Engine start question...

chessie4905 · October 21, 2014, 05:28:49 AM

2-3 hours of block heater use is best if you have electricity. Saves wear in engine in long run and wasted fuel fog.

Geom · October 21, 2014, 07:48:43 AM

Quote from: TomC on October 21, 2014, 05:19:58 AM
When cold starting, everytime you stop to let the starter rest, it is extremely hard for the starter to get the engine turning again compared to letting the starter lope the engine over-it takes very little power to keep the engine turning over compared to stopping it several times. But, on the other hand, continuous starter isn't good either because it doesn't give the compression heat time to soak in. I have found the best is 10 seconds crank, 10 seconds off, etc. Good Luck, TomC

Thanks Tom! That's great info. It's always been a bit of a guessing game, to me, as to how long to try and how long to wait between tries (to avoid overloading the starter). I'll keep this in mind on future starts.

Jim Eh. · October 21, 2014, 03:09:01 PM

Too much ether from a hand held spray can is not very good either

I have found a circulating heater works better than a standard block heater. It spreads the heat over a much greater area if installed correctly.

Geom · October 21, 2014, 03:14:46 PM

^^^ouch! That looks expensive, lol!
Mine doesn't have a spot for handheld ether to be injected in ,nor do I really want to do that. It does, however, have a zerostart metered starting fluid system that is part ether and part heptane that doles out a premeasured amount.

But I definitely want a block heater. Maybe I'll get one for Gladys for Christmas, lol!

digesterman · October 21, 2014, 03:37:35 PM

I have the ether start that is factory installed but have never used it, it looks like the original can up by the oil reserve tank that came with the bus.

I have a question tho, has anyone ever heard of one of these units sticking and just dumping the entire can in the engine? Or do they operate in such a way that would be impossible? Never had one apart or looked at one closely so I am in the dark here.

Thanks

eagle19952 · October 21, 2014, 03:42:29 PM

what diesel engine did that come from....?

Quote from: krank on October 21, 2014, 03:09:01 PM
Too much ether from a hand held spray can is not very good either

Jim Eh. · October 21, 2014, 08:22:57 PM

That particlar one I have no idea but the one hanging in the maintenance office of one of my customers was MUCH heavier out of a 425 C block cat (if memory serves me correctly).

luvrbus · October 21, 2014, 08:48:16 PM

looks like a 3208 Cat to me

eagle19952 · October 21, 2014, 09:38:38 PM

i thought Ford built that....

Quote from: luvrbus on October 21, 2014, 08:48:16 PM
looks like a 3208 Cat to me

bevans6 · October 22, 2014, 05:19:42 AM

It looks hydraulic locked, not detonated. I thought the issue with ether was detonation burning the pistons and breaking the rings. That's what happened the time I destroyed a generator motor I was mad at.

Brian

luvrbus · October 22, 2014, 07:01:26 AM

You are probably right Brian I saw a lot of those in the few 3208 I owned that blew head gaskets they would always bend the rod

RoyJ · October 22, 2014, 04:48:03 PM

For those without a block heater, have you ever tried the old farmer's trick of putting a propane burner or bed of charcoal under the engine for say, 1/2 an hour before starting?

I figure it'll work better than a block heater, as it gets the oil nice and warm.

chessie4905 · October 22, 2014, 05:09:06 PM

Just use a block heater. They aren't that expensive . It'll warm the oil coating the internal parts. The stiff oil in the pan doesn't cause most of the drag. Charcoal and lighter fluid or propane isn't free. My experience is that charcoal takes 1/2 hour to get up to temp. If you don't have electricity, fire up the generator. If you don't have a generator, and it is a dire emergency,fire away.

lostagain · October 22, 2014, 05:10:44 PM

A Webasto or similar diesel boiler works great to preheat the engine. An hour at -30 and it starts like on the first of July.

JC

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Scott & Heather · October 22, 2014, 05:35:53 PM

It's been getting down to 29 and 30 degrees F here in Michigan. Had frost three times already. Tonight should get down to 34 or less so I plugged in my block heater and will show you on video how she starts at nearly freezing with a block heater overnight. Then I'll pull the heater and the next morning will make a video of the bus starting without the aid of the heater. You'll hear how mine lopes before finally getting its act together. Should make you feel better.

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