Best Method for Starting on COLD Mornings
#1
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It's starting to dip into the 20's up here and my starter/motor was slow to turn over this morning - slower than usual anyway. So for those of us without garages and electric outlets for block warmers, what can we do to help our engines out during those critical first moments of firing her up?
Thanks...
Thanks...
#3
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Originally Posted by Sam Lin
An Optima Red Top does wonders for helping cold starts if your current battery isn't absolutely brand new.
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Sam
I have been thinking about a Red Top, but how can we mount it to pass PCA DE tech inspection ?
#6
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I just turn the key....it gets into the 10's here sometimes.
However, I just got a new alternator, battery and starter, so she fires right up....stumbles a little, then goes perfectly
However, I just got a new alternator, battery and starter, so she fires right up....stumbles a little, then goes perfectly
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#8
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Here are a few things to try:
- make sure your battery is good, have it load tested
- clean the battery contacts
- make sure the grounds are good on the block and bell housing
- make sure the positive cable to the starter has a clean contact
If electrically everything is good:
- try a lighter weight oil. This will make a big difference in starting speed. 20W50 gets nice and thick in lower temps. (Added bonus will be that your fuel economy goes up too)
HTH
-R.B.
- make sure your battery is good, have it load tested
- clean the battery contacts
- make sure the grounds are good on the block and bell housing
- make sure the positive cable to the starter has a clean contact
If electrically everything is good:
- try a lighter weight oil. This will make a big difference in starting speed. 20W50 gets nice and thick in lower temps. (Added bonus will be that your fuel economy goes up too)
HTH
-R.B.
#9
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Originally Posted by streckfu's951
New battery and Iceshark cables. ![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
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#11
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Get your starter rebuilt. Mine fired up on the first crank on a 10 degree F morning. Rebuilt starter and new DieHard battery within the last 10k miles IIRC, with crappy old corroded ground cables. Turned the key, quick Rrrrrr and boom running, in all its cold morning with no exhaust and a slightly bad idle glory. I was sitting there thinking "WTF? She started? WOW.... Time to go inside, this leather is cold"
My friends heard it idling... On the opposit side of their house, with the TV on![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
In fact, mine fires up on the first turn over on most days.
My friends heard it idling... On the opposit side of their house, with the TV on
![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
In fact, mine fires up on the first turn over on most days.
#12
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Originally Posted by sm
Red Top battery - noted
But what about something to keep metal wear to a minimum? Any effective portable block/coolant heaters out there?
But what about something to keep metal wear to a minimum? Any effective portable block/coolant heaters out there?
When the engine is hard to turn over in the bitter cold, part of that is its turning the transmission (in neutral) through that honey-thick gear oil in the back (if you are not stepping on the clutch when you start).
#13
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Originally Posted by R.B.
If electrically everything is good:
- try a lighter weight oil. This will make a big difference in starting speed. 20W50 gets nice and thick in lower temps. (Added bonus will be that your fuel economy goes up too)
HTH
-R.B.
- try a lighter weight oil. This will make a big difference in starting speed. 20W50 gets nice and thick in lower temps. (Added bonus will be that your fuel economy goes up too)
HTH
-R.B.