I have been meaning to put this before the experts for several years.

In the summer-time, I can get caught at the light, make my turn, and ease through the demolition-derby of the last half-a-mile to work, ease into my parking spot, and the pyrometer will already be below the 300 mark.

In winter-time, when temperatures are forty and lower, doing everything the same as I do in summer, the pyrometer will be at around 500 or so, and I have to let the engine idle quite a bit before it drops to 300.


Why is this so ??

 

Cool air is more dense so it has more oxygen in it and that is making the fire in the cylinders hotter maybe???

 

does crappy winter blend kerosene burn hotter?

 

ya i would think that the cold air effects the temp because its more dense, like Onemoparnut said.

i have been thinking that that is why i dont get as much smoke as before, because the air is denser when its cold.

 

yes blended or #1 fuel does burn hotter. Plus I think most of us have our heater, radio, wipers, and lights on more in the winter creating more electrical loads. I've heard if you turn everything off, it cools down faster.

 

Do you run some kind of cover on the grille blocking off air flow?

 

Only when it is 10* or below.

I have noticed this strange scientific phenomenon begins at around 40* and lower.

The theory about colder/denser air makes sense to me.

In my region, I doubt it is the fuel, as it remains the same.

Thanks for all the input thus far.