Diesel WD40 Start?

[Mr. Flibble]

That is what I thought - unlike ether it lubricates and ...

WD40 is not a lubricant, it's a cleaner.

When I was a cycle courier we had issues with crap off the road getting onto our chains and consequently derailing them. So we used WD40 on the chains several times in a day and that problem went away but every weekend we would get together to pull the bottom bracket and the sprocket set off to re-grease them as the WD40 would be doing it's job and cleaning everything, including the grease (good grease cutter). I don't doubt that WD40 would be good for cold starting a diesel, I just suggest that it not be considered as a lubricant.

Falco.

This is true - it is not a full lubricant, and it can get gunky. The main reason for this I believe is that a large proportion of it is kerosene like oils which evaporate fairly easily. The remainder is a small amount of heavier oil used for lubrication/water displacement purposes. But, it should not be considered a full-time lubricating oil. It will lubricate and coat while new, but much less so after the majority of the carrier evaporates.

[mrdueck]

That is what I thought - unlike ether it lubricates and ...

WD40 is not a lubricant, it's a cleaner.

When I was a cycle courier we had issues with crap off the road getting onto our chains and consequently derailing them. So we used WD40 on the chains several times in a day and that problem went away but every weekend we would get together to pull the bottom bracket and the sprocket set off to re-grease them as the WD40 would be doing it's job and cleaning everything, including the grease (good grease cutter). I don't doubt that WD40 would be good for cold starting a diesel, I just suggest that it not be considered as a lubricant.

Falco.

This is true - it is not a full lubricant, and it can get gunky. The main reason for this I believe is that a large proportion of it is kerosene like oils which evaporate fairly easily. The remainder is a small amount of heavier oil used for lubrication/water displacement purposes. But, it should not be considered a full-time lubricating oil. It will lubricate and coat while new, but much less so after the majority of the carrier evaporates.

x2 Mr. Flibble


My brother is a contractor and while building in a remote area and had no electricity(1980's before he had a generator), -35C + significant wind. He had an old Dodge van and always carried a coffee can with brickettes (sp?) with him. 1 hour before leaving he would light it up and come back later and started the van no issues. I plan to carry the same high tech supplies on my cross country trips once I get my L400.

[Mr. Flibble]

My brother is a contractor and while building in a remote area and had no electricity(1980's before he had a generator), -35C + significant wind. He had an old Dodge van and always carried a coffee can with brickettes (sp?) with him. 1 hour before leaving he would light it up and come back later and started the van no issues. I plan to carry the same high tech supplies on my cross country trips once I get my L400.

That is both brilliant and simple! I like it!

[FalcoColumbarius]

You are talking about "Charcoal Briquettes"? You still have to get them started. At least with a tiger torch you just need a Bic lighter, with briquettes you need some sort of fire starter.... diesel, birch bark, those white smelly things. Then what are you going to do with them once you have your wagon started? They burn for quite a while. Will you just leave them burning on the ground? What about other people milling about, or forest fire issues? You can't just leave them unattended ~ what if the wind picks up and blows the embers around? Even in sub zero temperatures can fires be started.

Falco.

[after oil]

once, after leaving WVO in the cylinders overnight in winter, i warmed the engine from below with a Coleman Catalytic heater like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-PerfecTem ... B0009PUQW8

i just put it on the ground under the oil pan and an hour later started no problem. granted it was not minus 40c

[Mr. Flibble]

You are talking about "Charcoal Briquettes"? You still have to get them started. At least with a tiger torch you just need a Bic lighter, with briquettes you need some sort of fire starter.... diesel, birch bark, those white smelly things. Then what are you going to do with them once you have your wagon started? They burn for quite a while. Will you just leave them burning on the ground? What about other people milling about, or forest fire issues? You can't just leave them unattended ~ what if the wind picks up and blows the embers around? Even in sub zero temperatures can fires be started.

Falco.

For Charcoal in a can you can just cover it and it goes out due to lack of oxygen. I do like that charcoal won't spill like gas. Of course, on most backcountry trips I have my Dragonfly stove with me which would work as well. The Charcoal in a can idea is just an emergency measure that is light and simple and I could keep it in my van with little trouble as an emergency measure.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Fair enough, the charcoal is light, mind you will need to keep it an a bin liner to avoid charcoal dust leaking out the corners of the bag and into your carpet, especially if you've opened it. Then you need to start it, which requires a fire starter, such as I have stated. But when you think about it ~ if you have been somewhere that long to allow the engine to get that cold then chances are ~ you already have a fire with hot embers. I would be more inclined to use the briquettes to create an even heat for cooking. Regarding covering the briquettes up to extinguish them ~ you really need to dig them over, just covering them with dirt could keep them warm. Many fires can spread underground, that is why it is important to pick one's fireplace wisely.

I like the idea of the Dragonfly stove, very practical and uses less space. I would still throw a tarp over the van to help keep the heat more effective, personally...

Falco.

[jessef]

Lots of talk about starting in -40 C.

I believe in the fire/heat from underneath with a tarp/cover over the engine/bay. It's worked for me up to -35 or so, granted it took quite a few attempts to start.

There is, of course, another option .....

You might want to check out these specialty L400's that start in -40 with no problems.

http://www.delica.ca/forum/1995-spacege ... -9260.html

No problem of starting our stock delicas in cold weather ( even -40 degree ), have been proved and guaranteed.

[madmazda]

it's minus 41 this morning and my l400 turns over but won't fire at all I think i should get this van as it'll start in this COLD weather.... lol

[White Mule]

Yes -41 this morning.

First try with the remote starter, fired up the Mule.

Love the smell of diesel in the morning...smells like....Victory!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Does the Mule have the Winter Package?

[White Mule]

Not really sure Falco.

My guess would be yes.

[madmazda]

my van turned over fine but no fire ... new battery and a bit more help from a boost pack tons of cranking and the ole girl came to life.... I'm thinking it might be the dura lube fuel injector cleaner and pump seal liquid that has gunked it up. when it's warm fires up no probs....added some anti diesel gel so lets hope that sorts it out I'll drive around later to get things running through hope it helps tomorrow morning as I need to work lol

[FalcoColumbarius]

Not really sure Falco.

My guess would be yes.

Little orange rectangular sticker, typically in the bottom left of the rear windscreen and two batteries would be an indicator of a Winter package.

[mrdueck]

Fair enough, the charcoal is light, mind you will need to keep it an a bin liner to avoid charcoal dust leaking out the corners of the bag and into your carpet, especially if you've opened it. Then you need to start it, which requires a fire starter, such as I have stated. But when you think about it ~ if you have been somewhere that long to allow the engine to get that cold then chances are ~ you already have a fire with hot embers. I would be more inclined to use the briquettes to create an even heat for cooking. Regarding covering the briquettes up to extinguish them ~ you really need to dig them over, just covering them with dirt could keep them warm. Many fires can spread underground, that is why it is important to pick one's fireplace wisely.

I like the idea of the Dragonfly stove, very practical and uses less space. I would still throw a tarp over the van to help keep the heat more effective, personally...

Falco.

Here in MB when it is that cold there is a 99% chance there is snow on the ground, and alot of it. Spreading the briquettes out and having them melt snow=water=non flamible briquettes in about a couple minutes. One could even put them back in the can or fill the can while briquettes are hot with snow until it is full of water. You are right though about getting them going, you would need to carry some sort of starting fuel and a spark to get it going.