Cold Weather Delica Owners

[EricN]

I just went to Costco and bought a 900cca (1000amps and 32f) battery for $80, spins the truck over like the timing belt broke and there is no compression. I was going to spend the $130 for the red top Optima but they were only 720cca and $50 more. Very satisfied with my choice.

[kingoku]

i just purchased a mitsubishi L300 1984 model and the battery has gone flat before i even get to drive it, could someone please tell me where to find the location of the battery so i can take it out and recharge it.

regards

chris

[Green1]

1984? well... that's a bit older than anything most of us have had any experience with, and the vehicles have changed significantly since then, so all I can really do is give you where it is on the newer (1989 and newer) Delica L300, the engine compartment can be accessed under the passenger seat, and the batteries are quite visible at the back of that compartment at the left side of the vehicle. Can't say if it's the same in 1984 though

[flooperer]

BRRRR! -27, I stuck on a an oil pan heater, squeezed in another battery, and after some quality cranking, she fires up and goes. The second battery is a must though, it takes quite a bit of cranking even when the heating pad's been on for a while, I hope it's enough if I need to start with no plug in at this temp.

Has anyone tried this in -35 or better?

Matt
Prince George

[docsavage]

If started mine at -37 but it definitely required additional heat input - oil pan heat. little electric heater blowing over engine, both batteries and a booster. Once it was warmed up starting up again after a couple hours was possible, but any longer it was getting sketchy. Wouldn't want it unplugged all day at that temperature.

James

[jymz]

Ive pulled multiple -30 starts with one battery and a 250w pad heater. I think someone posted that you have to keep cranking or you lose some of the progress. Thats very true. The only time I had a real problem I just cranked it for about 10 seconds stopped and repeated three times. Went inside to warm up and let the engine distribute what little heat it just made. Back out 2 mins later and it cranked right up.

When I begin the starting procedure, there is no combustion for many revolutions. I think the key is the revs, at about 700 rpm I get 2 or 3 cyls to fire and keep it right to the floor and it builds to 1500 in about 10-20 seconds. I bet that cold weather starter likes this long crank more than mine does :D

[Elsifer]

Pretty much the best diesel engine heater/pre-heater I've come across while working in Northern AB is an Espar heater. http://www.espar.com/html/applications/automotive.html

Or one like it.

Pad/magnetic heaters are sketchy. If the heater turns on and its on the oil pan, you could coke the oil, especially if the oil is cold. Or so I've been told.

Or, make sure your glow plugs work, the solenoid works, you're running lighter grade oil, and you've put conditioner in your diesel tank. It could be -20C outside, and everything works great, the motor turns over, but thats useless if your fuel has turned to gel.