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-30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
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Author:  thomas04 [ Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:43 pm ]
Post subject:  -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
So it was a tad chilly today around Edmonton, Alberta. Had my Jeep plugged in all night and in the morning it started okay. A little rough but cannot complain with the deep freeze and all. Plugged Jeep in at work from 06:00 to 15:00. I go to start my Jeep at the end of the day and the darn thing would not turn over. It would attempt at starting, with diesel blowing in the frigid wind, but to no avail. I let sit for a minute then go to crank her over again. Turns over after 5 seconds. Once turned over it sounded as though the Jeep had been abandoned and attempted to be rejuvenated without any oil in the engine. It was horrendous.

Little back info. Battery is over a year old, Red Top. Recent oil change in the last 1000km. Checked for voltage a night ago with block heater cord and all seemed well.

Is it possible my engine starter or solenoid starter has gone? With the Jeep being plugged in I can understand that at -30 C it will not sound perfect, but it should not have nearly commited suicide. If anyone happens to have some advice as to were to start for possible solutions I am more then happy to check it out. After all, the real winter in Alberta has just started and it will be a long couple of months if this decides to keep happening. Thanks.

Peace,

Scott
Author:  racertracer [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
What oil are you using?
Author:  geordi [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
30 below? How many people in your community just leave the vehicle idling all winter instead?

I don't know that any battery will put up with those temperatures for long if they don't have a battery blanket and heater pad ON the battery. That may be your best solution. A battery will lose somewhere around 20% of its cranking ability dropping the temp from 70 to 32 (zero to you Celsius types) but going below freezing, especially by that much... The battery is suffering BADLY and could easily be half its rating. Your CRD requires a good LARGE amount of cranking power normally... When it is that cold, the entire engine, block heater or not, just will be much harder to rotate.

I also wonder if maybe that block heater isn't strong enough, it is only 400 watts. But I think I would try a battery warmer first, see what options exist for you on that front. If the battery thinks it is a warm spring day, it might be more capable of delivering for you.
Author:  thomas04 [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
Amsoil 5W-40 European Diesel Car Formula. I also use stanadyne fuel additive once every 2 or 3 fills.
Author:  msilbernagel [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
At that temperature, the fuel is probably gelling - even with the increased kerosene (#1 diesel) to thin it.

That would account for a lot of the noise..

Can you get the recommended Amsoil 0-40W? Might help a bit too...

Mark
Author:  tregrrr [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
mine used to live just south of the city... the PO used ams 5w40 euro-car too, and assured me that the libby never had grief with cold starting. They have been completely stand-up on everything they told me thusfar.

+1 on the batt warmer. the crappytire small one fits under the blanket and if you pull tight the original velcros will close enough to hold it all in. 30$ well spent

I also threw a 1.5a maintenance charger into the equation on my Dakota when I was running the rigs.... Never hurts the battery to be sitting at 30C AND 13.8v

good luck bro



and geordi... its not a "community" lol I tend to reserve that usage for small native settlements

Edmonton is a City of over half a million people (who aren't as smart as me... I moved to the coast)
Author:  Hoosier CRD [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
Sorry to hear about the trouble.

I have to say that I also use the Amsoil 5W-40 European Spec oil. I currently am using a Racor fuel additive (it was free), but have used (and sell) Stanadyne fuel additives-I mix Performance and Lubricity. And I also plug in my tractor if I even think it's getting cold. It starts like it's a warm summer day. I also have a new battery as of September, 2011.

One question that comes to mind: Does the receptacle at work have power going to it?
Trust but verify. Sounds to me like you are doing everything that you can.

For anyone who is dealing with gelled fuel, try FPPF "Meltdown" Add this to your tank AND to the fuel filter in case of a gell up. Wait 15-20 minutes and the engine should start and run. Disclaimer: I have not personally used this product. I do have a quart of it in the garage just in case it is needed. I have talked--at length--to a diesel truck shop owner who has gone on plenty of road service calls in his day. He swears by Meltdown to the point that everything else that is supposed to work for gelled fuel is doing nothing but gathering dust on a shelf in his shop. Hope this helps.

FWIW

Hoosier CRD

P.S. -30C equals -22F. Plenty cold in my book.
Author:  RJM [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
Invest in a pan heater, its -34C in this neck of the woods as well, and mine started like it was a summer day. Also try to park out of the wind, as the chill factor will rob the heat from the block heater faster than it can produce it.
Author:  Sebica [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
It is -35C/-25F in Saskatoon, SK., Canada also, so I am in the same boat.
Number one: 1: Get a batterry buddy, its one of those mini chargers that you can conect with your block heater electrical cord and every time you plug in your vehicle, your battery will stay charged and worm (when charging, the battery creats a litle bit of heat), ensure trhat you have that factory plastic wrap around your battery,
2: Ensure that you use a 0-40 Full syntetic oil , I personally prefer Amsoil, its the best,
3: Have a shield or some kind of cover in the front of your rad, and a oil pan heater is very good ideea,
4: Try to keep the vehicle front end away from direct wind blast when parked outside, if posible.
5: And every fuel fill add a litle diesel antigelling fluid, just to be on the safe side, name brand does not matter,just make sure its for diesel.

I do those things and I have no problem with my CRD, I hope this helps you.
Author:  RJM [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
A bad battery is not the cause of the rough starting. The engine does not have enough heat to fire properly. If you have removed the decorative engine cover now may be the time to re-install it. also block the grill to keep the wind out. every little bit of insulation helps at those temps. As far as the new Red Top, their quality is questionable at best. I run an Oddessy AGM and the cold has little to no effect on its ability to turn the engine over, even at -30. High heat is what kills them. Co-op DMO 0w40 oil is made in Canada for our climate. Our winter diesel in Canada is blended for those temps. Antigel is a waste of money. :2cents:
Author:  Hoosier CRD [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
RJM wrote:
Invest in a pan heater, its -34C in this neck of the woods as well, and mine started like it was a summer day. Also try to park out of the wind, as the chill factor will rob the heat from the block heater faster than it can produce it.


A Polar Pad, eh?

You mean like this one?

http://www.canadianpolarpad.com/installation.html

Hoosier CRD
Author:  RJM [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
Yup! Eh!
Author:  thomas04 [ Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
Thanks for all the tips. Trying out the battery wrap and seems to making a difference.

Question for the Canadian CRD owners: are there any mods that you have completed in the far north that has helped the Jeep generally run better with less breakdowns? Just wondering out loud. I would like to know what others have done and has made a positive difference toward their jeep relationship. Thanks again for all your time.

Peace,

Scott
Author:  geordi [ Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
thomas04 wrote:
are there any mods that you have completed in the far north that has helped the Jeep generally run better with less breakdowns?


Moving out of Satan's Beer Fridge seems to be the most effective "mod" to reducing cold-related problems!

We'd love to have more CRDs down here in the USA, instead of up there in America's Attic. Eh! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

All said completely in jest, I love Canada and her gorgeous women. Although I do think it was mean keeping the cute ones up there and sending us Celine Dion. Anytime you want her and that dammn Titanic song back...
Author:  RJM [ Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: -30 C And A Few Concerns on Starting
Kill the EGR (numerous methods), never run below 1/2 full to prevent condensation and water acc. in
the fuel tank and filter. crankcase vapours should be filtered (numerous methods) out or sent elsewhere to prevent the condensation from cold startups bieng sent back into the oil and degrading it. Use quality oil and change it more often in the winter. Get CAA :pepper:
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