Very Cold Start LLY Duramax 6.6L Diesel

Temperatures ranging from -25 (feels like -38) to -10 (feels like -18)
Starting problems in freezing cold temps in Ontario Canada.
Will it start?
Autolite Glow Plug - amzn.to/3v71UmM
Dorman Diesel Glow Plug Controller - amzn.to/3p3vYPh
Dorman Diesel Glow Plug Relay - amzn.to/3AurAKX
Sony Action Cam that I use - amzn.to/2O0x1gx
Sony Camcorder that I use - amzn.to/2MPwmdh

[@MudRFunR]

Turbo whistle at 10:37

[@newbrunswickatvrides275]

When your battery gage goes up to just under 14 on the dash or till its stops going up is when you start the truck cause I have a 2004 lly Chevy dually and it starts just fine when I let the battery gage go all the way up and the glow plug light goes out

[@angtornetta]

Watching this video on Christmas day waiting for my family to get up. Everyone knows the struggle is real with diesels in that Canadian climate!!

[@MudRFunR]

Yes some mornings are a chore to get a diesel running in Canada. Hope you are having a great Christmas!

[@SWMP1523]

Tip for future reference. Watch your volt gauge. The plugs will go for awhile after the light on the dash goes out. You'll know when the plugs shut off when the voltage goes up a little

[@MudRFunR]

Thanks! I will be sure to watch for that.

[@ronburgundy3472]

Let them glow plugs cycle.. just cuz the lights off doesn’t mean there done cycling. I’m not sure exactly how long but I’d give it 15 seconds a cycle at least

[@1chevroletcorvette]

Giving out bad info is bad, if you don’t understand how glow plugs work don’t comment. As soon as the light goes out the glow plugs are starting to cool down, also if there all the glow plugs were working properly, witch I’m sure some are weaker then other just haven’t caused the check engine light to come on also the intake heater could be not working as it should

[@ronburgundy3472]

@@1chevroletcorvette it’s an idiot light man... glow plugs stay on sometimes a few seconds after the truck starts even. Just because the light goes off doesn’t mean the glow plugs do. Look it up

[@1chevroletcorvette]

They shut off once the light it out, do some research bubba

[@ronburgundy3472]

@@1chevroletcorvette seriously “bubba” just google it if u don’t believe me. Just cuz u work at oreilys doesn’t mean ur a mechanic

[@1chevroletcorvette]

Alright super wrench, you probably work at McDonald’s Donald’s, get a life little man, leave the wrenching to the real men, go sit at your desk

[@robertmartz9812]

BTW , dead short to ground on the glowplug circuit. In that cold , the glowplug light should stay lit for ten seconds or so. the current monitor is seeing high resistance immediately and kicking out the relay.

[@smithsbell]

This. That truck, even with some miles on it will start to -50 with good batteries and a good working glow plug system.

[@billythegoat4793]

No point in cycleing your glow plugs they will continue to have power to them for a while after the light goes out partly why ur having battery issues..from a diesel mechanic 👍

[@MudRFunR]

More people have mentioned that the glow plugs go for a while after the light goes out. The way the owners manual is written, it sounds as if the plugs stop when the light goes out. Anyway, thanks for the info. The batteries were getting bad. I noticed it was starting to crank slower already before this really cold snap hit us.

[@JimBronson]

@4:59 Battery date code 8-2013, video posted 2-3-2019. This is it's 6th winter season by my count, not surprised that it's done.

[@MudRFunR]

I didn't realize the batteries were that old. How time flies. Good eye!

[@jackroderick6757]

Thanks for sticking with it. I learned a good battery makes a difference, and from the comments below I learned to let the voltage stop raising on the gauge.

[@MudRFunR]

Yup, it just needed enough juice to turn it over fast enough. Thanks for watching!

[@mikef6706]

Great effort👍 Block HTR Battery HTR’s 5w40 Fuel Additive/Anti Gel I don’t plug my Dmax in much. But when I had my 01 F250 w/7.3L, no plug in no start in the cold….

[@MudRFunR]

With good batteries it starts most of the time without plugging it in. I hear Ford diesels are temperamental in the cold. Thanks for watching.

