Cold weather

[dtm165]

Today it was 6 degrees out. I wanted to start my machine and didn't go even with preheat option. Does anyone know where you can get a good heater that can blow air into the machine. How else is it best to start it on cold days?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[4x4American]

What we did at work on the coldest day of the year when the junk paccar engine in one of our k whopper t800's wasnt starting is we take a big tarp, throw it under the truck and wrap it up, put some plywood for a barrier in the front, then put a salamander blowing hot air into the little fort deal that we made, and we have 2 of the 4 batteries on booster packs and 1 on a charger. After about a half hour of this is started right up...then we had to go on to unfreezing all the air lines. dont get air brake antifreeze on bare skin! will post a pic when I get the picture thing to work

 

[4x4American]

View attachment 275369

 

[4x4American]

I'm assuming your machine is diesel? What is the machine btw? What kinda engine? If it is diesel, always make sure to run additive especially when it's cold out. Stanadyne makes the best additive around in my opinion. they say anything below 50F you should be running additive. diesel fuel can wax or gel up clogging your filters making it impossible to start without getting rid of the gel/wax. Always have a bottle of Diesel 911 on hand or some sort of de-gel deal..I always have spare clean fuel filters on hand. If the fuel gels up, you take off the filter, empty it out, put in a new filter and prime it with half diesel 911 and half treated diesel fuel that is not gelled, if you're in a pinch you can prime the whole filter with diesel 911. Dump the rest of the diesel 911 in the fuel tank. Some isopropyl alcohol can help take care of any water in the system. Then prime system as you normally would after servicing the fuel filters. If there is a lift pump with a hand primer, prime it until you start liking it. Then cycle the glow plugs or grid heaters a few times if you feel it's necessary. Always good to have the battery on a charger or being jumped by a running vehicle that is charging it or a put a booster pack on, whatever you got. If you have access to power, plug in the block heater. If you have a salamander and some tarp you can bundle it up like the above picture I posted. I've also heard of people putting a blow dryer in the intake and blowing hot air in there. Don't use ether, you will be sorry in the long run. If you do all above you should be able to get it started.

 

[VA-Sawyer]

I once ducted the exhaust from a pickup into the engine cowling on a plane to get the plane started. A blanket over the engine and about 30 minutes of warm exhaust was enough to get it running. Wouldn't make a habit of doing it, as exhaust gas is corrosive to almost everything.

When I was a little kid ( about half a century back ) my Grandpa used to get a big scoop shovel full of coals out of the furnace and slide it under the old Mercury, then go back inside and drink a cup of coffee. After 15-20 minutes he would go out and start it up, and slide the shovel out from under the engine, another 10 minutes of idle warm up and he would head off to work. I just shake my head when I think of some of the things he used to do.

I also managed to get my Datsun truck running, on a very fridged morning, by slowly pouring about 15 gallons of warm water on the engine.

Now that I think about it, I don't miss winters in Northern Michigan at all!

Rick

 

[Mikecutstrees]

yeah my one truck gelled up yesterday. Although it had additive it was low on fuel. Learned my lesson. Now I'll keep them all 1/2 full or better.

Mike

 

[4x4American]

yeah my one truck gelled up yesterday. Although it had additive it was low on fuel. Learned my lesson. Now I'll keep them all 1/2 full or better.

Mike

yea always best to keep it better than half tank. If you can find it Stanadyne is the best additive you can get. I dont think you'll be able to find it in your area, my buddy lives in salt point and he said he aint seen it around