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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Cold weather starting with glow plugs

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Bill C

12-02-2004 19:40:42




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Hi, I have had a lot of experience starting non glow plug tractors with either, but glow plug tractors say not to use it.Using the glow plugs doesn't seem to work that great in cold whether. What do I need to do to start a glow plug tractor in cold weather? Bill




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SMR

12-08-2005 12:49:54




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
I work at a Case-New Holland dealship and regularly use equiptment in cold weather.

1) Any type of coolant heater, any at all is better than ether or glow plugs.

2) Glow plugs are good on most down to about -10. It was -22 here last night ;)

3) Ether is good, in measured quantity. No more than 2 seconds of ether at a time, per start. In such small quantity it does it's job, and no more.

You have to understand what ether, or starting fluid is for. It is used to raise the combustion chambers temperature to assist in the cold weather starting of ANY engine. Most notably diesels. A overdose for any engine of any size regarless of other add ons will result in engine damage.

The larger the engine the more people tend to add in one shot as opposed to a injection system that delivers a small quantity over a period of time. With cans the majority of the vapors are drawn into the FIRST drawing cylinder. Thus the damage.

A way to avoid this is to spray into the air stream wile cranking, so long as there is no one in the way of a run away machine. Or to spray a supplementary alternate into a air filter. I use brake cleaner (Isopropyl alcohol and Xyelene) to lightly dampen the inner air filter, then spray two or three shots (one second burst) onto the outer air filter. This prevents it from being drawn into the first cylinder. And allows seperate fuel to be used.

I just had to start a skid steer that has glow plugs, with ether and brake cleaner. After people screwing around burning up the starter and glow plugs for hours.

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Randy SE-MN.

12-04-2004 08:33:59




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
I was a U-Haul Dealer for almost 14 years before I had to tell the Bums to "hit the road", and being in minnesota, getting one of those beasts going in the winter was never a gaurantee. U-Haul always preached to me never to use staring fluid...but you must keep a bottle or two on your shelf...go figure. I had the best luck, if the truck was well maintained, to simply cycle the glo-plugs no less than 3 times, and usually it started.

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Nate88

12-03-2004 19:52:05




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
The overall consensus here seems to be against the use of ether. And I would have to agree. I do not like to use ether because once you start using it the engine becomes dependant on it. An engine with good glow plugs or some other intake heater should never use ether. I have never had any problems using ether. But there can always be a first. Just like everything else in life, you have to use it sparingly and correctly. It doesn't take a whole can to start an engine. Just a little sniff while the engine is cranking over will do the trick. Becasue of new technology in combustion chambers and fuel injectors, new engines do a much better job of starting in cold environments.

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JWhite

12-03-2004 17:11:45




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
Ive started diesel company vehicles at work by turning the key forward with out engagine the starter, let it set for 15 seconds, then turn off. After 5 or 10 seconds redo the process. On the third time after letting it set 10 seconds the starter engages and the engine starts up.



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Rod F.

12-03-2004 13:22:52




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
The problem with ether and glow plugs is that the glow plugs set the ether off before there is enough heat from compression. Thus, there can be an explosion on the compression stroke, bent rods, broken rings, dislodged pre chambers and probably worse. I'm not a fan of ether, even if the glow plugs are disconnected. Keep the plugs working, and if necessary, install a block heater. That will save time and money in the end. If ether is the only option for remote starts, get an ether injection system and disconnect the glow plugs. This will provide a metered shot of ether that is far less likely to cause damage than a big shot from a can. HTH.

Rod

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mike brown

12-03-2004 13:22:40




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
I have a diesel VW Jetta that has glow plugs. Recently changed them at 75k miles. Turn key to on when gp icon on the dash goes out start the car. If it is so cold it doesn't start, cycle the plugs again. I plow snow with a JD 4230. I have a multiple outlet extension cord pluged into a timer and plug in the block heater, battery charger and dip stick heater. I set the timer to go on an hour or so before I get up and before I leave work. Our drive way is down hill to the road so getting out is usually doable. To get back in at night means parking down the road, firing up the tractor and plowing, sometimes every night.