[@Blazinghikari]

canada stan for yah

[@hoodyboy18]

Even if u have new batteries you need to wire brush all the terminals plus the positive and ground cables MoSt importantly the jumper cable thing in the red box that is the positive connection point between both your batteries. It’ll start like brand new after that, I have an 04 lly had a problem with newer batteries after wire brushing everything made a major difference with how fast the starter turned over. There was really no visible corrosion before hand

[@DudeThat251]

now thats a real cold start. I love these duramaxs, one day i'll be able to get one

[@MudRFunR]

Hope you get a chance to buy one. These trucks are awesome!

[@jacobwerner99]

My ford will fire no problem.

[@bentonmitchell7891]

@@jacobwerner99 what year is your Ford, and how many miles?

[@jacobwerner99]

@@bentonmitchell7891 2000 with 173 or something maybe 178

[@indianahoosier7113]

I'd plug her in being that cold . Canada can get mighty cold...

[@MudRFunR]

I'd plug it in too if the block heater worked. I forgot to mention that.

[@indianahoosier7113]

@@MudRFunR Awwww 10-4

[@coreyrides9650]

We never plug ours in even at -30

[@havnofear2764]

@@MudRFunR wrap a tarp around the front and sides , poke a smaller readi heater and let her buck for 1/2 hr- 1 hr , truck will light up easy .... engines do not like those kinda starts ...... hard on bearings .... piston skirts might not like that either

[@MudRFunR]

@@havnofear2764 Normally this truck fires up fairly easy in most any weather. The batterues were getting old and worn down. It's my daily driver. Usually I have to have it running by 5:30am to go to work. I run 5W40 Shell Rotella. Running strong with 455 000 km on it now. Thanks for the tip.

[@dieselisking]

9:21 thing about any early Duramax cold starts it always sounds like its gonna break apart. that's what I like about cold starts.

[@MudRFunR]

So, now I had to go back and watch/hear it again for my self. They do sound like their comin' apart sometimes. Thanks for your comment, much appreciated!

[@Downstriker559]

Mine fired up in can't remember the actual temp, but it was felt like -52, block heater cord snapped off my truck, sat for 12 hours while I was at work. Fired up no problems

[@FutureTruckerDennis]

For sure have some glow plug issues. My duramax starts after one glow in -20 after sitting for over a month.

[@bruno8241]

I agree mine was doing the same thing until I took it in to a buddy of mine who put it on a scanner and found out the glow plug controller was bad but no indicator light changed the controller from Amazon starts on the first crank now!

[@FutureTruckerDennis]

@@bruno8241 Yes good point, I forgot about that one. I had that happen a few years ago when I had my LLY

[@coreyrides9650]

Never had a problem with ours either except for gelling

[@jacobneal569]

You know that cord that hangs out of the front of your truck, it’s used for cold weather use it.

[@MrCorgasm01]

Thats what glow plugs are for

[@BlondeWick]

So many people love to claim short glow cycle etc, but when they made the switch from old cupped injectors LB7 in 2004.5 they changed the dash and with it removed the older "wait to start" light and the glow plugs stay on for a while. Even when started. I'm going to lean towards gelled fuel. The fuel filter probably finally thawed out after its heating element warmed up.

[@MudRFunR]

Possibly some fuel gelled. The truck has always started if it has good batteries. It was cranking too slow for it to start up. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@MatthewSmith-to1hz]

That's why God invented block heaters.

[@MudRFunR]

Block heater hasn't worked for the past 8 years. The truck usually starts in all kinds of weather. Just the batteries were getting too weak.

[@jeffstelko7610]

Plug it in, plug it in

[@MudRFunR]

My block heater hasn't worked in years. Always starts with good batteries. I did put a new block heater in this year though.

[@fz671]

Yup she started talking Kazakhstani

[@VegasJPH]

😂😂

[@Ds9Defiant1701B]

I understood that reference

[@mr.mangaming6713]

That idle sounds great though

[@white24valve]

I dont think all of your glow plugs are working sir.with that new battery and cycling the glow plugs she shoulda fired right up.you may have a glow plug rail that has rusted into 2 pieces!

