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Pull starting a diesel?
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:20 pm
by RockyF75
Does it work?
Heard about jacking up a rear wheel, wrapping a rope/snatch strap around it, and pulling it. Any one actually tried it

Do you pull it while its in gear, or get it spinning and then throw it into gear?
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:29 pm
by mickyd555
you can do an easy mod by pulling the pull starter off your Victa mower and installing it in between the tail shaft and the pinion.
works well
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:33 pm
by RockyF75
That sounds a bit extreme for what I'm thinking. Just looking for an easy way to getting going if there's no hills to roll down or no one around to push.
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:36 pm
by mickyd555
RockyF70 wrote:
That sounds a bit extreme for what I'm thinking. Just looking for an easy way to getting going if there's no hills to roll down or no one around to push.

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:05 pm
by j-top paj

if you do it make sure you get pics

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:11 pm
by Patroler
Damn man, just get a second battery - or even make sure the one youve got is in good nick, make sure the charging system is good, an the starter works good - get it recoed if need be, ya just doin it tough any other way...
Re: Pull starting a diesel?
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:12 pm
by cloughy
RockyF70 wrote:Does it work?
Heard about jacking up a rear wheel, wrapping a rope/snatch strap around it, and pulling it. Any one actually tried it

Do you pull it while its in gear, or get it spinning and then throw it into gear?
WTF

Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:48 pm
by grimbo
so why are you wanting to do this? Has your vehicle stopped? Are your glow plugs working, battery ok etc or is this just a hypothetical question? Maybe some more info
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:59 pm
by nicbeer
ever tried push starting a diesel? ShortyIQ hard. or at least a 60s is.
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:04 pm
by shorty_f0rty
i have manage to start my bj by rolling about 5mtrs down a slight driveway.. needed a mate to get me up that first though...
if you have an edic motor disconnect that first, or whatever your diesel uses to control fuel (some use edic to run,stop and overfuel on starting).. and make sure the injector is in the run position. (i removed the rod from the edic to the injector pump, defaulting to run position).
helps if your engine has started already and doesnt need to glow, otherwise get a few kettles full of boiling water and pour that over your cylinder head.
put it in a high gear, i think i used 3rd, clutch in get rolling or get a tow, once you have a bit of speed or your at the bottom of your hill, pop the clutch in gear and she SHOULD get going..
i had to rollstart my 40 when i fried my voltage regulator.. i had absolutely NO electrics, no indicators, no tunes :( and no brake lights.. but i could still drive it home to fix.. after a hill start.
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:09 pm
by j-top paj
are you talking bout in an offroad scenario? if so why not just hook the strap to another vehicle and get towed?
or are you just curious if it will work?
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:10 pm
by RockyF75
grimbo wrote:so why are you wanting to do this? Has your vehicle stopped? Are your glow plugs working, battery ok etc or is this just a hypothetical question? Maybe some more info
well, its a bit involved.
but since you asked.
I'm broke. Starting new job next week, need car to get around, and to work next week. Battery might be getting close to dead but I don't think so, the alternator does not charge as well as it should, thats a known fact, and basically, every 2-3 days lately I'm having to call NRMA. Its a PITA. and if I can just get it going myself it will be much easier/quicker (especially next week as I'll be leaving about 5:30am and NRMA wont be happy having to get out of bed that early!). Glow plugs have recently been replaced, cause it was getting hard to start and draining what little juice the battery had. Also got head troubles so that cant be helping the starting process either.
Also got no hills around here to use so that makes it more annoying
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:12 pm
by j-top paj
you cant connect a battery charger onto it overnight?
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:13 pm
by shorty_f0rty
sounds dodge.. get a new battery or get a pushie!
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:12 pm
by midi73
Yes it will work. But I wouldnt recomend it. If it falls of the jack. Presto away she goes , and damage and possibly injury aplenty.
Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:14 pm
by fullmetaljacket
park it on some car ramps, might just give you enough roll to get it goin
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:25 am
by bazzle
Roll start in a higher gear or you might damage clutch.
3rd?
Bazzle
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:09 pm
by j-top paj
yeh 2nd or 3rd could be the go off some ramps maybe? has the battery got enough charge to heat the plugs?
Re: Pull starting a diesel?
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:18 pm
by Mowie
RockyF70 wrote:Does it work?
Heard about jacking up a rear wheel, wrapping a rope/snatch strap around it, and pulling it. Any one actually tried it

Do you pull it while its in gear, or get it spinning and then throw it into gear?

