30 degree cold start (opinions wanted)

[PNW_noob]

Hi All,

I'm very new to diesels, just wondering what y'all think of this 30deg F cold start. Any concerning noises or does it sound consistent with other idi's?

**two prior 15sec crank no-start cycles trimmed from video, couldn't upload to forum**

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Thanks, stay warm out there!

 

[Clb]

Proofread and find waldo for us

 

[FrozenMerc]

No video, but at 30 degrees, it should start easily, rattle and knock for at most a couple of seconds and quickly settle into a smooth idle.

Now, do a cold start at -30 and we will have some more interesting noises to talk about.

 

[PNW_noob]

Proofread thanks,
I did have to link the video externally, the forum wouldn't allow my file type

 

[Black dawg]

Cranking speed is way slow. Should crank much faster. That will make it start much better.

It does sound on the noisy side to me, but hard to tell with a video for sure.

 

[PNW_noob]

Cranking speed is way slow. Should crank much faster. That will make it start much better.

It does sound on the noisy side to me, but hard to tell with a video for sure.

Thanks, I guess I'll try fully charging up the batteries and see if that makes a difference.
I think that's why I posted, it seems noisy to me also, it takes about 3 to 5 minutes for the clatter to 'slightly' smooth out but it is a noticeable change

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I noticed that your fast idle isn't working. Some people don't use it at all. I was just pointing it out.

 

[BrianX128]

Definitely way too slow cranking speed. Idle noise sounds good me they are always loud if it's cold out and the timing is good. Might be idling a bit slow too.

 

[DaveBen]

Check your battery. It must be in GOOD condition to turn the engine over at 500 rpms in 30 degree weather. Replace it if it does not keep a charge. Weak batteries are the number ONE cause of COLD no starts.

 

[rreegg]

Agree with everything said so far. Battery health will likely be first priority but also starters age out too - just cleaning the brushes/internals of the existing might be worth a shot if not wanting to buy a new one. Maybe unrelated to a slow crank are health of battery cables - cables Can corrode and give sporadic issues.

How much glow plug action was given on the start in the video? They must be good given it fired off at all with the slow crank

 

[Clb]

Op
I did not watch the vid.
But these people have COLD START experience .

for funsies
Lookup slave lake
Or someone just link it...
If that thing runs...
Um yea you can to.

 

[PNW_noob]

I noticed that your fast idle isn't working. Some people don't use it at all. I was just pointing it out.

Thanks for the reply, I'm not familiar with the fast idle, should I be looking for a switch somewhere?

Agree with everything said so far. Battery health will likely be first priority but also starters age out too - just cleaning the brushes/internals of the existing might be worth a shot if not wanting to buy a new one. Maybe unrelated to a slow crank are health of battery cables - cables Can corrode and give sporadic issues.

How much glow plug action was given on the start in the video? They must be good given it fired off at all with the slow crank

I just turn the key, there is a red "wait to start" indicator, when it goes out I crank it (it's like maybe 10-15sec.)

Definitely way too slow cranking speed. Idle noise sounds good me they are always loud if it's cold out and the timing is good. Might be idling a bit slow too.

Thanks, that's good to hear!

Thanks everyone else, I'll be looking at the batteries & related cables

 

[PNW_noob]

Op
I did not watch the vid.
But these people have COLD START experience .

for funsies
Lookup slave lake
Or someone just link it...
If that thing runs...
Um yea you can to.

Thanks, I'll check it out.
Mine seems to run okay ish, I was mostly just looking for an idea if it was running poorly or not, or at least getting people with way more experience with these vehicles to listen to what mine sounds like and how it starts cold

 

[KansasIDI]

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A real gooder

He swears constantly just so you know…

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Thanks for the reply, I'm not familiar with the fast idle, should I be looking for a switch somewhere?

Unless it's been changed from stock, it's automatic. There's a sender that is a switch. It sends power to the fast idle solenoid and the timing advance. It's stops doing that when the coolant temperature reaches about 120*. The sender is not gun to get to on a truck, much less on a van. It's underneath the thermostat housing, the part that the upper radiator hose attaches to on the engine side. There's a plug that attaches to the top of the sender. Sometimes, they can be unplugged or have a bad connection. The one on my current 1985 wasn't working when I got it in 2013. I just unplugged it and the plugged it back it. It's worked ever since.