[@MudRFunR]

The LLY has a short glow plug cycle. I tested all the glow plugs years ago. It's always been this way since I owned it. Starts fine with enough battery juice.

[@white24valve]

@@MudRFunR okay

[@bullofthewoods9374]

@@MudRFunR whats a short glow plug life? my 2005 has had no issues what so ever now in 2021

[@bullofthewoods9374]

@@MudRFunR also do you have a lift pump? im a chevy fan all day but the idiotic engineers that decided to suck the fuel with the injection pump instead of pushing the fuel to the injection pump.... well were obviously last in their class. major flaw in cold weather. a lift pump may help you drastically.

[@MudRFunR]

@@bullofthewoods9374 no lift pump

[@ComputerTech95]

My 2011 Ford Fusion started up first time -45/-50 all night with 2 month old new battery

[@trentopinto5]

well duh, it's a gasoline powered car

[@ComputerTech95]

Trenton DeBacker that has nothing to do with anything it’s all in the charging system

[@trentopinto5]

@@ComputerTech95 it requires less amperage to turn over😂 there's plenty of factors. Engine size, compression, battery condition, even oil weight. A ford fusion with a 1 liter gasoline engine will be easier to start than 6.6 liter diesel engine. Gasoline doesn't gel like diesel.

[@just1lifexx11]

sound like japan engine, in canada hole --thanks for uploading CANADA. I LIVE HERE TOO

[@MudRFunR]

Actually, I'm not certain but I think the Duramax is designed by Isuzu and built by GM. It's a great engine. I'm in Ontario, and you?

[@thetechlibrarian]

MudRFunR yes you are correct.

[@codybrumbaugh1695]

One thing I would do is look at the voltage for the batteries and when it goes up let it cycle again and then redo it and then when the voltage goes up start

[@chevy5515]

You need to plug it in. That’s super hard on it. That dam cold put some #1 diesel in it. I understand your trying to get a cold start video but dam.

[@MudRFunR]

I probably should plug it in but my block heater hasn't worked for the past 6 years. It most always starts providing I have enough battery power. Maybe I'll replace my block heater before next winter.

[@jerrybrandt9377]

Lil either

[@MudRFunR]

@@jerrybrandt9377 I don't like to use ether if I don't have to. I wasn't going anywhere that day, just thought it needed to be started.

[@mikethompson-beal2833]

Cant wait to see the next video buddy

[@MudRFunR]

Working on it right now.

[@mikethompson-beal2833]

Sweet buddy il wait for the notification that ya posted it

[@mikethompson-beal2833]

Wait a min was the avalanche parked where one eyed willie was parked lol

[@arbit3r]

Glowplugs stay on after light turns off for quite a while (In most cars) so no need to cycle all the time. I would check your plugs and relay incase. If you cant hear it energizing that might be a sign.

[@MudRFunR]

I have never been able to hear my glow plugs. I tested everything about 2 years ago. Everything was working fine then and it's still working the same as always except that it didn't have enough battery power to turn it over for long enough. I never mentioned this in the video, but I never plug the block heater in either. It has never worked since I owned the truck.

[@arbit3r]

@@MudRFunR you should be able to hear the glowplug relay click on and off. It should click like the relay for your blinkers unless it's solid state which I doubt. My diesel land rover starts at -2c without glowplugs connected. I would consider testing the relay. Put multimeter positive on plug and ground to engine and see if it's getting 12v.

[@MudRFunR]

@@arbit3r My truck starts right up when it's only-2. It has always cranked for some time when we have extreme cold temps. The only difference from normal starting was that I had no battery power. Long cranking times is perfectly normal given the temps we had here.

[@menotadog]

arbit3r glow plugs are only on while the glow plug light is on.... plus minus 15 is no biggie for the Duramax...

[@arbit3r]

@@menotadog Not really. The light is just for reference to tell you that it should be ok to start the car. My relay stays energised for a good 8 seconds after the light turns off. I've had 3 diesels for different manufacturers, Renault, land rover and the relays all stayed on after the light went off for quite a while. I suppose it depends on what the manufacturer used to control the relay. ECU, ignition switch with timed relay etc. I don't know about duramax so you may be right.