I've never heard of doing that and it sounds farking dangerous. No LSD in your 4by I'd hope

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:48 pm
by r0ck_m0nkey
If you're concerned about your battery, throw some Inox Battery Conditioner in it. Only costs a few dollars and might be enough to get you out of crap for now.
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:07 pm
by grazza
r0ck_m0nkey wrote:If you're concerned about your battery, throw some Inox Battery Conditioner in it. Only costs a few dollars and might be enough to get you out of crap for now.
Inox after the battery is on its way out may really stuff it.
Inox should be put in when new to extend the life - not fix one with plates that are on the way out.
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:17 pm
by r0ck_m0nkey
grazza wrote:Inox after the battery is on its way out may really stuff it.
Thats the whole point of the stuff. The newer the battery the better it works in terms of longetivity. But if it improves it for a month or two until he is settled in his job, then it's worth it for the $7.
He's already needing the NRMA to get him started on a very regular basis, so i can't see it stuffing to much up.
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:24 pm
by j-top paj
i think the battery charger would still be his best/cheapest option
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:13 pm
by Lux_89
i tried t clutch start my 2.8 diesel at over just 10km'ph and it wouldnt start in 3rd. thats wen i killed the battery wen i decided id leave the lights on all day at tafe

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:02 pm
by macca81
iv roll started mine on a very small slope in reverse, and iv roll started it at 100kph in 4th... i really realyy REALLY dont NOT at all recomend the 2nd option... its not a smooth start by any means...
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:11 pm
by cloughy
I had to roll start my 6.2 chev diesel I had in a rangie when it snapped the starter motor bolts, also 4,2 diesel patrols and numerous diesel things, its not that hard just make sure you glow heaps and usually 2nd gear
As for the rest of the ideas though, I sincerely hope you dont work on your own cars

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:21 pm
by Shadow
macca81 wrote:iv roll started mine on a very small slope in reverse, and iv roll started it at 100kph in 4th... i really realyy REALLY dont NOT at all recomend the 2nd option... its not a smooth start by any means...
I pull started my 60 series diesel at 50km/h behind a 4x2 hilux and it was a very smooth start.
3rd gear.
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:25 pm
by turps
I have seen it tried on a LC80. But even with a crap LSD it wouldnt fire. It sounded like it was close but not close enough. I think if you had an open diff it maybe possible but it is still a two person job atleast. But I think 3would be a min. 1 in the drivers seat and 2 to pull the strap.
But for the job. Get a $20 batt charger.
As for roll starting. My Diesel swb GQ was piss easy to roll start. I used to be able to do it myself on pretty much flat ground in in either 2nd or Rev. It got started more in rev than in any forwards gear.
Pays not to play in deep mud it does bad things to starters and alt's.
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:45 pm
by zagan
Battery charger or...
Goto super cheap or anywhere.
and buy a mid sized portable jump starter, I have 2 of these, they are the best thing invented, connect it up turn the key and off you go no waiting no messing around with jumper cables or scewing other peoples EFI cars to get yours started.
for a diesel you'll want something decent but mid sized is 600amps to 800amps, they are around the $50 mark maybe cheaper or dearer.
You can simply charge it up over night in your house nice and simple and you can use it on anything also have 12volt plugs as well for running stuff if needed.
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:56 pm
by Dozoor
Done it with a zook .
Not going to elaborate stuff like this is done only in extreme circumstances where there is no back up .
you'd need to be a big sucker to get anything else running.
