Okay, so I'm going to be driving my 75 troopy to a hot springs resort in Montana for christmas (yeah, feel bad for me. Gonna be rough) and it's going to be fairly cold. -11 Frankenstein or -24 C. Do you all have any suggestions in case she won't fire? I'm taking some jumpers and stuff, should I take some starting fluid? Do I just cycle the glow plugs 2 or three times? Its never given me any trouble down to 10F or so, but am I going to run into any problems? Thanks, it's my first Montana winter with this classy old broad. Oh, and my wife is coming too!
Cold Start Suggestions?
- Thread starter bluetuffy
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Have you tested the individual glow plugs to make sure they are functioning properly?
I wouldn't recommend using ether, it can easily cause engine damage. Make sure your battery (or batteries) are in good shape and fully charged up and that the battery terminals are tight. Cycling the glow plugs several times on a really cold start is pretty common practice and will definitely help, assuming that all the glow plugs are working. Otherwise if your engine is healthy I don't see any reason why you'd have trouble getting it started in those temperatures. I had a diesel Hilux that started beautifully at -13ºF, and the 2L-TE that was originally in my Prado started great at below zero temps as well.
JDM Journeys
Moderator
There are also oil pan magnetic stick on heaters. Incredibly inefficient and have to be attached/removed every time, but for temporary use might help the oil flow a little easier, and thus let the engine crank a little faster,. Its a bandaid though at best. As already said if everything is well maintained beforehand you should have no issues.
- Thread starter
- #5
I have not. I would wager that they are, it's in very good nick. But I will look into this.
Never use starting fluid in a smaller diesel engine, they are not built for it.
As gun runner said, check your glow plugs (easy resistance test) and replace as needed.
Run a quality diesel fuel conditioner that dissipates water and keeps your diesel fuel from gelling up. (The best lubricity booster and all round quality additive that I have found is FPPF arctic power)
And of course, if you have access to power, the various block and oil heaters can make starting a lot easier.
As gun runner said, check your glow plugs (easy resistance test) and replace as needed.
Run a quality diesel fuel conditioner that dissipates water and keeps your diesel fuel from gelling up. (The best lubricity booster and all round quality additive that I have found is FPPF arctic power)
And of course, if you have access to power, the various block and oil heaters can make starting a lot easier.
You might also try some synthetic engine oil. I use Rotella 5W40 full synthetic. My 2lte pops right off in cold weather without a block heater. I also run Rotella 5W40 in my Ram cummins and Ram ecodiesel. Also in my diesel tractor.
Its the good stuff.
Its the good stuff.
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks for the tips. I'm gonna watch a youtube or two about checking my glow plugs. I'm using an additive whose name I'm forgetting but the reputable private diesel mech in town had suggested. I felt the difference in running on the first tank. I'll look into FPPF next. No electricity unfortunately. Pretty rugged place I'm going.
I see that the last time the oil was changed a day before I purchased they used 15w40. Should I go to 5 next time? Thanks for the pointer!
15w40 is getting pretty thick for below -10C. That said, just give it some time to run and warm up, please don't do what I have seen some people doing and rev it right up after starting -- that is not good for any engine, but worse for diesels. By the time you get to your next oil change it may be getting into the hotter weather. I run Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic 5w40 year round, so it is really up to you.
With good glow plugs/batteries and fuel with cold weather additive, you should not have any issue starting up. I have started my diesels in weather colder than -30C with just a couple of glows and fire it up. You 'might' have to do that more than once if it stalls out, but that is pretty rare.
I am all about preparing for every potential possibility so if you do have a block heater in your cruiser, and you have a little 15amp or higher generator, you could always take the genny ''just in case''...
In an absolute emergency situation, make sure you prep a list of mud members near where you will be staying and make sure they are on speed dial!
Seriously though, if you follow the advice/tips listed here you should have a pleasant and restful holiday enjoying the wonders of hot springs in winter!!! Havve fun!