[@jasonmushersee]

next time keep the batteries in the house. jan 31 it was -34f windchill was -58f here my silverado started but power steering hose exploded just idling. at work nothing worked. frozen water lines everywhere two 50amp contactor relays that power 10 hp motors blew out and all 3 brand new 2019 gehl R190 skidloaders would not start and i cycled the glow plugs 4 times same as you. skidloaders were plugged in parked inside pole shed but batteries were dead as dead as dead. my little p-o-s alero got me to work on the coldest day in minnesota history

[@MudRFunR]

Wow! That is some extreme temps you got there. The coldest we got was wind chill of -38. Sorry you had such a hard day. It's always nice to have a gasser around, just in case.

[@markbroad119]

I live in west central Oregon, I glued/taped a small heat pad to my oil pan. Being I have a 95' powerstroke it uses the oil for the injectors. I figure why not give it a hand up. She's got 307,000. She could use it.

[@MudRFunR]

That must make starting easier.

[@plumkey197]

I vote for that can of ether!!!

[@MudRFunR]

I was kinda pointless to spray ether cause it wasn't turning over fast enough to start it anyway.

[@plumkey197]

@@MudRFunR Maybe....maybe not. U have driven your truck 432K in a frigid climate, so the only information I can reference is my personal experiences, and I have never had to deal with such temps here in Louisiana! I'm not a big fan of starting fluid to begin with because of the gradual damage that can be caused in an engine that's chronically sprayed with the stuff. I believe that if ether was used from the get-go, your chances of starting it would have increased due to the flammability of the stuff and it's ability to heat up the top cylinder area. This is assuming no gelling of the fuel lines. When I worked in the local plants, I had to deal with Cummins and Detroit diesels in yard rigs and the Trackmobiles (miniature locomotive with tires that can be moved from track to track via roads). Many either had no or broken glow plugs and were hard to start in temps below 40: F. Sometimes they had to be cranked 1-2 minutes continuously before they would run. The mechanics changed the batteries out at the first sign of not handling the stress of continuous cranking, since hot batteries didn't overheat the starter These industrial engine starters are made for extended cranking times, esp. on Cummins engines that came without glow plugs, and are very rugged and can handle the heat. Obviously, your batteries were at the end of their life. I just hope you replaced the other battery LOL. The dropping voltage of bad batteries is, I would imagine, absolutely horrible on the wiring, starter, and sensitive electronic components on a passenger truck, since the amps increase as the voltage drops. I've melted the insulation off of battery cables (back in the day- not recent LOL) attempting to jump cars that had bad batteries that wouldn't hold a charge. Live and learn! Down here in humid Louisiana, the main factor with diesel engines failing to run is moisture in the fuel and failure to change and properly maintain the multitude of fuel filters/water separators. Regards from Louisiana! Hope u r staying warm. It hit 80 degrees F today down here so its more like spring. I subscribed to your channel, and I always appreciate someone who will respond to a comment.

[@MudRFunR]

@@plumkey197 Thanks for that informative comment. I haven't put all the km's on this truck but I have driven it for 6 going on 7 Canadian winters. It will start in frigid temps but it has to crank for a while. I there is enough battery power, it's starts for me 99% of the time without a block heater. Hope to hear from you again soon!

[@ryancronin8730]

Come on baby

[@mr.mangaming6713]

That’s either glow plugs or gelled fuel ya got there

[@Ron-h4l]

Abe, I Gave up the cold live in nice hot climate all year round.

[@MudRFunR]

You must have moved. Winter gets annoying real fast. Did you see the rust hole by the rear passenger side tire?

[@Ron-h4l]

MudRFunR yes, I have moved best thing ever did my cars have no rust they look great.

[@MudRFunR]

@@Ron-h4l We are hoping to move further north for an investment property.

[@MudRFunR]

@K.·.R. He is American

[@jerrybrandt9377]

North pole?? Then you can just hook it to a 270 gal oil tank and let it run all year

[@SS-vb7pp]

Hey neighbor to the north......,if your gunna keep that old truck outside in the cold, invest in a block heater !!!¡!

