Diesel: Cold Weather Start?

I did a seasonal job at UPS last Christmas season, and in the morning one of the delivery truck drivers tried to start his vehicle for about 5 minutes without success. There was smoke everywhere from the starter brushes burning, and I got so uncomfortable I called him out on it and told him it's not going to work. A manager came by and did something to start it in one try. I wonder what he did.

I did a seasonal job at UPS last Christmas season, and in the morning one of the delivery truck drivers tried to start his vehicle for about 5 minutes without success. There was smoke everywhere from the starter brushes burning, and I got so uncomfortable I called him out on it and told him it's not going to work. A manager came by and did something to start it in one try. I wonder what he did.

Could be it was a new driver and he didn't know how to properly start a diesel engine. On some trucks, I have 4 Ford pick ups with the 7.3 diesel, you need wait for the start engine light to go out, my trucks have glow plugs that preheat for easier engine starting in cold weather. I'm not sure if the big trucks use glow plugs, I know that Dodge pick ups don't have them Just my 2 cents

I'd take a bet he shot some ether in the breather. Commonly sold as "Starter Fluid".

Dodge uses a device called a grid heater.but little trucks aside most diesel engines have something to assist in starting in cold weather.starting fluid although sometimes needed is a last resort in a diesel engine

I'd take a bet he shot some ether in the breather. Commonly sold as "Starter Fluid".

Also known as" That will be $3500 dollars for a new turbo that you burnt out with starter fluid. "