Starting a diesel in the Snow and Cold

[Pubbloke]

Is there a better way to start a diesel in the cold and snow. I have a 2.5 and it is taking some getting going in the morning. I have tried switching it on and waiting for the glow plug light to go out then off and on again 3 times before cranking but it does seem to be worse after leaving it over night. During the day after it has been run in the morning it seems to start up easier.

I only got the car in october, would it be worth changing the glow plugs?

Boyond this problem this is the first time I have had a 4x4 and with the off road tyres it seems like a god send in the current conditions and rally leaves a on my face when I get to work.

[Drift]

Dip the clutch pedal at start up, if no better its very likely time to change the glow plugs

[Rifleman]

Ive had the same problem with my 2.5 mate.
Open the bonnet, pump the handprimer until it goes hard.
Turn the ignition on until the heater light goes out, turn off.
Turn back on and do this for 3 or 4 times to really heat everything up.
Try starting, it should fire up.
Worth changing the glow plugs though for peace of mind.
As Ste says, try starting with the clutch pedal on the floor to minimise the effort for the engine.

[huggy]

same problem with mine,was down to the fuel filter,fitted a new filter yesterday and all is fine now

[Nottingham]

hi matey, pretty much as in the above comments - i.e. use clutch pedal, possibly change glow plugs & fuel filter, check battery - it may look good but this doesn't mean, it provides enough power.

Another tip might be to put a couple of litres of petrol into your tank, when you fill it up completetly. We used to do this, when the temperatures dropped (-20'C were not unusual abroad) it helps to keep the Diesel flowing. Might be a long shot but you never know.

[Rifleman]

You'll find that diesel doesn't really freeze these days though because of the additives it contains. I know some people still do this though.

[zetorpilot]

Here, where it gets really cold, virtually every car has a block heater - one of the core plugs is taken out and replaced with a plug that has a kettle type element in it. These are left plugged in via a time switch, so that the heater comes on an hour or two before you want to start the car. That's the green lead in my only frontera photo:

[Pubbloke]

Thanks everyone for the replys, I always start with foot on the clutch and I have had the battery checked at an auto electricians and that is fine and they said the glow plugs are working ok, they seem to think the evac pipes (or something to do with the fuel system) need replacing or the starter motor is on its way out.

On a morning it will crank over 5-6 times then just ticks then if I turn off and on again it will crank over again 5-6 times before it just ticks and sometimes it just ticks. But as it was all warmed up they couldn't give me more than a possibility of that being the problem but I am beginging to think because of the cold weather and the extra effort it is taking to start they could be right and it is the starter.

[Pubbloke]

[Rifleman]

It sits above the fuel filter mate. A round dome, grey in colour.
Under the windscreen, passenger side.

[Drift]

Grey round bit is the primer button.

[Pubbloke]

Thanks, will give it a go in the mornign if I hve the same problems see if it makes a difference.

[huggy]

damn,mine wouldnt start again this morning,not fun trying to bump start a lwb,tested each glow plug and number 4 was down,fitted a spare i had so will have to wait now until morning to see if the problem is cured.

[Rifleman]

If one was down mate, replace with 4 brand new ones.
Never replace just one, especially with a spare.

[huggy]

[Rifleman]

[huggy]

well mine still wont start,the hand pump on the filter housing seems to do nothing,when i open the filler cap i hear alot of air gush in,is there a tank breather on the 2.5?

[Drift]

Take the fuel line off and dip it in a just of diesel, see if it starts, if it does you know its a leak further back.

[huggy]