[@MudRFunR]

Maybe next winter:)

[@landonhill700]

I could be wrong but I don’t think you’re letting your glow plugs run their duration man.... most trucks you’ll be able to hear them when they turn off and it’s normally about 5 or 10 seconds after the glow plug light goes off the dash and yours seems to go off way too quick especially it being that cold.

[@adamwubben6076]

I think you may have other issues going on, my LBZ starts without a hickup at -30F

[@MudRFunR]

With good batteries this truck most often fires up without any issues.

[@jeffwallace3732]

this man should not own a diesel, he prolly seriously hurt the engine not cycling properly

[@bullofthewoods9374]

your batteries are junk man. one or both. if by chance one is dead and the other is not. try undoing each one at a time to see which one it is. once u find the bad one leave it undone and the good one may crank it. doubtful in the cold but it might

[@grantg98]

I don't own a diesel and even I know u don't cycle the glow plugs that fast.

[@andyssaravia2504]

All duramax glow plugs go that fast

[@andyssaravia2504]

They just quickly cycle

[@jeffwallace3732]

that's not cycling the glow plugs LMFAO

[@zachakamp]

You need to let your glow plugs warm up. You tried to start after one second. Turn key, wait 10 seconds, turn off key, and repeat 3 times. The glow plugs do nothing when the key is off.

[@MudRFunR]

I only turned the key off when the glow plug light went out. That's why I cycled it 4 times. Usually this is enough to start it but just didn't have enough battery power.

[@zachakamp]

@@MudRFunR Very good. In that case, I think your glow plug relay is not working. The light should not go out that quickly.

[@MudRFunR]

@@zachakamp It has always been this way since I owned it. Everything tested ok years ago and it was the same back then.

[@SkitCoolness]

zachakamp all duramax engines 04.5 and up have short glow plug cycles.

[@zachakamp]

@@SkitCoolness Interesting. Thanks. Never had the privilege to drive a duramax

[@donvoll2580]

Good dayBoy I am surprized you would even try it in this cold weather. I live in Kit-Waterloo Ont. I own a IH 574 diesel My battery is 4-5 yrs. old, if I try it run battery down, plug block heater 1500 watt, 2 hrs. nice & warm & heats battery up, then it will start. Thanks yes it was cold.

[@MudRFunR]

My block heater hasn't worked since I bought the truck 6 years ago. Most always starts if I have good batteries.

[@czesckiza]

Maybe a block heater would be a good idea. You don't need it but it helps 😆

[@markdavid4897]

Your batteries are weak. Your glow plugs are messed up. That LLY should crank and run no problem.

[@tommyschulte2577]

Cycling them plugs does no good on a computer controlled system. When the light turns off, there ready to go. It only take 5 seconds for those to get glowing hot.

[@MudRFunR]

In the manual it says that when the light goes out it's ready. There have been so many comments on this video saying the glow plugs stay on after the light goes out and I'm cycling it too fast. I also believe that they heat up in a few seconds. Honestly though, cycling them multiple times has helped for me. Maybe my imagination? Thanks for your comment!

[@tommyschulte2577]

@@MudRFunR i recently changed a glow plug on my 2012 lml. As long as i was down there i attached a 4 foot wire so i can check the voltage with a test light or volt meter easily. So whats going on is when you turn your key on the glow plugs run at 12 volts until the light in the dash turns off. After that the reduce down to about 6 volts for only 10 seconds. But if the motor fires up they stay light at 6 volts for 1 minute as the motor is running. The glow plug sits right below the injector. It's only function it to ignite the fuel. So cycling that fast really dosnt give them time to heat up... The stay light for a while until heat in the motor takes over. I don't know how to send a link. But here's a title for a you tube video. "Diesel glow plug comparison" gm runs delphi. Hope this helps a little bit. Hope i made sence. 🙂

[@MudRFunR]

@@tommyschulte2577 Thanks for sharing that!

[@randylarocque1489]

switch to other batt and prime fuel a bit

[@MudRFunR]

It runs off of both batteries all the time. Priming the fuel may have helped too but the batteries didn't have enough umf to turn over the engine fast enough.

[@masonh2538]

Why did you only replace one battery?

[@MudRFunR]

It's explained in the video

[@UmairKhan-gr1nq]

Turn the lights off

[@MudRFunR]

If you tell me how, I will next time. Lights are always on, even when I turn the switch off.

