Cold weather start...

Speeddog · December 18, 2009, 06:55:02 AM

As far as getting the running temp up, you can make a cover for your oil cooler, that'll help.

My S4 has been uncooperative on starting in the low 30* range, but it doesn't really get colder than that here, so no FHE below that.

Some kind of 'block heater' would certainly help, but I've got no idea where you might get one.
Perhaps the hardy souls over at ADVrider may have some info.

LowThudd · December 18, 2009, 09:26:15 AM

This may seem like a strange idea, but what about a heating pad on the tank or heated blanket to cover the bike.

Dents · December 21, 2009, 02:14:29 AM

I'm from Wisconsin and I have a 99 900 with FCRs and get my bike started with a block heater. Of course you have to bungee it up to the block since the magnet doesn't work. If your using it to commute to work however I don't know how you'll get home.

He Man · December 21, 2009, 08:26:54 AM

This is all i can think of...

If you are using 93, (which is the wrong fuel) switch to 87. A lower octane requires lower compression and heat to combust.

Try running hotter plugs, each spark will be hotter, maybe that will help the fuel ignite.

Try playing around with the fast idle. Since it isnt a choke and it wont act like a choke, and your better off not using it until the bike is actually on.

Try a battery that has a higher CCA. Cold temps usually drop a batterys CCA, and it may be sufficently cold that the battery cant produce enough juice (though this is unlikely)

If your battery is good, you can try making a switch between your headlight and battery. Shut the headlight off when you start the bike.

Last but not least, make sure your bike isnt losing compression for some reason. My S2R1k starts slower in the cold, but it still starts in 20-30degree weather.

Are you running a fuel management system? I find that my 1k with a rapid bike is much harder to start in the winter than it is in the summer. If your bike is running very lean due to intake/exhaust mods, it will only exaggerate the problem. without adding fuel, try throwing your airbox back in.

If you need someone to make a heat sheild for your oil cooler PM me. I have spare 24gauge Stainless steel sheets and i need to make one for myself instead of using duct tape.

Also, there are reusable instant heat packs that are the size of hand warmers. THey last about 20mins -2 hours depending on the air temp. You boil them to put energy back in, and you flick them and they will heat up to about 140degrees instantly. The local shop sells em for $15 bucks for 2. Maybe you can make a pouch that lets you place these things onto the intake.

OR last but not least, you can get heated grips and wrap the grips around your throtle bodies. But they consume a lot of power and will probably kill your battery, because if i turn them on and try to start the bike, the bike pretty much will crank it self dead. not enough amps on hte batt.

Qfactor · December 21, 2009, 09:23:09 AM

Looked at the heated pads on the TBs, no enough room to wrap anything to induce significant heat efficiently.

for now, I fabbed up an extension for my battery tender tails so I can jump the bike without having to lift the tank. But I haven't needed it yet. Bike's been starting on the 2nd cycle or so. It may have been linked to humidity in the chambers...

Q

LowThudd · December 22, 2009, 12:14:42 AM

Mabey these can help you guys up north. I haven't thought about running veggie oil in my Benz for a while, so I forgot about them.

Injector line/filter heaters

http://www.fattywagons.com/fwproducts.htm

Howie · December 22, 2009, 01:29:22 AM

Quote from: LowThudd on December 22, 2009, 12:14:42 AM
Mabey these can help you guys up north. I haven't thought about running veggie oil in my Benz for a while, so I forgot about them.

Injector line/filter heaters

http://www.fattywagons.com/fwproducts.htm

8 amp draw on your motorcycle battery that is barely able to crank your bike over in cold weather is not good, nor is raising the temperature of your gasoline to 200^oF. Gasoline will boil at approximately 100-400^oF, depending on blending, winter blend closer to the lower number. Now, for your Mercedes with the big battery that is running veggie oil, great idea. Even better is to simply start it on deisel, then switch over to veggie oil.

LowThudd · December 22, 2009, 02:02:58 AM

Quote from: howie on December 22, 2009, 01:29:22 AM
8 amp draw on your motorcycle battery that is barely able to crank your bike over in cold weather is not good, nor is raising the temperature of your gasoline to 200^oF. Gasoline will boil at approximately 100-400^oF, depending on blending, winter blend closer to the lower number. Now, for your Mercedes with the big battery that is running veggie oil, great idea. Even better is to simply start it on deisel, then switch over to veggie oil.

I was thinking maybe you could use it on the oil filter/cooler or Throttle bodies. But, I guess your right. Too much draw. I like to run Biodiesel when I can get it in my MB, in socal no need to heat anything. Smells like deep fried Edemame.

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Cold weather start...