Some Like It Hot
This story first appeared in Vintage Truck Magazine. "Jack Lemon's estate might sue us over the title," chided editor Brad Bowling. I haven't been served a summons as yet.
Part of the purpose of this installment is to assure our new neighbor to the west that we are not in the least bothered by his monster dump truck starting at first light on these frigid mornings. My wife, Stephanie, aka the Old Hippie Bus Driver, understands Diesel engines. If I haven't caught on by now after over 30 years of repairing them, I should probably grow my hair long, move to Mt. Shasta, beat on drums and sell crystal pyramid charms. Anyway, our neighbor's daily ritual has become part of our early morning entertainment.
With the first light of dawn comes the chuckle of the big engine's starter: chuffa-chuffa. White, unburned fuel mist floats across the frost-covered field between us. The mist is cold and heavy, so falls to the ground before reaching our place. The big flywheel turns faster and faster as the first cylinder reaches ignition temperature and fires: BOOMPF!
So, who likes it hot? A Diesel engine. Ignition in a Diesel engine is accomplished by suddenly decreasing the space in which the fuel/air mixture is contained. Due to something known as the Carnot Principle, heat is momentarily produced. The heat is quickly disbursed into the cold metal cylinder walls, thus a high ambient temperature is most helpful. In cold-weather, a Diesel engine starts one cylinder at a time.