More issues with our Unimog in the cold weather 

Hey Chad glad you finally got it started! A few observations/suggestions. (Sorry in advance that it is so long…) I doubt your fuel gelled. Fuel sold on cold climates already has anti gel but it certainly can’t hurt to use a bit more. If you had SoCal fuel in there maybe but normally modern fuel does not gel unless it gets really cold like -15 -20. It’s possible, but unlikely, especially since the Unimog finally started at similar temps. If you suspect fuel gelling or contaminated fuel always look at the little fuel bowl by the injector pump. That’s what it is for. If the fuel is not gelled in there then 95% chance it is not gelled anywhere else. Also if you pump the primer and hear the fuel you will also know it is flowing. If it does have gelling, you need to get both the fuel filters warm first because they will be clogged. If you don’t ungel the filter it doesn’t matter what you do in the tank. Power Service makes a product called SOS that breaks through the crystals and helps ungel the fuel. In an emergency if you fill both fuel filters with it and put more in the tank, you can clear up gelled fuel down to about -40. I always have a few bottle of the SOs just incase. Unimogs can be a bit reluctant to start but I have started them in negative teens Fahrenheit without ether. First, don’t pump the gas. That works on gasoline engines with carbs but not diesels. Instead push the pedal down about 3/4 to full and keep it there while you crank over the engine. Based on the videos I think it would have started just with more throttle. Also push in the clutch completely so you are not turning over the gearbox. As recommended turn it over 30+/- seconds or so but if it starts to start keep turning it over. This can take a bit of time but if your batteries are good it should start before they die. Once it starts do not let off the gas pedal and hold it at about 1000 rpm for at least a minute or so. Be prepared, it may suddenly rev once it warms up, just ease of the throttle and keep it at 1000 rpm. I’ve started these engines in the -teens pretty regularly but a good strong battery is crucial. If it does not start then you should use some ether. However ether in the air snorkel won’t have a good chance to work unless you really put a lot down there but then you risk using too much. Instead loosen the air intake hose after the air filter and spray some in there, the little straws for the spray nozzle help. Otherwise spray some in though the drainage bulb at the bottom of the air cleaner. Give it a good squirt, one second or so, but don’t go crazy. The engine will definitely start with ether. If for some reason it does not start the first time, use the ether again after you cranked it over and/or give it a blast while it is spinning. Once it starts on ether make sure you give it enough gas to keep running. It will die if you don’t have enough throttle after the ether wears off. I normally keep the engine running at 1500+ until they smooth out. I usually let the engines run for 10 -15 minutes just to let them warm up a bit. If you plan on a lot of cold starts, you can also modify the start pilote to just let you inject ether into the intake. The amount of smoke is normal, even when it was really smokey. It’s not fully combusting the fuel which is why it smokes so much and why it runs rough. It will run rough and very smokey but that is ok. You definitely have an exhaust leak but I wouldn’t worry too much about that, it doesn’t effect the performance or the starting. Your starter is just the starter motor gear not engaging with the flywheel. As you said, probably a sticky solenoid or bendix. Based on the temps and the fact it unstuck itself, I wouldn’t worry about it. It happens occasionally on most of my Unimogs. If it happens a lot you might need a new solenoid or you may have to clean up and lubricate the bendix. If it sticks out in the middle of no where, try hitting (not too hard) the solenoid and/or motor with a hammer. That often frees them up.

If you want to use the mog in cold weather use a engine heater to save on the engine. I newer pump more then 2-3 times on the gas pedal (if i dont need the heater) and newer pump the gas when it starts that can be expensive 🙄 I was lucky mine had one when i bought it. I have a short on my youtube when trying it out, it also smokes alot lol

By the air intake in the motor. There is a valve. Open that and put starter spray in that valve. It's by the air filter. On the right side. That's what my husband did in the cold. It started right away. He also treated the fuel so it wouldn't become sludge

I kept on screaming ether, ether, ether right into the engine side of the air filter. Concerning the anti gel, Lucas say 16oz for your 70 gallon fuel tank, but you have to either add it whilst filling with fuel to get the liquid dispersed or stir it with a clean stick.

TachAuch Zusammen, We have fixed a extra Heater.Webasto for Example. It warmes the Engine through the Water System. No Problems starting in Cold Weather. Do this and you will Never have Problems. Its Starts Good and is Good for the Engine. Best Invent and our First invent. CU Silke❤Jo

It sounded to me like the solenoid was sticking, as you could hear the starter motor whirring but not engaging with the teeth on the flywheel. Might be cold weather related 🤷🏻‍♂️ Also, I know we’ve chatted about the cold start issue, but I wonder whether an injector or two is slightly blocked. The white smoke must be un burnt diesel fuel and I think I’d try a bottle of injector cleaner in the tank also. Just guessing TBH though.

I don’t think these engines have glow plugs, but some had either systems to aid cold weather starts.

Love the hair at 7:00 😂

Maybe another diesel heater to warm the engine?

So am I … hate the cold

I have literally stolen Chad’s quote and use it all the time . Time stamp 13:45!! 😂❤

If you got gel problem at just below freezing, your diesel over there quite frankly is shite! What do your 18 wheelers do in winter?