Ready for Winter

[flyfishn]

Well just added 4' of cord to my block heater so now I won't have to crawl underneath to plug it in. It takes several cranks in the morning to fire up and it's only 5 C.
So I have to do my oil soon, would it be best to hit CVI or can I just have something like that done locally here in North Van? Crown Tech? RJD?

Thanks

[jessef]

At 5c it should crank over on the first turn.

If you're changing your oil, it would be a good time to go to the winter spec. 5w40 Rotella synthetic Shell oil. It's expensive but holy cow, does it ever make cold starts easier on your engine. It's VERY noticeable. Well worth the extra bucks.

Because of the special synthetic compound, it's now used year-round by longhaul diesel rigs.

It's the only oil I will put in my diesels.

Next would be the battery(ies).

If you have two, I suggest to ditch both and get one good battery.

For around $200 you buy one insanely-cold starting battery or a pair of average batteries.

I recommend the Odyssey 1500. It's just over $200 at Polar Battery on Boundary and it's what the SARS and emergency outback vehicles use. Best bang for the buck in one battery for a diesel.

[flyfishn]

Thanks Jesse.
I will keep the 2 batteries for the season. They are practically brand new.
I will probably gor for that oil. Do you switch back to regular oil for the summer.
Who should I get to change it, not worth the time and hassle for me to do it.

[konadog]

When I switched to the 5-40 synth last fall I had intended on using that all the time, summer and winter. With the warmer weather in the spring, however, a loonie sized dribble of oil started to leak out every time we parked. ccautos Darren new as soon as I told him I had 5-40 synth in there. He told me to switch back to 15-40 mineral for the warm months and the leak would almost certainly stop - He was right.
Next oil change coming up I'll go back to the 5-40 synth though, as it is getting colder...
Got a block heater this winter too! :)

[jessef]

I've had 5w40 Rotella synth all year round with zero problems.

EGT's are the same or similar in the hot summer months.

There are other 5w40 synth's that may not be as good as the Rotella stuff.

I've been using their T6 formula. They keep making their synth stuff better and better.

Excellent extreme high/low-temperature protection

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?sit ... etail.html

[konadog]

I was using Rotella - I figure Hazel has some tiny cracks in the seals around the oil filter mount where the leak appeared. Replacing those seals was an option at the time, but that's when Darren suggested the less expensive option...

[White Mule]

Amsoil 5w-40 synthetic year round has proven its self to me. Ensure fuel is topped up at all times and use a timer on the block heater. The block heater only needs a couple of hours prior to starting when its -30. Add extra weight to the rear if possible as well. We all know about the light rear end "shuffle". Last but not least, do the walk around pre and post travel.

[robinimpey]

Synthetic oil yes!!! I makes a huge difference to cold weather starts and must be way better for the engine than trying to lubricate with syrup! I changed to synthetic last year and put a bypass filter on and change the cartridge every few thousand kms. I'm running synthetic year round in my Delica.

[marsgal42]

I run 15W40 oil all year in Gumdrop and have had no starting issues down to -15.

The batteries that came from Japan lasted one fairly average Vancouver winter. The coldest start that winter was a mere -6. I replaced them with a set of new ones from Polar Battery and had no difficulty last winter, which was much colder than average.

Correct starting technique is crucial. A lot of hard starting complaints come down to this. On the old batteries Gumdrop's starter sometimes sounded like a Model A. But she started every time. Shogo taught me well.

...laura

[flyfishn]

What mechanic could I use on the North Shore to do my oil change?
Anyone have an idea?

Thanks

[Body File]

I know it sounds silly, but have you checked your glow plugs?

I was having a bad time starting, crank and crank and crank at or about any where near zero. Then i put in a glow plug bypass. Fixed the problem right down to -15, but it hits -50 here in Cold Lake, AB. Replaced two burned out plugs (probally because of over zealous glow plugging) and switched oil, works again.

It was a lot of little things that would of been fixed had i got my GCU serviced properly and my plugs checked last year. Butch did the work for me this year and the van starts and more importantly idles like a dream. i can finally start it and let it warm up without constantly working the gas pedal and glowplug button. Now I'm free to scrape windows etc etc

[TardisDeli]

After having tried my own oil change (still mopping up the driveway) I would get the oil change at one of the delica expert places. At the same time they take a quick look under for any obvious issues, like lower arm joints etc, cheap preventative maintenance. Recommend Edwin and Butch at CVI auto. Yes a bit of a drive, but well worth it.

[flyfishn]

Yeah, I called CVI the other day. Just gotta find a time that works for both of us, as I will be dragging the 10 mth old with me. Gotta be in and out fast.

[danfromvan]

Nathan Stott at RJD Services (1485 Rupert St in North Van left off Mtn Hwy north of Main, 604 986-8586) knows Delis well from Australia and can do all of your mechanical work. He has 2 or 3 of them in the shop every time I go there.

[flyfishn]

I've heard about them. I will swing by Tuesday.

Thanks