How's a CRD start at -20?

pwrwagn · **Joined:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:40 am **Posts:** 192

I've not had any issues yet, but the coldest has been just below 0F so far, but tomorrow morning is predicted -18.

I don't think my block heater works, though it is plugged in - I don't think it has EVER been used, since lived its whole life in or near Seattle, which never actually sees cold weather.

BTW, I have the steel glow plugs, the 7V ones? Got them from Italy. Seems to start reasonably fast enough, but it misses and smokes alot for up to 20 seconds after firing up.

BTW, for those in the midwest (or anywhere cold) here... Stanadyne Performance Formula is THE best fuel conditioner there is... Period. The stuff you find in the truck stops, auto parts stores.. .meh. I used to be a Stanadyne factory certified injection technician, and they told us what they put in it... It's the best all around, bar none. Cetane improver for better starts, smoke reducers, lubricates and cleans your fuel system (including injectors), anti-gel, AND it prevents water from attacking your hard parts AND it helps your water separator do exactly what it is designed to do.

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 06, 2014 1:37 am

I've had good luck starting big diesels in the field using a map gas torch. Popped the air filter out, and held the torch so it was blowing hot air into the intake, without the flame hitting anything. Obviously that's hard to do with the VM, so you could try a hair dryer, seriously, you'd be amazed what a hair dryer will do in 60 seconds.
I have my rigs plugged in all night with power service in the lines. Weatherman here says anyone 40 and younger haven't seen temps as low as what were gonna get. The high for Tuesday is -3 with wind chill around -40.

05REDCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:21 am

I have only been to -9* so far. No additives, and other than the turbo spooling up, it starts smooth and even. Today and tomorrow will tell the tale though... It is supposed to get to -19*. My block heater is inop, so I am worst case.

pwrwagn · **Joined:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:40 am **Posts:** 192

I am in Warrenville, IL (next door to Naperville). It's currently -14 (7 AM) and it's supposed to keep getting colder for 2-3 hours and hit -18.

I'm going to go out and try to start it in a little while, to head off to work.

05REDCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:23 am

Level 3 Weather Emergency here, NO TRAVEL... except to go to work (I really don't think so!). Gonna stay home where it is warm.

diesel_guy86 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:46 am

Here too, we had rain, and then it dove below 0 an snowed. Haven't seen a plow truck yet.

etravlr · **Posted:** Mon Jan 06, 2014 12:01 pm

-24 this morning in St Paul, MN. Cycled the glow plugs twice (all accessories tunred off).

She cranked slower than normal but fired with the normal amount of below zero complaining. Rattled briefly and smoothed out.

I do have a GDE hot tune.

pwrwagn · **Joined:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:40 am **Posts:** 192

Apparently, my block heater DOES work. It started right up instantly and no smoke or missing or any other drama.

But there's almost no work, for a courier, so I'm still sitting at home, wishing.

mass-hole · **Posted:** Mon Jan 06, 2014 1:40 pm

I started it the other day without the engine block heater when it was -7F here. I typically won't plug it in if i know if wont be driving it the following morning but this time i did not plan well. It certainly struggled to turn over, but I am also on the original Optima Redtop and I think it's on its way out.

I tested the current on my heater and it was drawing 385 watts. Thats why i dont like to leave it in all night if i dont have too.

Billy M · **Posted:** Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:19 pm

I just started mine at work after it sat 9 hours in -5 temps. One glow plug cycle, slower than usual cranking, about 2x cranking time (mine is usually pretty quick to start), rough running at first w/some smoke, smoothed out after about 5-6 seconds.

I have the GDE ECO tune, and cheapie 7V steel glow plugs.

My 1997 Powerstroke wouldn't start below +12 with new batteries. I have no complaints with the little VM.

Billy

pwrwagn · **Joined:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:40 am **Posts:** 192

After starting it up about 8 am and running a few minutes, I ended up not going anywhere, and so it sat till 1 pm. When I went to leave, it cranked and cranked, firing on one cylinder for a while, but eventually stumbled into life.

I didn't wait my usual time for the glow plugs, though, which is normally about 10 to 15 seconds.

CATCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:13 pm

etravlr wrote:

-24 this morning in St Paul, MN. Cycled the glow plugs twice (all accessories tunred off).

She cranked slower than normal but fired with the normal amount of below zero complaining. Rattled briefly and smoothed out.

I do have a GDE hot tune.

What glow plugs do you have, and was your block heater plugged in?

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

-13 deg F this morning, using stock ceramic plugs, no plug in heat, it cranked very slow but started fine. Record is -20 deg F with no block heat and no issues. I have a weak glow plug but that didn't prevent engine from starting.

asonyi · **Posted:** Tue Jan 07, 2014 12:54 pm

It was 2 degrees F here in NJ this morning at about 6:30am. My little beastly CRD cranked a few times and fired right up. A little rough in the beginning but eventually sounded as good as usual. I'm running the eco tune on mine. Been very pleased with its performance and durability so far.

dennhop · **Posted:** Tue Jan 07, 2014 2:34 pm

-13 here in Indy. I didn't run it the other day, and apparently I can't plug the truck and the Jeep in at the same time, without tripping a CB, so the block heater wasn't running at all. I ended up having to jump it with my neighbors truck. Also, my EHM froze up, so I ended up having to cut it at the puck in order to relieve pressure on the crankcase...

dennhop · **Posted:** Tue Jan 07, 2014 2:34 pm

-13 here in Indy. I didn't run it the other day, and apparently I can't plug the truck and the Jeep in at the same time, without tripping a CB, so the block heater wasn't running at all. I ended up having to jump it with my neighbors truck. Also, my EHM froze up, so I ended up having to cut it at the puck in order to relieve pressure on the crankcase...

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Jan 07, 2014 2:52 pm

dennhop - that's odd. The KJ heater is 400w and I think the Dodge one is 750w for a total draw with both running of 1,150w which should be well under the limits of a typical 15amp breaker unless the breaker is defective, been known to happen, or there some other heavy draw on the circuit like a microwave or coffee pot.

xhizzous · **Posted:** Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:04 pm

It was -10 or -12 here in Akron Ohio. Cycled the Glow plugs a couple times and tried to fire. It cranked alittle slow the first time around and had trouble the second time I hit it. I couldnt get it going. Failed me today :/ first time thats happened. Poured some of the Emergency anti gel in as well but didnt get to test it until after work.

About 5 or so i went out and tried again. It cranks better but quickly died so I probably killed the battery. Primer pump on fuel filter seems hard to push so may have fuel problem .. dispite the fact that I have Antigel in the tank for the past 5 or so tanks.

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

Sounds like you need a new battery.

Whiskey · **Posted:** Tue Jan 07, 2014 8:35 pm

Mine has been starting fine. Block heater and trickle charger going all night and Power Service Arctic Blend in the tank. I've got cardboard blocking off the grill and I've been throwing a blanket over the engine as soon as I get home at night to try to keep some heat in. Kicked right over yesterday morning at -30. In fact I was able to start up yesterday with out much effort while one of the guys I work with had to drag a generator outside to plug his block heater into to get his Ram gasser running.

How's a CRD start at -20?

Who is online