Will it start or won't it
 

OK. Its supposed to be -22*F here in Omaha on Saturday morning. Anyone want to put in a bet on whether my diesel will start and whether or not the fuel will gel?

Is that the wind chill, or actual temp? I think it's going down to -10 here Saturday morning. I'm going to take my diesel out, but I keep it in my garage at night on a battery tender. Let us know either way.

Craig

That would be the actual temp. :thumbdown Wind chill is -35 or so.
The garage in my condo building is covered but not heated and open to the wind from one north and west.

It should start.

Might run a bit rough, but my bet is it will start. It doesn't need much heat to bring the fuel up to prime operating temp.

The fuel filter is heated, and anything in the fuel line should instantly liquify if it had gelled.

Does anyone know of any 35d that actually has refused to start outright. I've heard of some running a bit rough until they're up to operating temp, but that's not the end of the world?

My 2-cents, but If I'm wrong I will not be surprised.

Might want to consider an engine block heater. You're pushing the envelope there (engine blocks do still crack, believe it or not) The battery tender is not needed, as long as you drive it once per day for a reasonable distance. I won't hurt, but it's really not required unless you're seeing those temps for a week at a time, and only driving the car 1 or 2 miles per day.

We were at -6 yesterday morning, the truck ran like a champ.

Coldest weather I've seen was -18 in my 335xi last year. Ran fine.

It was -4 here the other day, mine ran a little rough until the engine warmed up. One of the worst things, the X5 does not have a temp. gauge.

The dealer and BMW both told me to keep mine on a battery tender. BMW said I need to drive it on the highway in order to keep the battery charged. I find it unacceptable, but have taken their advice...

Craig

Wind chill does not affect machines.

Craig, your dealer is mistaken and probably knows nothing about what chemical reactions take place within a battery.

Keep your RPMs above 1k for over 10 minutes per day, and you'll be fine. If you're at idle or not above 1k for more than 10 mins. per day, maybe consider the battery tender.

Most modern vehicles cycle their alternators on and off at specific RPM ranges to lessen the load on their engines, creating smoother idle performance.

I have no idea what BMWs set their alternator to start at, but specifically driving on the freeway, is no different to the battery than idling the car at 2k rpms in the driveway for 10 mins.

The issue at hand is the amount of time spent driving the vehicle at a speed in which the alternator is charging the battery; that's it.

Find a new service advisor...

IMO Craig's SA gave very practical advice. About the only time a 35d engine is normally running at or above 2k RPM is on the highway.

BTW a 35d idles at under 1k rpm. In fact, mine idles closer to 600rpm and is rarely above 2k rpm for more than a few seconds unless it is on the highway. So suggesting that a 35d owner could IDLE their engine in their driveways at 2k rpm for 10 minutes to keep thier batteries charged is not very practical.

Funf Dreisig

10mins won't even replace what is used by one start!