[@stanlojewski6761]

@@MudRFunR Push in your parking brake, just enough for the parking brake light to come on. You have to do that "before" you turn the key on, this is how I also have to do it on my '06 Sierra 2500hd duramax. My truck was imported back to USA from Canada btw. When you put it in drive, if you forget to release your parking brake, the lights will still work by themselves. I know that some older trucks than mine (years, I don't remember?), they have the dome light switch trick to shut off the headlights, if the parking brake trick isn't it, KZbin the easy dome light trick. Hope this helps.

[@MudRFunR]

@@stanlojewski6761 I am going to try the park brake trick first. I've tried it before with the key on. That didn't work. If that doesn't do it then I'll try the dome switch trick. I had never heard of it before. I saw some videos on it. Now I'm sure I'll get the running lights to stay off one way or another. Thank you so much for the info! Enjoy!

[@rogerduvall502]

Be so so so much easier to plug it in. Be a helluv a lot less hassle.

[@MudRFunR]

I may not have mentioned it in the video. My block heater hasn't worked for years. I bought one last week, just need to install it. Normally it will start in the cold but the batteries were pooched. Thanks for watching!

[@rogerduvall502]

MudRFunR you might have mentioned it. I may have just missed it. Ya got it started, that’s all that matters. 👍

[@user-mk2go4qu4c]

Это минус 12, а у нас часто минус 30 и что же тогда делать?😁

[@MudRFunR]

Я начал этот грузовик в -38 C Мои батареи не были хорошими

[@brandonjohnson7851]

stop cycling the plugs they are still on when the light goes off get new batterys

[@white24valve]

Your fuel gel up in the fuel filter Abe?! Y'all get super cold up there!

[@gpowerdragon9852]

The glow plugs get at least 10 seconds in extreme cold at least 25 seconds and Healthy Glow plugs Yours turn off way too early . diesel RX are pretty good maybe you should change

[@allscar5787]

I know all bark I have experience 8 year can I help you can you colls me

[@garrettking7089]

Your cycling the tooooo fast

[@dominickjohnston5881]

Stock?

[@MudRFunR]

Yes, stock, no tune.

[@hakrihe]

Fuel problem? Does not even cough...and no smoke. I mean at the start of the video.

[@MudRFunR]

It's possible but in freezing temps, it normally cranks for a while before it even coughs. I replaced the block heater. I plug it in when it gets below -10C. It starts good now.

[@estebanwedontneednostinkin9969]

My old girl has way more coming out of her tail pipe than that.😬

[@MudRFunR]

That's about the worst that mine gets.

[@karlk6860]

I think you have some MORE problems that your aware of! Your glo plugs are not cycling correctly and even though its not that cold its going to be a huge problem starting till you figure that problem out. Your batteries are questionable to say the least and lastly why dont you use your block heater and just plug the engine in for a couple hours? Sorry but your video starting problems seem all self induced to me!

[@MudRFunR]

Yes the batteries were done for. I failed to mention that the block heater wasn't working. That has been replaced. The glow plugs seem good. It seems to heat up much more if I leave the key on for a bit after the light goes out.

[@just1lifexx11]

15w-40.. dont use this oil mann.. 5w-40 is good

[@MudRFunR]

I have always used only 5W-40

[@iamtheman502]

Next time plug it in so your not killing your engine

[@jerrybrandt9377]

Can't kill a duramax

[@MudRFunR]

Block heater hasn't worked for 6 years. Most always starts with good batteries. Engine still runs great.

[@maximelevasseur647]

Ne vien pas par cher nous l'hiver il fais -45c ton camion partira jamais

[@MudRFunR]

The truck can be stubborn but it always starts up.

[@dirtbikewrecker4475]

Just show the start up vid for Christ sake. Didn’t sign up for all this bs!!!!

[@MudRFunR]

It started out as a simple cold start but everything just went wrong. Sorry if you didn't like the video.

[@bigt3623]

Worst cold start I’ve seen you need to let ur glow plugs run for 5-10 seconds they don’t actually shut off when the glow plug indicator shuts off and u needed new batteries bad