Cold Start Techniques? BJ42

[STIFFLER]

I am a new owner a 83 BJ42 and was wondering what some people do to start the engines in -20*C... It takes me like 3 or 4 trys before it catches for me. I glow the plugs about 3 times first and then hit it.. It fires for a second or two, and then dies.. Does it about 3 times then catches.
Thanks

 

[bj70alex]

How about installing a block heater, you can get from NAPA. Will help a lot.

Alex
85 BJ70
93 FZJ80

 

[STIFFLER]

I have one just never plug it in.. I work shift work and don't have access to a plug for the those late nights at 4:00am when I get done. I wanna know that it will get me home. So any tricks would be apprecieated (Besides ether). I drive a Diesel TDI so I have just brought what i know about that.

 

[theSherpa]

try holding the throttle pedal down half or all the way while you crank...more fuel=quicker start. I tried this on a neighbor's 240D, and it worked for me, YMMV. post up if it helps (and if it makes no difference).

 

[cruiser_guy]

I assume that the '83 BJ42 uses a "Super Glow" system. What I do with my BJ60 is allow it to glow until the voltmeter shows that it has finished the cycle (it's about another 5-10 seconds). Fires up first time in the summer all the time. In winter I let it go through that cycle a couple of times before trying to crank. It seems to work fine then.

 

[Diescipel]

This is NO comparison, but I find when starting in +30 degrees or so F that if I open the throttle a little with the accelerator then hold it open with the hand throttle, it starts very easily. This is after waiting for the glow light to go out, and then waiting some more. I don't like flooring the accelerator (per the owner's manual!) as the engine will race without oil pressure. Mine starts 1st try every time, more than I can say for my FJ60 with fewer miles.

B

 

[cruiser_guy]

I don't like flooring the accelerator (per the owner's manual!) as the engine will race without oil pressure.

Ditto

I NEVER even touch the fuel until the truck starts and I HAVE been to Edmonton in the winter (-20 - -25C) with my truck so I know what cold is. Plugging it in is certainly the preferred method.

I have cold started my truck once at -27C with a bad block heater and only 2 operable glow plugs but it wasn't easy.

You may want to check the glow plugs as well. Often there will be one or two that are bad.

If you want instructions on checking the glow plugs you can check past posts or post up and we'll go over it again.

 

[crushers]

and to be the odd ball again... i give the truck half throttle like it says in the owners manual...
cheers

 

[STIFFLER]

ok thanks guys.. i checked my glow plugs and they are fine.. I will try the half throttle tomorrow and let you guys know.

 

[brownbear]

let your glow plugs cycle a couple times. Add a little fuel when you hear it catching and keep cranking till you got it running. once its running I set my throttle at 1000 rpm and wait a minute or two before driving. I found if I am not plugged in I have to crank much longer. at minus 20 only or greater. minus 15 it starts right up. Some guys hook up thier glow plugs manually. then just glow them for 30 seconds or so, then after it starts turn them back on for a bit. I haven't had too much trouble.
but plugging in is the best.
oh and I couldn't plug in at one place I lived so I picked thinner oil, I ran 0w40. rotilla shell. had it in for more than 5000kms and didn't consume any and always had good oil pressure. something to think about. the thinner the better for the hard starts.

thats my op, anyone else think different with the oil?

 

[crushers]

i run 0/30 rottella in both my trucks and my customers trucks from Nov till March and they start much easier, easier on the engine, starter and batteries...

 

[David*BJ70]

Also... make SURE you have enough "juice" in your battery. That Help.

 

[Stickboy]

webasto, espar heaters....
no 110/220 elec needed, just a battery....
-mike

 

[brownbear]

I priced the espar heater when I didn't have a plug in, it was very expensive. I don't know if used are availible. I asked to be informed if they come up. But they were around 2k can. Unless someone here has a better line on them. I called polar mobility in Calgary. Lots of guys put them in cummins etc.
But from what I read the espar looks really good. I think this is the best option if you absolutely need to have the truck work and it always -25 and lower. Or if there is no chance of getting a plug in.

 

[diesel newbie]

glow plug toggle switch??

The advice about a block heater and different oil are great but here is another idea I got off some guys in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. After inquiring about some hard starting and smoking my "New" truck (81 BJ 42) had (even in the summer) one guy had told me to use my glow plug toggle switch. Hum ... only thing, as I was to find out later, was that mine had mysteriously disappeared (no switch) just a lonely hole in the dash where it used to be....

Its my understanding that BJs before 1982 like mine had these toggle switches which allowed you to glow the glow plugs after initial start up if the engine was idoling poorly. WOW it works great!. I dont need to pump the gas or glow multiple cycles before start up (In my experience this makes it smoke even worse). SOmetimes I do add just a little hand throttle.

Most post 1982 BJs came with a glow plug indicator light in the dash and a glow plug timing relay under the dash.... no more manual switch. The glow plugs were controled only by the timer which stayed on a little longer for colder starts. My dads HJ 60 is like this and it has never really had a problem living in Kitchener, Ontario most of its life.

I hope this sheds some light on your starting woes...
good luck
eric

 

[crushers]

Eric,
have you tried turning the key backwards and holding it till the glow screen glows orange? yours does have the glow screen still right? the earlier glow systems are not the super glow so you do need to hold the key before starting.