Universal 54-11 Cold Starting

[Dave Ullrich]

I have a 1983 Cat 30 with a raw cooled Univeral 5411 (11hp). For the first start of the weekend I have to switch on the glow plus for about 15 seconds before starting. It doesn't seem to matter whether it is a cool March morning or a blistering hot August afternoon. But if the glow plugs are used the engine start within 2-3 second of crtanking, sometimes less and after the first start of the day it starts very quickly without any aditional glos plugging. Is this normal?

 

[Gordon Torresen]

Ahead of the game

What you describe for a 17 year old 5411 is extraordinary. Many engines of that age require 30 seconds, or more, of glow to start the first time of the day and quite a few require glow plugs on every start. Your engine should live for many more years.