Diesel cold weather starting problems

Kevmag52

Kevmag52

0
Hi guys, I've got a 72 Commer with the 1800 Perkins Diesel engine which started on the second turn all through the warm weather but as soon as its started to get cold it won't start. It's turning over with the complementary smoke but no start up. I've spoke to many people about this some say waxy build up, some some say they just don't like the cold but surely there has to be a rational and fixable solution, otherwise I've got a rather good looking driveway ornament for six months of the year, please any help or advise would be appreciated as I would like to use her a little more often.
 
There was a long thread on here some time ago about starting issues with the perk engine. Cant for the life of me remember who it was but there was some sort of pre heat arangement in the intake manifold that can be problematic. Damn wish i could remember. Will post it when i do :)

I just need a good rootes...
 
Not sure what happens over there with diesel supplied over the seasons, but I know here in the Alpine areas and Snowy Mountains the fuel companies supply different anti waxing deisel for the winter. I made the mistake of filling up my diesel Land Rover with Normal diesel then heading to the mountains and struggled getting her started. The following week when I was back down there I ran the tank to almost empty and filled up in the mountains, the difference was significant. Would I be correct in assuming you have a tank of full of diesel that you bought in summer?

If all else fails, here's a suggestion The most aptly named automotive product ever created.

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It was diesel I bought in the summer but not sure we have options over here with anti waxing unless the petrol/ gas stations add it themselves. I've been warned about useing easy start as it becomes reliant and your right it has a pre start manifold with a single glow plug looking device which I've had checked and works. I wasn't sure if it could be updated or upgraded even, thanks for the input so far I was feeling a bit lost. #128512;
 
I've heard of people putting a dash of petrol into the diesel to thin it down during cold weather. Never owned an oil burner so haven't tried it myself.

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We have winter diesel over here too ;)

Cranking speed is one reason for poor starting, make sure you have a very powerful battery and good heavy leads.

Adding another heater plug in the manifold will help too.

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"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
Founder of the 6 speed club
 
I've found the anti waxing additive on good old eBay so I'm going for that option along with a new heavy duty battery, I'll let u know how I get on thanks for all the imput it's nice to know your not on your own with these things #128515;
 
I've had a few vhicles with Perkins and the cold start device in the inlet manifold.

The way it's supposed to work is:-

During normal running, the small reservoir above the inlet manifold fills up with diesel from the back leakage tubes connected to the tops of the injectors. The cold start device contains a heater coil, a bimetal strip, and a little valve. When the device gets 12V, the coil heats up and bends the bimetal strip. This opens the little valve, and lets diesel drip onto the hot coil. After ten seconds the coil is hot enough to ignite the diesel. Then the engine is cranked, and this sucks the burning mixture (by now a right little bonfire) into the cylinders, igniting the normal injected diesel.

This system is a bit agricultural, but seems to work pretty well.

You could do the following checks:-

Check that you get 12V on the device when the key is at "cold Start".

Check there is fuel in the reservoir.

Pull off the air duct from the inlet manifold. Turn the key to "cold start". After ten seconds the fuel should ignite to a good flame, not just fizzle and smoke.

Then crank the engine. The flame should swell and you'll see it get sucked into the engine, and it should start.

Some problems that can occur:-

The reservoir leaks, or doesn't fill up with fuel. Or has been standing for a long time.

The heater coil can become bent, so it obstructs the bimetal strip, or doesn't heat up properly. It should get red hot.

You try to start the engine too soon. The air rushing past will cool the coil, so the diesel won't ignite.


I always have a spare cold start device handy.

Hope this helps.

Colin


Commer PB Jennings
 
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