Too Fu#@in Cold and She won't start!!! :(

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:19 am

Hey folks,

Did I mention that I HATE winter.... Well it's really not even winter yet (officially) But here in Peterborough Ontario it went down to minus Fu#k this over last night and today.

I have a magnetic block heater thats on a timer to come on a few hours before I go to start it in the morning. I suppose I should have left it plugged in all night... It hardly cranked over when I first tried to get it going. I also hit the glow plugs several times before attempting to start it but no dealieo..

Anyway I ran the batteries down and then put a charger on to bring them back up. I've managed to get it cranking not too bad now now but she still won't fire... Is it possible that I flodded the engine??

The irony of this is that I was going up to my mechanics to have him do an oil change with synthetic oil so that it wold be easier to start:( Ha Ha!!!!

I'm trying to stay positive. After all, it is the holiday season. And the advice, as always, is welcomed and appreciated.

Cheers, Phil

konadog · Post by **konadog** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:28 am

I'd suggest getting a real in-the-block block heater installed while you're getting that thinner oil put in. Good luck out there!

sub-arctic · Post by **sub-arctic** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 12:45 pm

When you are cranking, floor the throttle, and wait for the revs to start to come up. ease the throttle back when it catches, to around 1000 to 1200 rpm. and hold it there for a bit. if you have a throttle lock, after youve gotten it going set it around there. That will help.

and yes a proper block heater will do wonders. i only need to use extra throttle when it is below -40. Unless its been sitting for a couple hours not plugged in that is.

konadog · Post by **konadog** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 12:55 pm

Oh, and it's been said here before - It's best to cycle the glow plugs a couple of times then start cranking and don't stop until it's started up or died. Every time you stop any heat created dissipates and you're back to square one but with less battery power...

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 1:06 pm

Those magnetic heaters aren't that great. As others will say you need a true block heater. In a pinch the 'polar pad' is pretty decent and get damn hot. You can get a 250 watt from can tire.

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:59 am

Thanks folks,

I did get it going yesterday with the help of CAA.......

A good boost, holding it to the rug, and staying on the starter did the trick. Now hopefully this week I can actually get it to my mechanic to sort some of these things out:)

Feds · Post by **Feds** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 8:52 pm

Get on Ebay and order yourself some glow plugs. 2 of mine bit the big one so I'm down to my spares until the replacements arrive.

robbieg · Post by **robbieg** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 7:57 am

Feds wrote:Get on Ebay and order yourself some glow plugs. 2 of mine bit the big one so I'm down to my spares until the replacements arrive.

Seconded. I live in Manitoba (Winterpeg, even)... and I hardly have to plug in.
New glow plugs, make sure the bus bar works (the thing that connects them). I got a new temperature switch to boot, as I was already making an order for the plugs.

My pajero has the bonus of having 2 batteries, but, the plugs are what changed my truck from "can't start in -10" to "-40, meh".

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:06 am

Hey, I'm also having internet issues... :(

But I'm back now:)

Anyway, I had Right Drive in Toronto replace the Glow Plugs last September with a bunch of other stuff. I believe they're the "Green Top" ones..?.. At any rate, I was assuming that these would still be ok seing as they're only a little over a year old... I went to Right Drive in Toronto after reading dizzying posts on here about the right and wrong plugs for the L300 Van. I figured they know what to use ect...

At any rate, I put some Synthetic Oil in it yesterday and left it plugged in all night. It was a fair bit easier to start this morning. And I actually helped a neighbour (who couldn't get her Honda to start), get to work this morning. That made me feel a bit better better.

Thank's for the continued input. I'm happy to get new plugs if it already needs them or anything else I need to keep enjoying this van. I love the thing:)

Feds · Post by **Feds** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 11:36 am

Not sure of the intricacies of the L300, but I pulled my glowplugs last night and replaced in less than 1 hour, including cleaning the bus bar and making a supplementary wiring harness for it.

2 were black and sooty and dead, 2 looked brand new and lit off almost instantly.

philmeup1 · Post by **philmeup1** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 12:32 pm

Yeah, I'm guessing that, even though I replaced the glow plugs about a year ago, I may need to look at them and ensure they're all ok....

I'm now more worried about when it does start in this frikken cold, it's revving up way to high.... That's another thing I'm dealing with.... :( C'umon back summer!!!!

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