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Oliver, Cletrac, Co-op & Cockshutt Tractors Discussion Forum
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Starting a Diesel in Winter

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Matt Kane

12-04-2006 13:47:41




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With the weather the way it is now. I"m afraid I"ll drain my battery before I get my Super 55 Diesel started. Its in a barn, and first of all the manifold preheater isn"t enough to warm things to get it to start right? And secondly is there a fairly inexpensive way to heat the engine to get it to start easier? I dont want to use either if possible. Ive never dealt with a diesel in winter, and I want to use a rear blade to remove the snow this year. Thanks.

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Matt Kane

12-05-2006 17:45:52




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
I'll check into a heater. Thanks for all of the suggestions.



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Rusty6

12-05-2006 14:36:06




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
All but one of my diesels have block (coolant) heaters on them and start well. For a fast warm up the 1500 watt is best but I would'nt want to leave it plugged in all day on a small cooling system. Its gets pretty hot in an hour. For continuous heating a smaller wattage , maybe 800 is a better choice. Cheaper too. Also the "salamander" or reddy heater works well. I use it on the one tractor that has no block heater. An old 730 Case diesel. About 15 minutes of that heater directed on the oil pan and up the side of the manifold really helps it start. Some shielding to hold the heat around the engine really helps too. Just don't use cardboard.

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El Toro

12-05-2006 14:13:00




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
I would do as Beck suggested using a tank heater.
Hal
PS: Here's a web site for them www.maesco.com and click on Hotstart



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Beck

12-05-2006 13:50:30




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
I don't know how cold it gets where you're at. In Wisconsin, we have 20 to 30 below zero weather on occasion. Those manifold heaters simply won't do the job in that kind of weather. Lots of good suggestions here-block heaters & oil pan heaters both work well. I use a 1500 watt tank heater. It has never failed me yet. Plug it in for a couple of hours and the tractor will start right up, even in below zero weather. Also, if it gets really cold, you will need to use #1 diesel fuel or add diesel anti-jel to your existing fuel. I have had tractors stop dead in their tracks in 20 below weather, due to jelled up fuel.

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LouNY

12-05-2006 05:20:47




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
I can start my 1550 right down to zero with out ether. I hold the preheat button for a full 50 seconds (using my watch), then I crank it about 3 revolutions, hold the preheat button again for 50 seconds then crank till she starts. Good Luck, I also use 15-40 synthectic oil, and I am useing JD low viscosity hy-guard for hydralic oil.



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Izzy

12-05-2006 04:50:58




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
Matt, I agree with the guys here about a block heater. However I do not use ether to start with, instead, I use WD-40 and it works. Not quite as dry on the glowplugs as ether.



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Hard Knocks

12-05-2006 04:44:50




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
Just take the very good advice and add a block heater and be done with the starting problems.
Block heaters are a lot cheaper than batteries and diesel starters



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luther

12-05-2006 03:23:46




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
Pull Start works the best



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davpal

12-05-2006 01:19:42




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
I learned something the other day that made my white with a 3208 cat in it start very easy. I dont know why I didn't think of it sooner. I have a rubbermaid atv trailer and I threw my 100,000 btu salamander reddy heater in it and wheeled it outside and pointed it about 3 feet from the engine using the trailer to get the exact angle to be effective and not getting too close to actually burn anything. I let is run about ten minutes on the side of the motor and over the top of it while I did a few things and went out and cranked it right up. It really warmed the whole block up to almost summer like temps in a very short time. I guess that is about all it takes. Just don't leave any heater like that unattended or point it at any grease or gas motors. It really worked very good and it worked very fast too. I wouldn't attempt to start it in winter without doing it. I actually have a block heater for it in the garage but I never got around to installing it. I believe that is the best way to heat them but the salamander does work. Try it, you will see. Later, good luck.

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tooly

12-04-2006 22:28:55




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
I hope this does not cause you problems but I will tell you my personal experience regarding the use of ether for starting my deisel engines.

I have owned a Cockshutt 1755 since new in 1972, as well as a Versatile 700 and a Versatile 145. The first 2 years or so I owned the 1755 I used the manifold heater as a starting aid, which was pretty well useless. One of the problems with it being that after using the preheater the best was already taken out of the battery. Every cold start since then was done using ether , and after 30 some years and about 7000 hours there is no sign of engine damage of any kind , the engine never has been opened up!

