Page 1 of 2

Really cold start?!?

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:40 pm
by FredVenne
Good evening to all of you!

Quick question here for those that had to experience cold morning start lately... Have you had more success starting your van on those cold morning than at a mild -5?
This whole summer, I had some issues starting the Yeti when it was below 10 Celsius. This morning at -35... one... only ONE crank, a flash of black smoke and boom... Started happily...

Any thoughts?

Fred

P.S. I'm starting to think that maybe we should move in the Yukon...

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:00 pm
by bassnailer
had some problems starting at -20 this winter on a hunting trip. It was crack....crank...crank...crank...........crank.crank put..put...put..black smoke chug chug chug...etc

Had 15 weight oil in. Shoulda gone lighter.

I

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 9:52 pm
by djelica
Edit:

sorry I thought I was in the L400 section.

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:15 pm
by sub-arctic
This is mildly encouraging as I will be retrieving my van from the warm climates of vancouver to drive it back to Yellowknife in the beginning of February! it might be a cold one :shock:

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:34 pm
by nxski
I used to have starting problems below 10 as well but now with lighter oil (5W40 Royal Purple full synthetic) and the manual glow plug system it always starts first crank. Tons of black smoke for about 30 seconds (I think I need my injectors cleaned) but fires right away! 8-)

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:18 am
by jessef
don't change a thing ! If you're starting that easy in -35, you're golden. 8-)

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 1:06 am
by Pajero
Mine here in PG has started just fine with the block heater plugged in and the synthetic oil it fires right up even at -30, although if it was not plugged in I know it would start but it would take alot of cranking to get it going and it would sound like a bag of hammers!! lol :-D

Joe

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:03 am
by FredVenne
I wonder if it may be because of moisture in the fuel tank/lines... So when it is really cold, it has easier start...

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:24 am
by nxski
5w40+block heater+oil pan heater+manual glow plug system+2-stroke oil+petrolabs, starting at -10 = the easiest start I've ever had with my van (summer or winter) and barely any smoke (another first)!

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:15 pm
by Firesong
Just a question.
-35 is this including a windchill? Wondering what it was without the wind.

:)

I could say mine started at -47 this last 2 days but only a pure
-32 in saskatoon (plus wind on top which means nothing to an engine).
I forgot initially with a manual tranny to hold
the clutch in since the tranny will bog it down on the crank in the cold.

FS

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:37 pm
by Pajero
Currently in Banff it is -29 without the wind, so I bet it was -35 there that morining. It's currently -31 here in Prince George and was -45 the other day with the windchill factor. It's been a brutal week for cold around here. :shock:

Joe

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:10 pm
by FredVenne
Firesong wrote:Just a question.
-35 is this including a windchill? Wondering what it was without the wind.

:)

I could say mine started at -47 this last 2 days but only a pure
-32 in saskatoon (plus wind on top which means nothing to an engine).
I forgot initially with a manual tranny to hold
the clutch in since the tranny will bog it down on the crank in the cold.

FS
Actually, If your vehicle faces the wind, it will definitely affect your engine.

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:08 am
by naterade
Yes it's been between -30 and -38 here in Calgary this week, at times down to -49 with wind chill :shock: ... brrrr

On Monday night, somehow my rear hatch did not close properly, leaving the rear light on all night/following day, and my block heater was plugged in but not running - bad connection or something.

So needless to say, the van would not start on Tuesday. A few cranks and the battery had it.


So, yesterday, after having the battery charged and the block heater plugged in and actually working for about an hour, I gave it another shot and she got going without much protest.

Having 0W-40 synthetic oil this winter has really helped cold starts, and I'm sure it is much easier on the engine.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:41 am
by Raule Duke
Nobody has mentioned batteries yet, if your batteries are tired those temps will really cut down their capacity! Make sure you have high out put batteries that are sub zero rated ;)

Last winter I was over near salmon lake (couple hours east of merit) and we were staying in this yurt that you can rent. Thermometers were reading -26. I gave ten seconds of glow, waited 5, then another 10 seconds glowing and she started like normal. No ip seals and new injectors also ;)

Re: Really cold start?!?

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:21 am
by Firesong
It was said...
Actually, If your vehicle faces the wind, it will definitely affect your engine


But it won't affect starting.. Definitely maintaining proper running temps
not to mention stripping heat from the cabin.

FS