6.2l M998 engine noise audio -- sound of typical cold start, or problem?

[M998 NYC]

My 6.2l M998's been running great for a few years. Noticed a bit of a chaffing sound at start on cold days more recently -- not sure if it's getting worse or if it's just the cold.
Link to audio during 20 degree startup, waiting for glow plugs of course.
Could the plugs be the problem? Anything that jumps out? Thanks in advance for any feedback...

 

[Action]

Are you waiting for the WAIT light to go out before you start it? You mentioned “waiting for glow plugs” ???

 

[M998 NYC]

Are you waiting for the WAIT light to go out before you start it? You mentioned “waiting for glow plugs” ???

Yes, waiting the full time until the light goes out

 

[twisted60]

Sounds like not all cylinders firing, I'd check your glow plugs. My wait light functioned normally but start sounded funny, I checked all my glow plugs and 5 were no good. Or being that cold is your diesel in good shape, no moisture causing ice ?

 

[M998 NYC]

Sounds like not all cylinders firing, I'd check your glow plugs. My wait light functioned normally but start sounded funny, I checked all my glow plugs and 5 were no good. Or being that cold is your diesel in good shape, no moisture causing ice ?

didn't think about moisture causing ice, hopefully not the case. I'll test the glow plugs first. thanks for your 2 cents

 

[twisted60]

didn't think about moisture causing ice, hopefully not the case. I'll test the glow plugs first. thanks for your 2 cents

Easy way to check them is with a multi meter 1.5-5 ohms = good, don't need to remove glow plug just pull connector off, attach pos from multi meter to bullet on glow plug and touch neg of multi meter to base of glow plug.

 

[M998 NYC]

Easy way to check them is with a multi meter 1.5-5 ohms = good, don't need to remove glow plug just pull connector off, attach pos from multi meter to bullet on glow plug and touch neg of multi meter to base of glow plug.

appreciate the info on checking, found an older SS post that verifies this.
Another symptom I didn't mention earlier is a lot of smoke at start. Indicative of a very cold start I guess...

 

[twisted60]

Color of smoke ? If I remember white smoke is unburnt fuel. I'd double check that to be sure.

 

[M998 NYC]

Color of smoke ? If I remember white smoke is unburnt fuel. I'd double check that to be sure.

interesting.. the smoke's white

 

[M998 NYC]

Color of smoke ? If I remember white smoke is unburnt fuel. I'd double check that to be sure.

"If white smoke occurs during a startup in freezing temperatures, then goes away, it usually indicates frozen deposits of soot which expanded around the rings then burned away once the engine warmed up. The use of glow plugs during cold startsand/or the use of a flushing solvent to remove engine sludge is recommended."
exactly as you said. I'll have to look into it more deeply. thanks again

 

[M998 NYC]

Just to follow up -- this was in fact the glow plugs causing the issue. The white smoke (unburnt fuel) is a good indicator at startup.

The plugs were a pain to remove but there are vids online to help.