Lister Engine Forum

Lister Engines => Listeroid Engines => Topic started by: Hugh Conway on December 31, 2021, 12:00:43 AM

Title: reluctant to start
Post by: Hugh Conway on December 31, 2021, 12:00:43 AM
Our Listeroid was reluctant to start for the last several days. No surprise really, the temps were at -18*C  , and she lives outside. The starting battery is a 10 year old discarded car battery and that didn't help either, she would turn over, but too slowly to fire up, even with the help of a propane torch heating up the intake for a couple of minutes. The solution was  to heat the intake, turn on the electric start and then use the hand crank.......with that combination, she took off like a rocket,
This afternoon, it is a sweltering -2* so normal starting procedures were sufficient to do the deed.
This has been the coldest spell we've seen here since putting this engine into service some 10 plus years ago, and this is was far too cold for us.
The woodshed has been visited far too often. I wince when thinking of all the effort in gathering firewood, so am a bit of a miser in using it up.....though it is our only heat source.
More snow in the forecast and it is not yet the new year. Might eventually have to break into next year's wood supply.
Happy New Year!
Cheers
Hugh
Title: Re: reluctant to start
Post by: 38ac on December 31, 2021, 12:13:27 AM
Been above normal here all winter, couple days week ago where the highs were at 30F. Other than that its been light coat weather. Firewood shed is 80% full.

I don't know how often you change oil but a 5W -xx oil realy helps the cold starts and with the low crankcase temps these engines have its probably the best choice. I run 5W-20 in the winter and 15W-40 in the summer.  We ran the 16/2 for 6 hours on thr buzz saw and the crankcase was barely warm guessing 80F or less.
Title: Re: reluctant to start
Post by: Hugh Conway on December 31, 2021, 12:54:00 AM
Our normals here are high of +5* and low of 0*. We are on a small island surrounded by ocean for Christ's sake......it just isn't supposed to be this cold. I have seen it so about 30 years ago, but it didn't last so long.
We run about 300 hours annually, so there's fresh oil every year. I just use the same oil as in my truck: 15W40. I agree, a lighter weight would be helpful in cranking, but it usually is not a problem!
Cheers
Hugh
Title: Re: reluctant to start
Post by: BruceM on December 31, 2021, 04:28:44 AM
Glad you got her going with some savy heroics, Hugh. Well done, and no ether.  I'm a glow plug fan myself.
I did try some 5W-30 synthetic oil one winter; it made a big difference in cranking speed, and hand crank force required when the temps got to -17C.  I ran enough hours then to warrant a thinner winter oil.

I'm forecast for a couple nights around 0F (-18C) in a few days.  With luck it will be sunny and I won't have to start the Listeroid.  I used it this cloudy morning for laundry, it did a remote start without complaint.  At 0 F, I must walk over the hill and unstrap the air compressor and ST-3 and start it bare to warm up, then restart with belts on. The glow plug is a big help in cold weather.  The GAST 4AM with rubber roller just doesn't have the torque needed for cranking at 0F with the air compressor on...it is a 3 cylinder model and is very stuff at 0F. 



 
Title: Re: reluctant to start
Post by: mike90045 on December 31, 2021, 05:15:05 AM
There is also an approved amount of unleaded gas that can be added to diesel for easier starting and less wax buildup, if you don't have winter fuel there.
 From my Hatz engine manual

Title: Re: reluctant to start
Post by: veggie on December 31, 2021, 03:05:28 PM
-28C for over a week here in Alberta. The power went out for 5 hrs a couple days ago. During the evening.
On came the Listeroid to maintain our lights, refrigerator, and natural gas furnace.
Outages for more than 8 hours in this temperature can become deadly for some.
First thing we do is start a fire in the wood stove. We had one installed 8 years ago and it supplements heat very well.
Like Hugh, we have gone through more wood than normal this winter.
However, this is a "La Nina" year. The pacific is 1.5 to 2 degrees cooler than normal, so this weather is expected.
Looking forward to the next "El Nino", warmer ocean event.