Cold weather starting...

[Mark_88]

Just curious about the best cold weather starting method...

My truck usually starts first crack when warm...but cold starting has been a bit more challenging...no choke...and no block heater...didn't use anything when I parked it inside...but that's not an option right now...

You can pick more than one of the options...I didn't put park inside on this...

 

[bobbywalter]

block heater

 

[bobbywalter]

Florida sucks for us snowflakes

 

[mn_smokeater]

Block heater or a lower rad hose heater

 

[Ruffinit]

Agreed, the lower rad hose heater works fairly well as does a heater blanket. I've found with my '84 BII that pre-emptive maintenance works better though. I make double sure that the automatic choke is working well in the fall before it's needed in the winter. Preaching to the choir I'm sure, but I have seen so many carb/chokes mis-adjusted it boggles the mind. My BII has started right up in -26 degree temps and it sits outside facing the NW winds.

Haven't had any problems with the injected engines though and you can pretty well neglect them.

 

[CHKNFKR]

Block heaters are great, if it gets super cold in your neck of the woods there are also oil pan heaters (both engine and trans), battery blankets, fuel line and tank heaters. Some of the fancier block heaters i've seen even have a bypass pump that installs on the loop to your heater core and circulates the warm coolant rather than letting it sit.

It all depends on how cold it gets wherever you are, how comfortable you want to be when you hop in and turn the key, and how much coin you are willing to spend.

 

[509lifted]

i have to use a battery charger i plug it in every night and shut the hood and then it starts up in the morning first try. if i dont use a charger i turn it over once and the battery dies

 

[CHKNFKR]

i have to use a battery charger i plug it in every night and shut the hood and then it starts up in the morning first try. if i dont use a charger i turn it over once and the battery dies

Sounds like you have more of a crappy battery problem than a cold starting problem...

 

[Andy D]

Judging by its warm weather starting, I'll be fine . Got a new battery . All I do for the BMWs is to go to 10w40. I had a few Jeeps with block heaters, they leaked over time, so if you go that route, beware.

 

[509lifted]

chk it is a brand new battery it is only 2 months old got it cheacks and it was good so its not the battery.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

What kind of battery? I never have a problem cranking my truck over. Even in the deep of winter with negative temps. It DOES sound like a battery problem.

 

[509lifted]

its a napa battery and the battery is fine i have had it tested an it says it is fine when i hook my charger up it says 12.5-13 volts

 

[daniel3507]

My 930CCA battery has been helping me. Block heaters are the way to go though.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Does it read 12.5-13 volts when cold?

 

[Doofy]

I run Mobile 1 0-30W in the winter. I seldom need to use the block heater. I mounted a NAPA trickle charger, under the hood and plug it in when the temps are below zero and I know I won't be going anywhere for several days. Parasitic battery drain is a big problem in the North Country.