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Low idle when starting in cold ?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:05 pm
by jessef
There is a 'cold start' package on all L400's.

This is a cold idle device which is a thermal capsule which expands when the engine coolant is hot.

When the engine is cold, the timing is advanced and idle rpm is higher than normal.

As coolant temp increases, the capsule moves a lever to retard timing a bit/ lower the idle speed.

It's a little tube going from the block to the injection pump.

If your idle is low, check to see if the tube is clogged.

Re: Low idle when starting in cold ?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:08 pm
by dasein
Timing is advanced? Are you talking about gas engines, or diesel ones? I am sure that injection timing is fixed, but perhaps it adds more fuel?

Re: Low idle when starting in cold ?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:58 pm
by marsgal42
dasein wrote:Timing is advanced? Are you talking about gas engines, or diesel ones? I am sure that injection timing is fixed, but perhaps it adds more fuel?
It's quite common for diesel engines to advance the injection timing for cold starts.

...laura

Re: Low idle when starting in cold ?

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:25 pm
by ShaneA
jfarsang wrote:If your idle is low, check to see if the tube is clogged.
What would you consider "low" Jesse? I haven't noticed any difference in the idle RPM from when I was at -14 in Whistler and our current +10 in Vancouver.

Shane

Re: Low idle when starting in cold ?

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:39 pm
by jessef
700 is low for startup.

Re: Low idle when starting in cold ?

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 3:54 pm
by dasein
marsgal42 wrote:
dasein wrote:Timing is advanced? Are you talking about gas engines, or diesel ones? I am sure that injection timing is fixed, but perhaps it adds more fuel?
It's quite common for diesel engines to advance the injection timing for cold starts.

...laura
I didn't think you were right on mechanically injected diesels, so I had a word with a buddy who is an HD mechanic. He knew of no examples of what you say. Not saying you are wrong, but please let me know more, if you can. How would you adjust the EDIT injection EDIT timing? I can think of a few ways, but have not seen any examples of this on any diesels I have worked on.

Re: Low idle when starting in cold ?

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:13 pm
by jessef
marsgal42 wrote:]injection timing
dasein wrote:ignition timing
We are talking about injection timing.

It is adjusted via proprietary gauge tool via rear of the injection pump. The pump itself rotates on the shaft axis adjusting the timing.

Non-turbo and turbo have different timing settings.

Many come over with retarded timing (non-turbo) when they should be advanced (turbo).

Re: Low idle when starting in cold ?

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:31 pm
by dasein
jfarsang wrote:
marsgal42 wrote:]injection timing
dasein wrote:ignition timing
We are talking about injection timing.

It is adjusted via proprietary gauge tool via rear of the injection pump. The pump itself rotates on the shaft axis adjusting the timing.

Non-turbo and turbo have different timing settings.

Many come over with retarded timing (non-turbo) when they should be advanced (turbo).
Typo, Jessie. You know I meant injection timing.

Marsgal was implying that the injection timing is changed for cold starting. I don't think this is the case.

It seems that you are talking about using a tool to adjust the injection timing. Not what I was talking about at all. I was replying to Marsgal's statement that injection timing is dynamically changed (doubt it on mechanically injected diesels).