Seafoam hot soak on my 6v92 during fuel filter change, harder cold starting.

[neoneddy]

Planning to do my fall / winter maintenance  including a fuel filter change.  I'm thinking about doing what this video recommends https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=544E_X2oUgM   Only thing is, mine is a 6v92 DD, not a modern 4 stroke.

I've had some suspicions, that I might have a less than optimal injector or two, maybe a stuck piston ring, not sure.  The engine is a little harder to start in the winter this year than last year, it usually starts firing 2-3 cylinders, then if I give it throttle another few and within 5-10 seconds all of them are lit (block temp around 30-40f)

This was 18 months ago or so, actually right after I brought it home for the first time, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saUhVEeB8oA

Here was a year later when Scott Crosby was over , ambient temp was in the 50s , engine was maybe cooler. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_zxFvQgCwg

Here is this afternoon (just now) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSjIYVeF0Ww Like I say in the video, I expected it to light off sooner.  To me it doesn't even feel like  the starter is struggling that much, like maybe low compression.   But my battery bank is pretty full, solar right now has it around 28v.     Once it lights on all cylinders the smoke clears up mostly, and then within 30-60 seconds of running, it's 100% clear.   I even got almost 7 MPG on my last trip, can't complain on power and efficiency.

[Geoff]

If it cold starts on only a few clyinders, but clears up in a minute or so with no smoke and all clyinders firing it is fine.

I recommend a block heater or Webasto to preheat the engine to avoid the above and have a longer engine life.

[neoneddy]

@geoff did you watch the videos from last year vs this year? My DD shop up here said you can tell a lot about the engine when it cold starts.

I'm just thinking something is different.

[Geoff]

I watched all three videos.  A brand new engine could act like your third video in 40f temperatures.  One thing you should be doing is pushing the throttle lever midway while cranking the cold engine at the rear.  It will make a big difference.  But with preheating the engine it will start like it's already warmed up, which it is.

[luvrbus]

It starts fine like Geoff said give it throttle to get away from the starting aid adjustment and it would have taken off with the second spin

[neoneddy]

Thanks! anyone who has followed my post history knows I've got anxiety about this engine. I've got 18 months of history with it, so it's all I know. I see videos of 6v92 fore right up in the 30's as well as how mine used to, so I ask myself why?

Which I guess gets at the meat and potatoes of my post, has anyone done a seafoam hot soak? I'm more concerned with it hurting something. I don't think it can, but I want to be sure.

[buswarrior]

How much has this bus been DRIVEN lately?

Nothing works right if it doesn't get DRIVEN!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[neoneddy]

Put 277 miles on it last weekend.

Over the summer a good 3000-4000 miles.

[luvrbus]

Fuel makes a big difference you probably had winter blend last year

[neoneddy]

Yeah, I did fill up a few times late in the season, and did a run in march that turned over most of the tank.