Right peeps, I know i havent got a LR yet but i was taught my engine knowledge on diesel marine engines so know how a fuel rail and a helical works.
My Rant / Advice is about peeps who complain there Die's ( some of this will work for petrols) dont start up easily in winter . This is due to lack of knowledge or ignorance. So here are some tips
OILS-
Make sure you engine oil covers your local temps, OK parts of the UK did get hit bad this year but you should know what you normally go down to and if you think its going to be colder chos a lower temp oil.
Gone are the days of having to do two or three oil changes a year, Not cause your oil was dirty but due to its working temps. If you look at oils now they generally have two number 10/30 5/20 5/50 . If you look on the charts it will say what they work in so a 20grade can only go as low as -5 how ever a 0 or 5 can go as low as -25 and further . 10 starts to fall off at around -20. So if you get as low as -15 normally get some 0 or 5 weight. the second number is related to when its hot so that wont change from what you normally run.
Changing Box and engine oils before winter is a good idea, Start of spring or middle of summer is ok but the oil will be slightly heavier when winter comes which adds slightly to the power needed to start an engine.
Fuel,
There is not much to be done to the fuel system except maybe run some injector cleaner and change your fuel filters as the engine will need the best atomisation it can get when its freezing.
Electrics -
A diesel kills a battery every time it starts so look after them, keep them charged and topped up with fluid if its not a maintenance free one, Ensure all connections, fuses and earths are clean and secure and that wires are upt to the job. Make a jacket for the battery but leave all vents and posts clear.
Start up,
When you go to get in your wagon and its -10 think about what your asking the engine to do. jump out of bed stick its headout the window and breathe ice cold air brrrrrrrrr.
Make sure your intakes are clear and not snow or ice covered, get in but dont turn anything on like lights or radio. Turn the key to so that the glow plugs light up. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. the spark plugs are raising the temp in the bore. when the light goes off turn the engine over, if she struggles give it very light pump almost nothing see if that helps. Also clutch down as you turn over. this will reduce the drag on the engine and stop it having to turn over the gear box as well. Once running then turn your lights on and every thing, If she struggles to start DO NOT USE EASY START / ETHER the engines get addicted to it and before you know it you will need it in summer. Be gentle with her for the first couple of miles.
Shut down, -
Dont just pull up outside handbrake on engine off and off you go, pull up hand brake on turn all the lights off and CB phone charger ect and let the engine idle for a min, if you have a turbo let it idle for a couple of mins ( the poor thing is near melt down then you want to go and throw it in the artic fook that it will kill its self) Once happy out you pop, If its staying there for several hours, then after an hour pop out and put an old blanket or duvet under the hood and over the engine. Block up the intakes, all this will keep the engine warmer and easier to start, just remember to remove all this before you get in again .
Hopefully some of this will help some of you. And i await the slaughter
My Rant / Advice is about peeps who complain there Die's ( some of this will work for petrols) dont start up easily in winter . This is due to lack of knowledge or ignorance. So here are some tips
OILS-
Make sure you engine oil covers your local temps, OK parts of the UK did get hit bad this year but you should know what you normally go down to and if you think its going to be colder chos a lower temp oil.
Gone are the days of having to do two or three oil changes a year, Not cause your oil was dirty but due to its working temps. If you look at oils now they generally have two number 10/30 5/20 5/50 . If you look on the charts it will say what they work in so a 20grade can only go as low as -5 how ever a 0 or 5 can go as low as -25 and further . 10 starts to fall off at around -20. So if you get as low as -15 normally get some 0 or 5 weight. the second number is related to when its hot so that wont change from what you normally run.
Changing Box and engine oils before winter is a good idea, Start of spring or middle of summer is ok but the oil will be slightly heavier when winter comes which adds slightly to the power needed to start an engine.
Fuel,
There is not much to be done to the fuel system except maybe run some injector cleaner and change your fuel filters as the engine will need the best atomisation it can get when its freezing.
Electrics -
A diesel kills a battery every time it starts so look after them, keep them charged and topped up with fluid if its not a maintenance free one, Ensure all connections, fuses and earths are clean and secure and that wires are upt to the job. Make a jacket for the battery but leave all vents and posts clear.
Start up,
When you go to get in your wagon and its -10 think about what your asking the engine to do. jump out of bed stick its headout the window and breathe ice cold air brrrrrrrrr.
Make sure your intakes are clear and not snow or ice covered, get in but dont turn anything on like lights or radio. Turn the key to so that the glow plugs light up. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. the spark plugs are raising the temp in the bore. when the light goes off turn the engine over, if she struggles give it very light pump almost nothing see if that helps. Also clutch down as you turn over. this will reduce the drag on the engine and stop it having to turn over the gear box as well. Once running then turn your lights on and every thing, If she struggles to start DO NOT USE EASY START / ETHER the engines get addicted to it and before you know it you will need it in summer. Be gentle with her for the first couple of miles.
Shut down, -
Dont just pull up outside handbrake on engine off and off you go, pull up hand brake on turn all the lights off and CB phone charger ect and let the engine idle for a min, if you have a turbo let it idle for a couple of mins ( the poor thing is near melt down then you want to go and throw it in the artic fook that it will kill its self) Once happy out you pop, If its staying there for several hours, then after an hour pop out and put an old blanket or duvet under the hood and over the engine. Block up the intakes, all this will keep the engine warmer and easier to start, just remember to remove all this before you get in again .
Hopefully some of this will help some of you. And i await the slaughter
