Cold starting tips required

[ffiill]

Manifold flame heaters had I thought gone out of fashion years ago-the old Ford 2.4 diesels as fitted to 1970s Transits had them as did old Perkins.
To put it in perspective if I go and start my engine with 12 v glow plugs today in below freezing temps after not run for three months it will take about mississihippi ten on the heater plus about 10 revs to fire up-all be it a slow fire up and thats a thirty year old Merc OM636

 

[CalicoJack]

Perkins 4108

Is it possible to put the engine into an excess fuel situation, which ought to help it start more quickly?

 

[PCUK]

Not the 4108 with rotary pump.

 

[pcatterall]

Just to close the thread!!
Many thanks all. Armed with all your advice I re-visited the boat today. I followed pipe work and confirmed that there was a pipe from the filter to the heater. I couldnt remove the breather cap ( is it just a straight pull or twist first...thread not closed!!)
However I gave it 20 seconds on the heater then tried cranking, it fired up after a couple of seconds and I did observe a 'flame effect' from the breather. So all seems to be as it should be, many thanks to you all. It was a little warmer today but at least I understand what is happening and will/can adopt a technique to suit!!

 

[jonrarit]

Stemar, yes you can fit a Thermostart in your air cleaner. I fitted one to my BMC 1.5

Hi PCUK do you have pictures of this modification to the air filter? I'm thinking of something similar on a volvo 2002 but not sure where in the filter to fit it.

There is no room between the filter & manifold unless I make an extension pipe with boss fitting.

I could go through the centre of the airfilter, however this would mean the thermostat/glow plug would be lying horizontal. Not so important for a glow plug but looking at the design of a thermostart, am I right in thinking it has to me mounted vertical so it "drips" flamed fuel?

Thanks in advance

Jonathan