Cold starting trick

[herringchoker]

The plug-in engine heater failed on one of our trucks this morning (1989 Western Star with 3306B Caterpillar engine) and it wouldn't turn over fast enough to start, even with the ether starting aid. Temperature was -18*C. We found an old piece of 5" diameter truck exhaust pipe with a 90* elbow on it and laid it on the ground under the oil pan with the elbow pointed up toward the pan. We then lit a propane torch (fed from a 20# tank) and laid it inside the other end of the pipe laying on the ground. The heat from the torch went "up the chimney" towards the oil pan. After about 1/2 hour heating, the engine turned over fast enough and started, using the ether injection.

 

[jnjpream]

At the rental yard we used to do the 6" duct w/ 90* and a propane weed burner too on all the Ryder fleet trucks. While you wait for the oil etc to warm you would pull the air cleaner hose from the intake manifold (enjoying the warm air blowing up on you). Then a while later you would sit in the cab w/ the hood open, stick your arm out the window with a can of ether and give it a crank.

Usually worked pretty good, and this was in MN with the usual -20* mornings.

Got really exciting when a new guy tried to help out and start the trucks. He put a new hose on a weed burner and didn't think you needed a regulator on it... Coupled the hose right to the tank fitting. FNGs.

 

[Steve C]

I've got an ornery starting Ford with 2700 hours, that requires glow plugs even in the summer, it will start with glow plugs in the winter but takes a few restarts to keep it going. I put a radiator hose heater on there and that helps with not needing the restarts.

I wanted to try something else just to see if it would work in case I forgot to plug the electric heater in or if battery was low. so I took one of those kero fired construction heaters and aimed it right at the pump side of the machine from about 5 ft away, for 10-15 minutes or so on a very cold day.
It worked, it fired up, figured it heated the block, the fuel system, the air around it as well as the intake air to some degree.
At least I know in an emergency I should be able get her going.

With my modern JD I have never needed the glow plugs, and only plugged the block heater in once just to see if it worked.

Thanks for the tip

I have a 160,000 BTU heater out in the barn, and one very cold tractor.

I think I will let them get together for some quality time the next time I need to start it.

I have a radiator hose heater but the cold weather (-4 F. last night) set in before I got a chance to install it and I have some snow to move.

 

[irvingj]

When I had my old '82 Peugeot 504D wagon, I'd park it next to the house, next to the dryer vent.

I'd carefully remove the plastic flappers on the vent, stick a 6-foot, 4" dia. flexible aluminum vent hose into it, drape that over the fender and aim it at the intake manifold under the partially-closed hood.

I'd go in to have breakfast, turn on the dryer for 1/2 hr or so, good to go.

(Didn't have a garage then!)

 

[bill1]

Back in the late '70's I lived in Michigan, in old farmhouse with a few friends and no garage. The cold winter wind coming across the field prevented my car from starting in the morning a few times until I learned this trick; 100' extension cord to a light bulb socket placed under the hood of the car. I don't remember the wattage of the lamp- probably 100 or 150 watts, but just that bit of heat was enough to get my car started...

 

[MikeD74T]

Two brothers of my fathers era ran an Oldsmobile garage from after WWII 'till the early 70's in northern NH. Winter temps frequently -30 to -40F. They had a gas hot water heater burner mounted in an shallow sheetmetal box with a shovel handle attached & a 20 pound propane bottle. When called for cold start assistance they'd light the burner, adjust to level appropriate for the vehicle ( so as not to burn it up), slide it under the oil pan, & go inside for a cup of coffee. In 15 minutes or so the vehicle would start like summer, usually with the aid of jumper cables 'cause the owner had already cranked 'till the battery was dead. The burner was big enough to also warm large vehicles. MikeD74T

 

[kenstrac]

When I had my old '82 Peugeot 504D wagon, I'd park it next to the house, next to the dryer vent.

I'd carefully remove the plastic flappers on the vent, stick a 6-foot, 4" dia. flexible aluminum vent hose into it, drape that over the fender and aim it at the intake manifold under the partially-closed hood.

I'd go in to have breakfast, turn on the dryer for 1/2 hr or so, good to go.

(Didn't have a garage then!)

I had a 504D wagon also never had or used a heater started every time,great car 34MPG wish I still had it.

 

[tugboat-2]

Late 40's, and 1950's,...cold winter starts always began with a small wood fire on a coal shovel, (like a snow shovel today) and slide the shovel head under the oil pan a while. Depending on the temp. you might pull the shovel out and re-stoke the fire a little and shove it under again.

Many folk did that, the vehicles I recall most clearly being involved with was a model A Ford and the other a 38 Chrysler limmo. NEVER recall a problem but looking back from here,...its amazing! ....But it worked. Trucks and tractors also but I mention the cars because they were low and usually leaked a little gas,.....but,..no problems,..WHEW!!! Prolly tooooo darned ccccold!!

I also recall (not that long ago,...running my caged trouble light, (mechanic's light) under the hood beside the battery and a bat of pink insulation wrapped around that to keep the battery thinking it was summer. It worked!

However, today it's nice to be able to plug the tractor in,...so much easier!

Merry Christmas! (This thread brought back some very old memories)!!!

CHEERS!
. . tug

 

[PILOON]

Some aviation cold weather tidbits of info:

When they built the DEW line up in the artic, Herman Nelson heaters were the thing.
500,000 BTU's blower portable furnaces on skids rigged with 3 8" heater ducts.
One duct for each engine and one for the cockpit.
Now that will start anything!

Also they would remouve spark plugs and warm them before starting engines.
The theory being that engine compression would cause the damp air to create frost on the plugs when the cylinders compressed damp cold air. Spark will not occur if plugs are frosted over.
Pilots would keep plugs in the sleeping bag to keep them warm!

Aircraft engines designated for artic usage often had 'oil dilution' systems.
A valve would be opened to allow gasoline to enter the engine oil sump thereby thinning the oil for cold starting.
Once fired up the pilot would idle the engine for a specified period to allow the gas to evaporate before applying power.
Guess that was the origional '0-40 multi grade oil'.
Manual quoted 2 mins of idle for 1 min of dilution B4 applying power.

 

[PILOON]

Once had a Deere 510 tractor that had an 'in dash' device that allowed a can of either to be screwed in with a push button device so that the operator could squirt quickstart at the same time that he activated the starter.
It actually looked to be a factory installed option.