If you follow my method EXACTLY I dont think you should have problem, The first requirement is that you rig up so can spray the ether into air intake while the engine is cranking . CAUTION ! do not attempt to crank the engine while standing beside tractor!...guys get killed that way! The next VERY important thing to remember is to spray as small an amount as possible, up and down on the button as quick as possible , then continue cranking until the whiff of ether is drawn into the engine and the engine starts.If it fails to start let the tractor sit for a few minutes befor trying again .
Be sure to use as small an amount of ether as possible until experience tells you how much is right. If there is ANY knocking sound when the engine starts you have used TOO MUCH ETHER. NEVER spray until the engine starts (way to much that way) As I said I have used this method for many years with no ill effects Other caution of course is NEVER use ether after having used a preheater.

Take Care

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Mike (WA)

12-05-2006 08:32:19




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to tooly , 12-04-2006 22:28:55  
I know for a fact that what tooly says is true- I had a 1550 for 25 years, and started it with ether in exactly the same manner as he describes- never had a problem. As to the "long term effects" of ether starting, I sold it to a neighbor who didn't believe in ether. He fixed the preheater, and now starts it without ether. So much for long term damage.



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Matt Kane

12-04-2006 16:27:43




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
Well I know the heads not up to par, but it runs great. I have started it in 45 degree weather, maybe a little cooler, but not in the 10's-20's. Do you know about what these cost? So a coolant heater and a oil heater? Also use the manifold preheater? I have a new diesel battery, and 2/0 cables. Also new glowplugs.



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J Schwiebert

12-04-2006 16:48:23




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 16:27:43  
Glow Plugs? I thought you have a Super 55? We have a block heater on all the diesels down at the farm J.



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Matt Kane

12-04-2006 16:54:52




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to J Schwiebert, 12-04-2006 16:48:23  
Well theres two of them in the manifold. The Engines from a late 550 diesel. Its the manifold preheater. I would like to get something that can stay on the tractor and I could just plug in. I dont have electricity out in the barn, just a single extension cord. Unless I park in the garage. I wasn't sure if there was something that was made for the model of tractor.



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AB

12-04-2006 18:48:45




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 16:54:52  
Make sure the manifold preheater is working. Let it warm up a minute or two before starting. There is also a coolant heater you should be able to buy new or used that fits in your lower radiator hose that you can plug in. Our 550's have this heater on them and I could send you a picture or post it on here if you need to see it.



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Matt Kane

12-04-2006 19:05:34




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to AB, 12-04-2006 18:48:45  
I was doing about 30 seconds worth of preheating. I have never had a diesel until this year, had it last year but it needed rebuilt. I wasn't sure how long the preheater button should be pressed in. Should I crank for a few seconds to get diesel to the cylinders, then preheat? Once again thanks.



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AB

12-04-2006 19:24:03




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 19:05:34  
From the owners manual: Place throttle lever in full position. Energize preheater for 45 to 50 seconds. Disengage preheater and immediately engage starter. If tractor starts place throttle back to 3/4. If tractor fails to start within 10 seconds. Repeat procedure. Do not engage starter while preheating.

As always ensure you have good clean fuel and fuel filters and sediment bowl. Use winter blend diesel to prevent gelling or obtain diesel additive for winter use and add as directed.

Avoid the ether since you have a new rebuilt engine and do not use ether with preheater.

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J Schwiebert

12-04-2006 15:35:37




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
Get yourself a good block heater and don't run too far from the dipstick heater idea. Warm coolant + warm oil = easier starts plus much less operator frustration. J.



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Jeff Oliver

12-04-2006 15:31:59




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
get a dipstick heater or one of the water heaters mentioned below. They also make one that attached to the oilpan with magnets that will work. How cold is it there? my 1800 will start down to 15 I know with the manifold heater. I would try it before buying alot of things,If it doesn't start after a few tries go ahead and get one of the heaters.



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Josh in Pa

12-04-2006 14:51:28




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 Re: Starting a Diesel in Winter in reply to Matt Kane, 12-04-2006 13:47:41  
There are a few aftermarket options for heating the engine up. One is a heater that fits in the lower radiator hose, and the other is a heated dipstick. There are others too I believe. Make sure you have good heavy battery cables, with clean connections. Good cables can really make a difference. Josh



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