Cold weather Diesel starting.
- Thread starter TexasTJ
- Start date
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Not specific for your 300 TDI, but serves good results for most diesels...
Block heater (plugged in)
Synthetic oil (lower weight, ex= 5w40 Rotella T6 )
Good battery/batteries (get them load tested once you do get it started)
Good starter (have shop determine amperage its pulling)
Good cables
Good glow plugs (check resistance)
Good glow plug relay (check voltage pre and post terminals when engaged)
Block heater (plugged in)
Synthetic oil (lower weight, ex= 5w40 Rotella T6 )
Good battery/batteries (get them load tested once you do get it started)
Good starter (have shop determine amperage its pulling)
Good cables
Good glow plugs (check resistance)
Good glow plug relay (check voltage pre and post terminals when engaged)
workerdrone
Part time fulltimer
Is it cranking more slowly? Occasionally in the past I have plugged a battery charger in to make sure the batteries are at 100% and even provide a bit of extra cranking juice for the start.
LR Max
Local Oaf
Define not starting. Did the starter motor spin over? Was it fast or slow?
If it did, then next I'd look at glow plugs. Make sure they are all working properly. I know some vehicles there isn't a timer so you gotta do it manually. For around 32F, glow plug for the better part of 30 seconds (just a random guess). Colder than that, glow longer.
Also if your injection pump is timed advanced, that'll hurt your cold start capabilities. However unlesss someone has messed with it, I wouldn't fiddle with the injection pump.
If it did, then next I'd look at glow plugs. Make sure they are all working properly. I know some vehicles there isn't a timer so you gotta do it manually. For around 32F, glow plug for the better part of 30 seconds (just a random guess). Colder than that, glow longer.
Also if your injection pump is timed advanced, that'll hurt your cold start capabilities. However unlesss someone has messed with it, I wouldn't fiddle with the injection pump.
I reccomend a fuel additive to make sure the diesel does not gel...I personally use an amsoil additive with every tank but there are other options
Second, make sure you have a great battery. I currently have an Optima red top with a rediculous amount of cold cranking amps but I have had my diesel refuse to turn over in the past while out hunting in inclement weather and never wish to live through that again.
I also let the glow plugs go through two cycles before starting.
The isuzu diesel engine in my RRC has never failed to start even in our current single digit weather (knock on wood
)
Second, make sure you have a great battery. I currently have an Optima red top with a rediculous amount of cold cranking amps but I have had my diesel refuse to turn over in the past while out hunting in inclement weather and never wish to live through that again.
I also let the glow plugs go through two cycles before starting.
The isuzu diesel engine in my RRC has never failed to start even in our current single digit weather (knock on wood
)
Colin Hughes
Explorer
When I had my 300tdi, and it got very cold, I'd fire the glow plugs, shut it off, fire the glow plugs a second time and never had a problem starting.
My two cents;
1. A battery that will crank a battleship. Im serious, in my cars, trucks and tractor. The biggest CC battery you can afford and make it fit.
2. Good fuel, deisels need quality fuels because deisel fuels already has water in it normaly you need to account for it. Consider additives as well. There is a brand up North here called Deisel 911. It works as will other brands but always keep it on hand or something the like.
3. At least a block heater you can also add a battery mainter or beater as well.
As for rescue attemps, you need to get the block and or the fuel warm. Thats the only safe and inexpensive rescue.
Bare minimum though is a batteyr and a block heater.
1. A battery that will crank a battleship. Im serious, in my cars, trucks and tractor. The biggest CC battery you can afford and make it fit.
2. Good fuel, deisels need quality fuels because deisel fuels already has water in it normaly you need to account for it. Consider additives as well. There is a brand up North here called Deisel 911. It works as will other brands but always keep it on hand or something the like.
3. At least a block heater you can also add a battery mainter or beater as well.
As for rescue attemps, you need to get the block and or the fuel warm. Thats the only safe and inexpensive rescue.
Bare minimum though is a batteyr and a block heater.
samiam2714
New member
A winter front will help once you do get it started
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
proper4wd
Expedition Leader
Diesel 911 additive in the tank, cycle the glow plugs twice (or more). This should get it going well below freezing. Do you know if your glow plugs are working? What oil are you using? Exactly how cold was it? When was the last time you changed your fuel filter/drained your water separator?