This AM was the lowest temp our area has seen this year, 17F so left the CTD unplugged over night to see how well it fires up, I think it does quite good for a very short single pre heat cycle running Oregon required B5 Fuel. Western oregon rarley gets into the lower 20's or teens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r35ID...ature=youtu.be

Edit, looks like the grid heater is on even after the wait to start goes out with the volt guage pegging 8 volts?

 

Yeah, they'll start under 0°F without the block heater but it couldn't be good for the engine.
Better to plug in.
Sounds like your batteries might be getting a little weak.

 

That didn't sound very good................weak batteries or try some thinner oil in the winter (5W-40). I've never had good luck running bio-anything in the cold, maybe find a good additive to help with starting/gelling issues. My old truck smokes about 10 times worse than yours when it's that cold; kind of embarrasing at the airport parking lot.

 

Did you happen to give her a bit of throttle? Mine fires right off but you need to give it about 1/8-1/4 throttle.

Other than that, it seemed to me to be spinning over plenty fast.

 

I used 1/4 to get it runnin smooth then let off to 1/16th to hold it around 800rpm- I think I may have a electrial draw somewhere as I have 2 Optima Group 34's bought new in August in it and the cables were tested by me starting the truck with just one battery hooked up at a time, worked great in august. The startor may be on its last legs though, I did the Larry B's contact kit last spring but im sure the motor part isnt up to snuff.
Oil is 15w40 with 2 quarts of lucas in it so its pretty thick, but that is because our average low is 45F this time of year so this is rare- even our ski resorts average low temp is not this low!

 

Sounds like you have trapped air somewhere in your fuel system. It shouldn't start nearly that rough. Might look at having your injectors properly cleaned to help with the smoke. Sounds like it spins over fast enough.

 

It shouldn't chug that much at -8C...I started my truck today(not plugged in) at -10C,one cycle and no chugging ...

Maybe losing a little bit of prime...??

But if it runs good...Why fix something that's not broken....

 

It mite be looseing some prime? But woudnt it also start rough when its warmer? This is how it normally starts in 45-50F weather we have here in the winter, granted the block is still luke warm from being driven 4 hours eariler in the day but its exactly how it starts in more mild weather:

http://youtu.be/2AmBAseFn78

 

That starts nice...No prime problem there... ...It would chug plugged in or not..if it was losing prime...

 

i have started both of mine at 17f with out fuel or block heater on a bet. had to start both the second time but by golly i won the bet.

 

I'm with Tate, I just started mine at 10 F. this AM, and she didn't roll over but about 4 times before she fired from stone cold, no plug in, no nothing.

Yea, I gave her some throttle, and had to hold a bit for a few min. to keep her from dying, but she fired immediately.

That almost sounded like it was getting fuel intermittently.

Wish I was savvy enough to post Youtube, I would start her for you.

 

Are you sure your grid heaters are working? Reason I ask is I notice your voltmeter needle didn't seem to dip to the left very much at all. When it dips to the left after startup, it indicates the alternator is really working hard, trying to supply the grid heaters with 12V.

 

little warmer this am but still cold (for here) at 25F, gave er another try and it started like it always does! Looks like the grid's are cycleing ok.

http://youtu.be/tKEBE1yXnbY

 

Second video does look like the grid heaters are cycling on and off, but take a look at your first video again. I don't see that they are cycling in the first video, but I could be wrong.

 

Nope, you are dead on, first video the grid heaters never engaged, at least after start.

That's why I put the LEDs on mine in Brownie, I knew exactly when each was firing.......... I haven't ever had a problem with Greenie not firing the GH's, but if I do, I would put the LED's on it as well.

joem, I would bet anything that's why it was tough starting.