new to me 110 now as my daily driver the past three weeks or so, and loving it. I have found though that the 2.5 NA diesel is really lame when I first fire it up in the morning. Temps have been hovering down around -18c in the early AM. The truck is starting well after a good glow but seems really lacking in power till the engine comes up to temp. Everything is fine after about four or five KMs and then the engine pulls well. For those in the know, is this fairly normal?

I know all the oils in the truck are cold and thick at those temps and that may have some bearing on things, but you can just tell the engine isn't pulling real strong till it warms up a bit.

Any insight appreciated.

Thanks

Brett

obalme · #2 Post by **obalme** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:03 pm

Hi Bret,

We have a lot of diesel tractor's here on the farm and from my experience you are doing very well to get it started at that temp. I would suggest purchasing a block heater if you can. This will make startup and warm up a lot easier and faster on the engine. If this is not a option, it would be better to let the engine run for 10 or 15 min just so the oil is warm and flowing properly, especially to the turbo.

Good Luck, Oliver B.

red90 · #3 Post by **red90** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:22 pm

Mine is not be really sluggish when cold. Maybe it is the fuel on the coast. I remember once getting a tank on the island (i a Jetta) and it did not want to start in the cold until I got rid of it.

And definitely do NOT idle it cold as noted above. That is one of the worst things you can do to a diesel.

These engines start fine at any temperature. They just like a lot of glow.

What engine oil are you using?

DaveB · #4 Post by **DaveB** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:32 pm

If you're using the standard 15W40 oil in it, this can have a lot to do with it. Not only is it thick in the pan, but causes a fair bit of resistence going through the oil pump, which takes power from the engine, and it can almost act like a layer of thick honey at very low temperatures not allowing the parts to spin freely. Add all the moving components and oiled surfaces together and this can take alot of energy away from your engine until it warms up.

Canadian Tire has several oil heaters available, including this Heating Pad or this Magnetic Heater

Dave

HeadDamage · #5 Post by **HeadDamage** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:50 pm

I've always found the 2.5na to be a bit of a lame duck when it comes to cold starting. I find it works best if I glow for about 15sec then try to start and give it about 10sec a shot after that it if doesn't. Once started giving it about 5sec of glow at a time untill the smoke stops and it is running smoothly helps alot before I try to pull alway.

moose · #6 Post by **moose** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:45 pm

Thanks for all the replies. As I said, the truck is starting well in these cold temps, it just seems a bit down on power till it warms up. The oil in it at present is Motomaster Diesel 10W30, so that shouldn't be problem.

I find that at around -18 to -20c the engine likes about 30 seconds of glow then fires right up. The idle smoothes out and the smoke clears in a few seconds.

Right now I just take it easy for a few kms and don't rev the engine too hard. After a few minutes, the power is there and all seems well. This is my first diesel so I was just wondering if it was a common trait.

Brett

HeadDamage · #7 Post by **HeadDamage** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:00 pm

30sec is a bit long, you might blow some plugs doing that.

red90 · #8 Post by **red90** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:25 am

Really, I glow for longer and have never lost a plug. In fact I'll leave them on for a minute or two after starting.

10W-30 is a bit heavy for -20. The cold cranking limit for 10W is -25 C on the current SAE spec and used to be -20 C.

exmod110 · #9 Post by **exmod110** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:33 am

Even in warmer temps the new generation of diesels will glow for up to 1-2 min before and then pulse width modulated another 90 sec after the key is cycled to crank (effectively reducing the voltage).... All depending on oil/coolant temp... so 30 sec should not be a bad thing... it is after the alt starts to put out 14+ volts that can cause burnt glow plugs. so if you pulse the plugs after it is running to prevent overheating the plugs all should be well.... invest in a block heater or a pan heater and use them!!!! it will save all sorts of thing in the long run!!!!!!

HeadDamage · #10 Post by **HeadDamage** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:50 am

Well the newer plugs have gotten better... I'm used to the early crappy ones that GM used to use. If you did them too long the tip would pop and drop into the cylinder when it might or might not get kicked out in the exhuast. I've always limited my glow time to 15sec for that reason and the engines usually start fine with that then a series of 5sec glows once it is first running. Maybe I'll try doing it longer next time it is -20C.

The Rover-Landers of BC

The Rover-Landers of BC

Cold Diesel

Cold Diesel