tbrumm
Full Access Member
Well, winter is certainly here as it was 5° this morning. I haven't started my truck for a couple of days as I was deer hunting, but thought I would try it and see how she would do without being plugged in. Well, it started but it took some cranking and letting the starter cool for 30 sec. in between. She finally started on the third try. Now, I normally drive the truck every day during the winter, and plug it in every night and the timer kicks the block heater on 3 hours before I start it. It starts instantly this way! But I can't plug it in at work, so it is always a cold start at night when I leave to go home. I rebuilt my glow plug harness this summer and all beru plugs are working. The WTS light stays on for 12-14 sec. when its this cold. Batteries are new Interstates and starter is about 1 year old Powermaster. In other words, she is cranking fast enough. It has always taken some cranking when its this cold and not plugged in, but after I redid the glow plug harness and put in new batteries, I guess I was expecting better results. I don't think its air intrusion as it starts great plugged in, and starts great when the temp is above 30°. I don't expect instant starts at 5° as it is a diesel afterall, but I don't think it should take 3 cranking cycles either. Now, other than replacing the return caps, o-rings, hose, the fuel system is original with 80k in it. the IP timing is still set at the factory mark too. Do you think a small advance on the timing might help ("dimes thickness")? I nornally don't open throttle while cranking (other than setting the fast idle) as it normally starts so quick I can't hardly get off the key fast enough. Should I maybe push the throttle part way down while cranking? I always switch to 10W30 diesel rated oil for winter, but the 15W40 is still in there right now so I know that is a factor. I appreciate your thought, Guys!