Re: Cold Starting techniques

["Steve Palmano" <steve719@GTE.net>]

Aus loco discussion mailing list

I think that common denominator here might be that the diesel engines
concerned are of the indirect injection type, which are usually harder to
start than the more prevalent direct injection type, hence the glowplugs.
The Cat D series engines, like the D398, used Cat's own precombustion
chamber system.  And I think that the early Paxman models, like the RPH,
used a Ricardo swirl chamber - the change to direct injection might have
happened with the later YHXL model.  Cat didn't make a general switch to
direct injection until the 1980s.

The ignition quality (cetane number) of the fuel can be a factor, as well.
However, supposedly the prechamber Cats were unfussy on fuel quality.  On
the other hand, some British diesel engines, even direct injection (e.g.
some naturally aspirated Gardner models) were quite fussy in this regard,
and cetane numbers as high as 52 were preferred for adequate cold starting
performance.

Steve P.


----- Original Message -----
From: Melanie J. Dennis <meld.asg@netspeed.com.au>
To: 'Aus loco discussion mailing list' <Ausloco@listbot.com>
Sent: March 31, 2000 05:14 AM
Subject: Cold Starting techniques


Aus loco discussion mailing list

Emu Bay Railway's 0-8-0DH No.21 has a V12 530hp Paxman motor - an LPG gas
torch flame blown directly into a couple of the cylinders was (and probably
still is) mandatory for cold weather starts.

Similarly, the 700hp Caterpillar-powered '11' class had an extra 8 volt
battery fitted so that starting was done on 32 volts then switched back to
24 volts for normal operation.  A squirt of ether from a pressure pack into
the air filter inlet also helped.

Melanie Dennis
Australian Steam Group

-----Original Message-----
From: John Regan [SMTP:reganjd@clear.net.nz]
Sent: Friday, 31 March, 2000 2:43 PM
To: Aus loco discussion mailing list
Subject: Re: Cooks River Yard Now!!

Aus loco discussion mailing list

We had a class of Mitsubishi locos fitted with D398 V12 cat motors.  On
frosty mornings they used to require a decent belt of glow plug prior to
cranking, especially if they had been sitting for a while and were cold.
Upon cranking they would rotate a couple of times to get the heat in the
cylinders for the combustion then  burst into life on one pot or if you were
lucky two pots.  Undescribable noises would emit from the motor along with
belching black smoke and unburnt fuel (bad news if you were standing next to
it in your clean uniform!) aswell as the whole loco would shudder and rock.
Once firing on one pot it was possible to release the starters.
Eventually the rest of the cylinders would fire but it was an impressive
exercise.  First impression was the motor was going to fly to bits but AFAIK
none ever did on start up.

John Regan
reganjd@clear.net.nz
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND

+64 3 338 4260 (home)
+64 21 362 143 (mobile)
ICQ #15462976

"GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY - GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL!"


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