College, winter, and an old worn out diesel

[TWeatherford]

Got my car back on the road yesterday for the first time in two months. I had been doing a lot of stuff to it, including a much needed banjo bolt cleaning, PS fluid and filter, transmission oil and filter, wheel refinishing, and a two tank WVO system. It was 11 degrees yesterday morning, plugged in the block heater for an hour (was at home) and trickle charged the battery at the same time for good measure. Car started first crank. Ran the 180 mile trip down to school, all is well. Parked it in the structure. Today it was 19, of course no block heater being at school. Double glow, crank slowly, then slower, and no start. I was pretty bummed about that. So I rode the bike to work (like I've been doing).

I have decent compression, I have not done a test but when I remove the oil filler cap when the car is fully warm, and set it on top of there, it doesn't move at all. I've cold started with no block heater below freezing before. Glowplugs are fine, as is the relay (checked using Dieselgiants page). My battery gives out almost 12 volts cold, I would consider replacing it except that I am a broke college student. Same with the starter: if I have to replace it I'm just going to bike and drive in warmer weather. One problem is that I have the regular 15W40 oil in it, I've only driven 4,000 miles since I got the car in August so I haven't quite gotten to the 3,000 mile mark yet. After some scouting out, I have discovered exactly three light poles with plugs in them, all in one little lot that always seems to be full. I don't think plugging in is an option.

Here is what I am thinking of doing. I'll get a nice little rubbermaid battery box, and bring it into the dorm room after I'm done driving for the day. Then put in the nice warm, happy battery for start up. My main concern for this is is it very dangerous for in the dorm? I know these things occasionally blow up, but there shouldn't be any spark near it if I have just the battery sitting in the box alone (no metal or anything). I'll also try to find a way to put some lighter oil in it, I have the tools, I'll just jerry rig a catch pan (and I've even got a funnel, so I can pour the old stuff back in the jugs from what I put in to take to the recycler). Do you think these two measures will help? Like I said, the car starts fine if it is just a little warmer, and I have very little money so if it needs a new battery, starter, and altenator to start right I'll just ride the bike and drive when its warm enough to start.

Thanks.