Cold Weather Delica Owners

[jymz]

Pad heater

http://www.padheaters.com/



Mag one looks like this. Had an email from a guy looking for one. Ukranian Tire has them.

[Erebus]

so thats why I cant find a glow plug light on the dash. I have to wait to hear the clicks. LOL

Waiting for the light on the dash is a way to vastly improve your fuel consumption -- since there isn't one, you'll never run the engine and burn fuel! (sorry, couldn't resist)

[JMK]

The lack of that dash light could cause a problem for the installation of the remote start systems, as the install manual says it waits for the glow plug light to go out before it starts in Diesel mode. Guess I'll know soon.

[Green1]

The lack of that dash light could cause a problem for the installation of the remote start systems, as the install manual says it waits for the glow plug light to go out before it starts in Diesel mode. Guess I'll know soon.

Don't know about your specific remote starter, but the one installed on mine (an "arctic start" unit) doesn't wait for a light, instead it's a simple timer, it turns to glow, waits a set time, and then starts. no light required, generally works quite well, though at some point I think I need to shorten the timer.

[JMK]

Thanks, I'll know better once I've done the install. At some point it would be a good thread topic to compare the various systems that are available and see which one is best suited for the Deli.

[marsgal42]

I set a new cold starting record this morning. After scraping the ice off Gumdrop's windows I noted that the interior and exterior temperatures both read 0 (don't laugh too hard...). Cycle the glow plugs, hit the starter, hold the revs with the hand throttle, off I went. No problem. The cold weather package (including dual batteries and an even heftier starter than usual) really does work.

After 5 minutes on the road I had to start cutting back on the heater. By the time I got to work the outside temperature still read 0, but the inside was a pleasant 17.

Winter? Bring it on!

...laura

[knight]

We are in the middle of a cold snap (for this area) its been a steady -10 for the last three days. Its been a bit of a battle getting the Deli started. I was told that the dual batteries means that I have the cold weather package. Supprised that the cold weather package doesnt have beefed up glow plugs, or a longer glow time. The batteries sure come in handy with repeated crankings.

Those of you with remote starters, how do you get it to give the engine more fuel (like flooring it) and increase the revs till it steadys out?

[coaxial]

If I remember my childhood properly (-50 minnesota/ontario winters) a good trick to stat a diesel is to just glow plug it multiple times. Turn key from off to run, click.. click.. then back to off and then run again, two more clicks, twice as much heating :) if you have a turbo timer make sure it is turned off for this or turning to "off" won't do much.

If you are somewhere with real winters then you are into a realm of block heaters, electric blankets, hot coolant, and starting fluid (aerosol ether!) :)

[jymz]

The deli seems to auto glow like a madman at startup. Did a -15c today. It wouldnt start by just turning the key. I had to mat the gas pedal halfway and then it caught and 40 seconds later I was on my way. I'm hoping my coming pad heater and change to synth will help me out during -30c.

But it deff kicks the glow circuit on and off a bunch during my startup. The old trick for winnipeg was to glow it twice.

On that note, what about one of those electric hot air makers that some of the large diesels use to start? Retro fit?

[jymz]

I put on a 250w stick on heating pad. -36C startup no problem with the pedal to the floor. Part # ALT csa512 I paid $150. The 250w version fits the oilpan if afixed slightly askew to square. Company that makes it as "Altran" or "Altram" I think.

[Green1]

The batteries sure come in handy with repeated crankings.

don't crank multiple times, your best bet is to run the glow plugs a few times (3-4) and then just go for it, hold the starter until it's either running, or the battery won't turn it any more. every time you stop and re-start you're loosing most of the "progress" you've made.

[JMK]

On the topic of batteries, anyone have an opinion on whether the spiral cell batteries are worth the extra money? One mechanic I know says not, however, they do apparently take a charge way faster, so that means if you're doing a trailhead start and have to put the generator on the battery the spiral cell would be better. I'm not too worried about the big advantage of it not pouring acid all over me when I roll my vehicle. I still don't have my Chamonix but I understand they have 2 batteries, and also the batteries are probably not in good shape when they arrive, so I've already grabbed one spiral cell at Wal Mart when they were on rollback price in anticipation of that.

[Green1]

On the topic of batteries, anyone have an opinion on whether the spiral cell batteries are worth the extra money?

almost impossible to say... the spiral cell batteries are better in almost every way, but they are also more expensive... having had no issues with my current batteries, even when leaving all sorts of power hungry accessories on for long times without the engine running... it's hard to justify "better", but at the same time, I think that when my current ones wear out, I might consider it... really hard to say (btw, the batteries I have in there right now are the ones that came with it from Japan, and they've been nothing short of amazing so far)

[JMK]

Hmmm, as I have not touched the spiral cell yet, perhaps I should take it back and pocket the $149.00 to be spent somewhere else. And as you say, there's every chance the batteries that come with it will still be in good shape like the rest of the vehicle, and I will be carrying my Honda generator with me anyway.

Thanks for that.

[Erebus]

As with Green1's, the batteries that came with my Delica have been amazing. They look new. And in Sept I didn't quite close the sliding door, so the fluorescent dome light, step light, and rear dome light stayed on from 4 pm until 10 am the next morning. I turned them off, waited 10 minutes to let the batteries recover, and the Deli started! I then put the charger on it to charge them up. But still 18 hours of dome light is not something to complain about!

So not all the Delicas come with dead batteries.