15W40 oil is good for -12 Celsius only. So you should go for 5W40 on such cold conditions.
Also the gear oils get fairly thick. Take it slow and easy until warmed up.
Good engine settings, working glow system, good batteries, good electric contacts on terminals, starter and ground and good fuel, and you are good to go.
Operate glowing 2-3 times, with 15sec pause in between to allow the heat to disperse a bit.
I personally would be more concerned about windows freezing up, weak heating / defrost and poor grip of AT tires on frosty roads.
Anyway. It will be a great trip! Have fun!
Cheers Ralf
Also the gear oils get fairly thick. Take it slow and easy until warmed up.
Good engine settings, working glow system, good batteries, good electric contacts on terminals, starter and ground and good fuel, and you are good to go.
Operate glowing 2-3 times, with 15sec pause in between to allow the heat to disperse a bit.
I personally would be more concerned about windows freezing up, weak heating / defrost and poor grip of AT tires on frosty roads.
Anyway. It will be a great trip! Have fun!
Cheers Ralf
- Thread starter
- #11
Idk how many mud buddies are in paradise valley MT, but good to know I can put out a call!15w40 is getting pretty thick for below -10C. That said, just give it some time to run and warm up, please don't do what I have seen some people doing and rev it right up after starting -- that is not good for any engine, but worse for diesels. By the time you get to your next oil change it may be getting into the hotter weather. I run Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic 5w40 year round, so it is really up to you.
With good glow plugs/batteries and fuel with cold weather additive, you should not have any issue starting up. I have started my diesels in weather colder than -30C with just a couple of glows and fire it up. You 'might' have to do that more than once if it stalls out, but that is pretty rare.
I am all about preparing for every potential possibility so if you do have a block heater in your cruiser, and you have a little 15amp or higher generator, you could always take the genny ''just in case''...
In an absolute emergency situation, make sure you prep a list of mud members near where you will be staying and make sure they are on speed dial!
Seriously though, if you follow the advice/tips listed here you should have a pleasant and restful holiday enjoying the wonders of hot springs in winter!!! Havve fun!
I think I’ll stick with my 15w40 and just let it warm nicely before moving. I only have like 2.5k miles on this batch of oil so I’ll just be careful and thoughtful. Then I just have to decide what oil to use next time I change. Luckily the former owner gave me a case of genuine toyota oil filters (among literally thousands of dollars in NIB toyota spare parts). It goes between 110 degrees and -20 here, so oil changes are more seasonal than by mileage.
- Thread starter
- #12
Heater seems to work great, defrost seems to keep up, I think I’ll be okay.
The trip should be pretty great, I’m excited! Thanks for your help, Ralf!
- Thread starter
- #13
Well, the weather is forecast to be about -25f on the morning I leave, so I bought an oil pan heater and put a bunch of Howes in. I also got a bottle of Diesel 911 just in case. Wish me luck!!!
JDM Journeys
Moderator
I'm carrying diesel911 as well right now. My -36°c start yesterday was worse for clutch and electronics than it was on the engine/fuel system. Good batteries cannot be overstated in this arctic misery... 
- Thread starter
- #15
Do you have a block heater or the like?I'm carrying diesel911 as well right now. My -36°c start yesterday was worse for clutch and electronics than it was on the engine/fuel system. Good batteries cannot be overstated in this arctic misery...
JDM Journeys
Moderator
Lower rad hose heater, plus 2 giant AGM batteries. I couldn't let the clutch out (in neutral) for about a minute because it was pulling down the RPMs. Cold like this, however short lived, lends credence to all those Canadian stereotypes.
- Thread starter
- #17
Oh man, I just realized I was trying in neutral. F. Gonna remedy that tomorrow when I try again. Gonna slowly depress the clutch and then crank. I think my filters have maybe iced.Lower rad hose heater, plus 2 giant AGM batteries. I couldn't let the clutch out (in neutral) for about a minute because it was pulling down the RPMs. Cold like this, however short lived, lends credence to all those Canadian stereotypes.
