H1 in various seasons

[H1Pilot]

I live in Northern Idaho, about 80 miles south of the Canadian border. I use my H1 to pull my snowmobiles. I was in McCall, Idaho in January with beautiful sunny days, but the mercury was at -16F. My rig started every day without being plugged in. I would recomend plugging in however. As for you H1 owners in the south, all of the deisel pumps begin running a diesel blend from the pumps with 'anti-gel' beginning in Ocotber, November. I still put additive in mine if the temps look like they will drop below zero. My Dmax Chevy gel'd up on me when I was travelling down the interstate due to below zero temps compounded by wind chill.

One other point. A heated windshield is a must. My 2000 H1's defrost has a hard time keeping up in extreme cold. I turn on the heated windshield and crank my heater to keep me warm. I have a 92 H1 w/o a heated windshield, and it sucks to drive in the winter. I have to choose to either keep the windshield clear with the defrost or keep me warm with the heat.

[SELWA]

Good to hear about the different climates. I'm getting 95 wagon, with tinted windows and it the dark metallic green they had that year. I hope it doesn't take too long to get here!! However it would be prefect if I sold my car before it gets here!

[leenigen]

I don't want to contradict what everyone is saying but my '94 is a real pain to start below ~40 degrees. I've been tweaking a few things and its getting better but I'm still hesitant to go anywhere where there isn't a place to plug in when its below freezing. I'm guessing its something that can be fixed. I've never had a diesel this cranky before.

[SELWA]

I guess it's good we have a H3 just in case! I just bought and dowloaded the parts list and service manual. I also printed all 1600+ pages of them too!!! It's nice to have a network printer in my office!!

Once I get the H1 I'll go over it and may have another guy who works on them do the same for me. Heck maybe I can assist him in some stuff to learn more about it.

[H1Pilot]

Originally Posted by leenigen

I don't want to contradict what everyone is saying but my '94 is a real pain to start below ~40 degrees. I've been tweaking a few things and its getting better but I'm still hesitant to go anywhere where there isn't a place to plug in when its below freezing. I'm guessing its something that can be fixed. I've never had a diesel this cranky before.

Cold weather starting trick of the trade--Cycle your glow plugs. Turn your key on and when your 'wait' light goes out, turn the key off and then back on until the 'wait' light goes out, then start. You can cycle your plugs 3 or 4 times if necessary and it will not hurt anything. I learned this from my dad, a 20 year long haul truck driver. If this doesn't work, you may have a glow plug issue or just a plain-old cold blooded Hummer.

[SELWA]

Good info!! I'll need it when it gets cold up here! ANy problems in the heat? My H1 is coming from Arkansas and I'm not sure what the weathers like there during the seasons. It's been in the same state since 95!

[leenigen]

I've tried cycling my plugs a few times before and never had much luck. The second/third times they only stay on for a fraction of a second and starting is no different. All plugs and the controller are new. Compression is good. Any other hints?

[KenP]

Originally Posted by SELWA

Good info!! I'll need it when it gets cold up here! ANy problems in the heat? My H1 is coming from Arkansas and I'm not sure what the weathers like there during the seasons. It's been in the same state since 95!

Hot and humid in the summer.

Just curious, is there a solar powered block heater? Not sure if it'd be practicle, but the thought just hit me so I'm asking.

[SELWA]

Not sure about a solar block heater but at least my small solar panel I bought a few years ago might come in handy now.