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farmweld

12-03-2004 12:37:05




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
dont use any starting fluid. period. we tried it on the farm with a john deere utitlity tractor, brand new. it blew the head off, and ruined the studs thad bolt it on. best advice: get a block heater, save you on batteries, and premature engine wear due to cranking longer than engine is desiged for.
farmweld



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Bryan in iowa

12-03-2004 09:32:05




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
I have had good luck with WD40 instead of ether .It has lubricating qualities,,and is not as volitale has ether .



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kraigWY

12-03-2004 09:14:40




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
I have two diesel trucks with glow plugs and a 4020 without. I refuse to use ether on any. However the JD is set up for ether I wont use it. I will plug it it to warm it up and never had any problems. Its a new engine and I dont want to screw it up. In my trucks I check the glow plugs and GP relay and replace as needed, sometimes I may plug them in, I hardly ever have starting problems with my diesels and it gets way below zero here, but NO ETHER. I can't believe ether explodeing in a diesel can be good for it.

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JHesler

12-03-2004 06:48:26




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
The ignition heat is a function compression. You need two things to start a diesel without sleepy gas; good compression and fast cranking speed.



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Willy-N

12-03-2004 06:39:37




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
Save your engine and plug it in for a hour or so befor starting. Get a timer that turns on the block heater ahead of time and you will save money and wear and tear on your engine at the same time. Mark H.



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Allan in NE

12-03-2004 04:31:16




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
Hi Bill,

Diesels use heat as their ignition, as you already know and just don't do well starting in cold weather. Plug 'er in.

Allan



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I Like Case

12-03-2004 04:29:23




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
If you want to prolong the life of any engine the best thing you can do is plug it in and warm it up before starting.

If at all possible avoid using starting fluid with the glow plugs. I know someone is going to say they do it all the time with no problems. Well they just haven't had a problem YET. And the problems it can cause are not only costly but dangerous.

Check out the glow plugs with a test light. It is a simple check. Clip the test light to the positive battery terminal and touch the other end to the center of the glow plug-not to the outside. If it lights the glow plug should be good.

If everything is in good working order, cold weather starts shouldn't be a problem.

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WI Craig

01-20-2005 14:18:14




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to I Like Case, 12-03-2004 04:29:23  
I saw your comments in the archieves about glow plugs. Am new to diesels, and wouldn't know a glow plug from a pig in a poke. Just bought a bobcat skidloader. It dosen't appear that the glow plug is working. I turn the key couterclockwise for 45sec to a minute according to instructions, temps in the teens, no go. Really don't want to take to the dealer $$$. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Craig from Wis.

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Allan in NE

12-03-2004 04:34:23




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to I Like Case, 12-03-2004 04:29:23  
Mornin',

I agree. I even hate to start the direct injected ones with either and pluggin the tractor in just saves wear and tear on the thing, in my estimation.

Allan



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old

12-02-2004 20:58:26




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
You sort of have a choice don't use the glow plugs and use starting fluid or go with the plaus and no fluid



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Leland

12-02-2004 20:40:42




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
Using glo plugs and starting fluid has been kpwn to blow a head or 2 off motors, either will detnoate while piston is still coming up and this is not good. Add a block heater and keep her plugged in also synthenic oil will help also.



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Sid

12-02-2004 20:23:05




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 Re: Cold weather starting with glow plugs in reply to Bill C, 12-02-2004 19:40:42  
Have you checked them to see if they are good. If I remember you can check them with a continuity tester. Have you considered an in block engine heater. I have had trouble with starting at forty degrees when a couple of glow pllugs had gone bad. My tracor I use now does not have glow plugs but the block heater works great for me. Course winters here (SWMO) ain"t like up north either.



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