Cold weather Diesel starting.
- Thread starter TexasTJ
- Start date
TexasTJ
Climbing Nerd
The battery is getting charged. I have no idea where the water separator is so I have drain it. I have not replaced the diesel fuel filter as it is still sitting on my workbench. I do not know how to tell if the glow plugs work or not. It still has the old V-8 in-line fuel filter on it which I changed in May as it clogged. More what I ment about stumbling around a V8 is I know how to work on them. I know nothing about Deisel motors. It's just cold here that's the only reason it's not starting I'm sure. This is the first time in the two years I've owned the truck that it has dropped in to the sub freezing for more than an hour.
LR Max
Local Oaf
First off, I don't think it is your battery. If your battery was bad, your starter wouldn't engage. I assume your starter is spinning like it normally does (unless it is now magically super slow).
I'm going to say glow plugs are the issue. I've seen a 200TDI crank at 5F without any other starting aids. I think if ambient is at 15F or higher, you don't need a block heater, etc. That said, they do make a dipstick heater that would be quick and easy to install.
Overall, I feel like something is wrong with the glow plug circuit because it sounds like NONE of the glow plugs are working. I would recommend getting out your test light and seeing if there is electricity even getting to the glow plugs. Start there, and then work your way down.
As for the fuel and water bits, look for your fuel filter. It'll either be on the firewall in the engine bay or in the passenger rear wheel well. Look for a spin-on oil filter with something that looks like a wheel at the bottom. Get a bucket, and turn the wheel. It'll drain out the water. Drain until you see diesel.
Also side note, it never hurts to change filters in a diesel. They like fresh filters. Oil. Fuel. Air. Don't be shy about replacing these.
Yeah the diesel 911 seems to be a good additive. Helps clean out crap. There was another additive I remember that helps remove water from the tank and gets it trapped in the filter. Its been years, but it is also a good one.
If memory serves, the 200 and 300 TDI are self priming. So if you want to re-prime the system, use your ignition key. That should help make things easier.
Speaking of fuel, how old is the diesel in it? If its older than 6 months, it probably isn't helping. However if its within a month, then its probably fine unless you pumped some bad ju ju at the station (which happens).
I'm going to say glow plugs are the issue. I've seen a 200TDI crank at 5F without any other starting aids. I think if ambient is at 15F or higher, you don't need a block heater, etc. That said, they do make a dipstick heater that would be quick and easy to install.
Overall, I feel like something is wrong with the glow plug circuit because it sounds like NONE of the glow plugs are working. I would recommend getting out your test light and seeing if there is electricity even getting to the glow plugs. Start there, and then work your way down.
As for the fuel and water bits, look for your fuel filter. It'll either be on the firewall in the engine bay or in the passenger rear wheel well. Look for a spin-on oil filter with something that looks like a wheel at the bottom. Get a bucket, and turn the wheel. It'll drain out the water. Drain until you see diesel.
Also side note, it never hurts to change filters in a diesel. They like fresh filters. Oil. Fuel. Air. Don't be shy about replacing these.
Yeah the diesel 911 seems to be a good additive. Helps clean out crap. There was another additive I remember that helps remove water from the tank and gets it trapped in the filter. Its been years, but it is also a good one.
If memory serves, the 200 and 300 TDI are self priming. So if you want to re-prime the system, use your ignition key. That should help make things easier.
Speaking of fuel, how old is the diesel in it? If its older than 6 months, it probably isn't helping. However if its within a month, then its probably fine unless you pumped some bad ju ju at the station (which happens).
proper4wd
Expedition Leader
Another thing you might do, if you need to get it started - disconnect the fuel solenoid wire to keep fuel from flowing. With a very fresh battery, crank the engine over for like 10-15 seconds. Pause, repeat. Reconnect fuel solenoid wire, try to start.
This will allow the engine to build a little heat by compression, without simultaneously filling the cylinders with fuel.
This will allow the engine to build a little heat by compression, without simultaneously filling the cylinders with fuel.
diesel
years ago I dated a girl from minnesnowta.
went over to her place one night and there sat her car battery on the kitchen table.
when I asked about it her reply was."silly boy every body knows to take their battery out of the cold.
when I change a battery now I always think of her.
good memories.
years ago I dated a girl from minnesnowta.
went over to her place one night and there sat her car battery on the kitchen table.
when I asked about it her reply was."silly boy every body knows to take their battery out of the cold.
when I change a battery now I always think of her.
good memories.
ersatzknarf
lost, but making time
Very good news !
I was going to mention about checking the glow plug relay.
Also, get on over to Defendersource as there is a lot of good information there.
If you have a mind to, adding an Espar (Eberspaecher) or Webasto coolant heater will make life a lot more pleasant in the winter.
At least, adding a plug in block heater will help. They can be ordered from places like Rovers North... or from the UK. You'll need to drain the coolant from the block and remove one of the freeze plugs to install.
Finally, consistently use a good quality fuel treatment such as Howe's. You should be able to find it at places like Menard's (best price I have found) or more likely at a truck stop.
DoKarider16
Observer
I have a 93 RRC with a 300 Tdi in it and I ski a lot. Mine would always be difficult to start in the cold until I replaced the starter with a high torque starter. It spins just a little faster than the old one did and the engine fires off way sooner. I bought the 3.1KW starter from Robert Davis over on the D90 source. I don't worry if my diesel will start anymore. I have had it as low as 10 degrees and had it start no problem. Making sure everything else is in good working order helps as well. The Tdi is pretty simple to figure out if given a little time.
hope this helps
Craig
hope this helps
Craig
Good news on the battery. How cold was it when it wouldn't start? In the case where it was the battery, synthetic engine oil or a block heater will go a long ways in getting it started. Without these things, it is harder for the engine to turn over and is a much higher draw on your battery. Also, my duramax I will cycles the glow plugs two times which seems to help.
You need to bypass the V8 filter--those paper filters are designed for gasoline, and may well swell like crazy with diesel and starve your engine. Get rid of it. It's useless, but not even that good. If you're running a good diesel filter at the stock location up on the bulkhead, that's plenty.
Provided you have a sediment. This should be mounted on the inside passenger (LHD) side frame rail back by the rear axle shock mount. Use LR part number NTC7696 for the mount (mounts to the shock bolts--dead easy) and get either a stock sedimenter, or one of the one Rob Davis sells over on defendersource (which is what I'm running, and am quite pleased--the stock ones are all-metal, which makes it hard to tell when you need to drain off water--rob sells glass or plastic bowl models). Sedimenter is important for keeping large particles and water from heading up toward your lift pump and final filter, helping both of those to last longer.
Last edited: