any tips for cold weather start up?

redcrd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:46 pm

i'll be visiting the northeast on my yearly ski trip to the poconos in january, however this year i'm taking my crd, (first time diesel owner) i'm from florida, i was wondering if the warming up process is longer than a gas engine (i understand diesel engines don't like cold weather). what tips are there for cold weather start up if i dont have a block warmer? what about oil? any input would be much help thanks

W3CSX · **Posted:** Fri Dec 02, 2005 11:01 pm

Your CRD does have a block heater. It is included in the diesel package. You will find the cord zipped tided to the oil dipstick. I snaked the cord down the engine bay along the battery and under the grill for easy access. If the temps are below freezing plug it in. Just remember to unplug it before you start her.

If you can’t plug it in. Turn the key to run. Look for the glow plug light and let it go out before starting your jeep. Let it idle until the temp gauge rises to about a quarter. Depending on the temperature this could take 10-15min.

pnorton · **Posted:** Fri Dec 02, 2005 11:44 pm

I've had temps around 10 degrees F. No problems at all. I haven't used the block heater yet. If I recall correctly the manual says to use it in temps below 0 degrees F? You might want to fuel up in the north to get winterized fuel? A few thoughts from an amature.
Enjoy the trip!!!

rjmaype · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:13 am

I add a diesel additve from Walmart, (white bottle has an anti gel agent).

W3CSX · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:48 am

Gust a note.

The manual ('05 at least) only references the 3.7L in regards to the block heater. You will find a diesel is far less forgiving in the cold than a gasser. I believe this is why the heater is included with the CRD package no matter how far south you are.

It is possible to start w/o the heater. But it takes a while to crank over and a long time to worm up. Why needlessly put her thru this abuse and extra stress? If you can use the cord and the temps are below freezing, use it.

I’m speaking from experience here. The temps in mountains of Western Maryland have been down in the mid teens lately. If I forget to plug in. There are major differences in the hesitation and performance. It’s just better to use it and have the jeep ready to go in the morning. She will start up with out any hesitation and you can go w/o waiting to warm up if you have to. I still let her warm up a little. But, this takes far less time than with out the heater.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:42 am

What I find amazing is how quick and easy the CRD starts and warms up from a cold start. I guess it is all about the Glow plugs and viscous heater that helps heat up the engine coolant. The coolant seems to run a steady 173*F when running down the interstate.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:48 pm

If you have a block heater, why not use it? The electricity used is cheap insurance. If you wonder if it may be cold enough to use, use the thing. And always wait for the glow plug light to turn off before starting no matter what temp it is out side. These things combined will double the life of your starter. Diesel starters are not cheap. They always fail in the middle of winter on the coldest day when you are late for work or the GF is in the "mood" (assuming she is somewhere other then with you) Good Luck.

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

It is amazing how fast the CRD heats up with the auxillary heater. It's also amazing how much better the CRD sounds and runs when you use the block heater - even for 28 F nights. Last night it was 28 F when I left work late, and I had heat within a minute, and a mile down the road I had roasting heat. But I use the block heater on a timer if the temps dip below 30F and I'm at home, because it runs warm and quiet from the get go.

I don't envy those TDI owners without an aux heater!

Derek Mc · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 3:19 pm

No UK KJ petrol or Diesel has block heaters fitted (come to that no other car i can recall have them either

In winter when in the high twenties, I will start her and allow to idle (as this is what our owners manual advises) for anything between 10 and 60 seconds temperature depending prior to driving her.
Fortunately my KJ lives in a heated garage beside my 750i so the morning temp is around 50 degrees when I start her.
I wonder why they don't fit the block heater to ours though?

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

I'm guessing cost controls. Since the KJ's are assembled in the US, they most likely buy the block heaters here, and it probably costs less to buy 110 VAC, 60 Hz heaters than to buy 220VAC units I think you would need in the UK. At the price point, though, it does seem rather pointless to save a few dollars on something so important to a diesel engine. Do you have many days in the UK where it gets below 32F (0 c)?

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:11 pm

They probably saved $10 per car by leaving them off. :roll:

Our cars are kept in a very well insulated and heated garage that stays a steady 65*F <>68*F even when -10*F outside.

Derek Mc · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:04 pm

Ranger1 wrote:

Do you have many days in the UK where it gets below 32F (0 c)?

I live in a town about four miles as the crow flies from the North Sea (and overlook the isle of Arran too, visible from our bedroom windows)
anytime from early Nov to March we can get harsh frosts and temps of around -5C / 22F yet oone mile out towards the coast its green and free of any ice! due to being a small bay and micro climate it rarly gets below freezing unless where I am is about -10C / 14F
The cold snaps can last one or two days or up to two weeks straight per event.
All diesel sold here is winterised from October through to April, it smokes a bit more smells more acrid but will go to -25C without crystalising.

Sadly (well erm probably a good thing really!!!) we don't get massive snow falls and whiteout months anymore, as a teenager our last winter whitout was in 1981 when it was white from late Jan to mid March, at that age it was a real hoot!

In the good old days (and a question for OldNavy) some folks put a gallon of petrol in a tank of diesel before technology developed modern ULS Diesels, ever come across this one?

fireman1028 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 4:44 pm

Quote:

Let it idle until the temp gauge rises to about a quarter. Depending on the temperature this could take 10-15min

I wouldn't recommend letting it idle for an extended period of time.

Just get in and go, that is the quickest way to get heat

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 5:32 pm

Derek Mc wrote:

Ranger1 wrote:

In the good old days (and a question for OldNavy) some folks put a gallon of petrol in a tank of diesel before technology developed modern ULS Diesels, ever come across this one?

Yes I have seen it done when I was a kid. Also when I was a kid I remember folks, including my dad, putting diesel fuel in the oil shortly before changing and also on ocassion a dose of diesel in the gas tank. :shock:

I can remember when Pensoil came out with "Z-7" detergent additive in their oils and my dad started using the stuff. :wink:

Just a guess, but about 50 to 55 years ago for those memories. :oops:

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 8:15 pm

If you start your CRD on a cold morning, and sit there waiting for it to warm up, you may be there for a LONG time. After driving mine the other day and getting it up to full operating temp, I put it in park and let it idle in a parking lot for just a few minutes and the temp. guage actually started dropping!! I sat there and watched the engine getting colder as it ran! Welcome to the world of diesels. So I don't think waiting for it to warm up would be a good idea.

I guess I'll try my block heater tonight and see how it works.

pierce1979 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:30 pm

I have had no probs starting my CRD in the mornings (Michigan weather) and it sits outside all night w/ no block heater going. Glow plug light says for 2-3 seconds, and it fires right up. But yeah, it heats up much faster if you starting driving right away, I usually jump onto I-75 and within a mile its warmed up

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:06 pm

Our VW's would take about 7 to 9 miles like that to warm up.

allscan · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 11:04 pm

Started plugging my CRD in tonight. According to weather.com its supposed to start snowing Monday afternoon and into Tuesday, this should be fun watching everyone try to drive in snow. Its nice to know I'll have near instant heat in the morning, but not so nice to know my electric bill is going to go up.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 11:36 pm

allscan wrote:

Started plugging my CRD in tonight. According to weather.com its supposed to start snowing Monday afternoon and into Tuesday, this should be fun watching everyone try to drive in snow. Its nice to know I'll have near instant heat in the morning, but not so nice to know my electric bill is going to go up.

Only if they are charging you about $10 per kWh for your electricy. Here we pay about 8 cents per kWh and if you have a 600W heater on for 3 hrs then it cost about 16 cents x 7 = $1.12 plus tax for 7 days x 4 = $4.48 + tax per month. You however may be paying 3 to 5 times that I guess for your power rate, and if that's the case you still won't really notice in comparison to other things you have running.

n3qik · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 11:38 pm

Found this while surfing.

http://www.webastoshowroom.com/blueheat/anim_explanation.htm

Now where to mount it???

any tips for cold weather start up?

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