Cold Weather Diesel Starting Problems

almerasaloon

almerasaloon

Its that time of year again when the same old problem raises its ugly head. It only happens when the car is left in cold temps (<5 degrees) overnight or longer. All the clicks happen as usual but when starting, either the engine turns over corrrectly and runs rough or the engine doesnt turn over fast enough but starts none the less, also accompanied by rough running for a few seconds. In all cases of cold starting, the engine has never failed to start but runs rough with idling rpm for about 5 seconds before stabilising itself. This is also accompanied by white smoke from the exhaust for the same 5 seconds.

checked so far is the air intake for leaks, the fuel pump for air leaks, appearently the injectors have been inspected and all are fine. The only thing I havent had checked are the glow plugs, but they were replaced just under 2 years ago.

Anybody any thoughts? especially any diesel guys out there. I dont think its that big a problem yet, but Im now starting to veer towards the starter motor/ soleniod side of things, but the strange thing is it only happens when cold. Once the engine idles for as little as 1 minutre, the engine can be restarted with no problem at all.
 
Hopefully its just the cold thats doing that. I check the oil level once a week and its never required a top up. Oil and coolant levels are stable. Im almost certain that neither system is leaking.
 
Cycle the igntion quite a number of times (without starting) and then try and start it.

If it is better, then you need new glow plugs.

If not, then you'll need to investigate more.

Try that and then get back to me.
 
Does sound like a problem with the wrong grade of oil. It's probably too thick when it's cold and bogging the engine down. Have you checked yer user manual and got the right stuff in? As for frozen fuel, i've never ever had any problems with this even using my Dci in Germany in minus 10.
 
Stick a new fuel filter in and use an additive to combat cold weather problems with diesel fuel :)
The reason for the new filter is that an already clogged filter will just add to cold starting misery.
 
DBull said:
Cycle the igntion quite a number of times (without starting) and then try and start it.

If it is better, then you need new glow plugs.

If not, then you'll need to investigate more.

Try that and then get back to me.
Click to expand...

Ive been doing this already in very cold weather, but only twice. I must cycle it a few more times and see it it helps anymore. Cycling twice, Im convinced does help a bit. Although, my last car was a 1.8 fiesta diesel and if I remember correctly, when its glow plugs needed replaced, the engine turned over and over for maybe 5-6 seconds before it started. This is different. When the problem is at its worst, it feels as if the engine starts prematurely, without having been cranked fast enough. Theres no positive cranking sound it that makes any sense.
 
I used to pre warm the glow plugs when staring my almera TDDI when it was cold, and never had much of a problem, but then it probably doesn't get as cold as it does in fife/aberdeen ;-), was on my list to get glow plugs done but at last service the guy said they looked fine, and they're pretty expensive....
 
New glow plugs installed last night and fingers crossed, all seems fine now. Cost £50 for the plugs. Was a 20 minute job changing them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom