use propane to start cold 6.2?

[Ashley]

Trying to start a cold 6.2 diesel, what about using an unlit propane torch to give the intake a TINY spit of propane to help it start when cold?

Since Its unwise to use ETHER or any other starting fluid, why not Propane, something diesels seem to like?

[Robyn]

I have never really thought about it as a starting aid but it should not be bad at all as its pretty cold stuff (Not nearly as volatile as Ma Startly)

The best way to assure a good clean start on these liitle monsters is to have a good well maintained glow system and the injectors right up to snuff as far as spray and POP pressure goes.

Poor glow plugs will/do cause poor starting characteristics.
A poor set of injectors will also cause poor starting in the colder weather.

Poor battery cables/batteries and a worn starter can all cause a reduced ability to start well in the colder weather.

The need for a starting aid should realistically be reserved for very very very cold temps.

A well maintained 6.2/6.5 should be able to start easily at temps near zero and below.

When the glow plugs start to go away many times they only partially glow. ( just the center and not the tip)
Failures of just some plugs will result in a smokey start on moderate weather but can cause a failure to go in the very cold.

The injectors when they go away will lose pop pressure and begin to dribble and spray a stream instead of a very fine mist of fuel.
This condition makes it very hard even for a good set of glow plugs to light the beast off.

The injector failures can and does take its toll on the engine in other ways too. Having poor spay patterns can lead to excessive piston crown heating and possible cracking due to poor flame propagation in the precup and across the piston crown.


The use of any starting aid no matter what it is must be considered an emergency stop gap fix and the real source of the issue rectified.

Any 6.2/6.5 that is in fairly good shape no matter the miles on the clock can and will start right up if the Glow system is in good shape and the injectors and IP are in reasonable condition.

Far too many folks head directly to the glow plugs when they have a poor start up.

This area is certainly one that is easy to check and should be done first but from there if the glows are good the injectors need to be checked on a tester to see how they are doing.

I had another 95 Burb (had two) that was a bitch to start in the cold byt the glows were all good.
The injectors were just trash but the rig was a temporary stepping stone so I did not want to spend big $$$$ on the thing.
I sorted through a bucket of used squirts to find 8 that were so so and installed them.
The truck started right up even in 20F temps with no issues.

The injector health can also be seen in the fuel economy too and as the health and well being of the injectors drops well below optimal the fuel economy will also.

Also seeing some smoking from the tailpipe at idle after the initial startup and the engine is somewhat warm is a very good indicator that the Injectors may very well be used up.

Good idea though on the Propane, maybe some of our other members will chime in here.

BEST

Robyn