Car won't start in the cold [Fuel Gelling 101]

whitedog · Jan 17, 2009

velociT · Jan 17, 2009

AAAAAAAAnd here's a pic of what you n00bs will be looking for at the auto parts store.

heuiinj · Jan 17, 2009

Also comes in 5 gallon cans for a better price. I have a couple from last year.

Best time to buy is summer prices..

newbury · Jan 18, 2009

velociT said:
AAAAAAAAnd here's a pic of what you n00bs will be looking for at the auto parts store.

And here's what you need to carry:

eGolf · Jan 18, 2009

... and here's how to extend your glow plug times in VAG-COM. Solved my hard start problem.

zimv20 · Jan 18, 2009

heuiinj said:
Best time to buy is summer prices..

how long is the shelf life?

NB_TDi · Jan 18, 2009

eGolf said:
... and here's how to extend your glow plug times in VAG-COM. Solved my hard start problem.

That won't help with gelled fuel. Which is what this thread is about.

-----

Be sure to buy fuel from a station that has a higher turn over rate. Don't buy from mom and pops corner gas just because you feel bad. Use at least 4oz of Power Service every fill. Try to keep your tank above half way too.

eGolf · Jan 18, 2009

meh, I was just reading the subject rather than the contents. My bad. I'll skulk back into lurker mode.

naturist · Jan 18, 2009

zimv20 said:
how long is the shelf life?

Uh, at least a year or two. More likely closer to a decade, but I doubt the MFR would claim that much. I don't recall ever seeing an expiration date on 'em.

Doug Huffman · Jan 18, 2009

whitedog said:
With the recent spat of cold weather

Spate. You might have a spat with the Missus., that is not a 'dog' I am sure.

whitedog · Jan 18, 2009

Doug Huffman said:
Spate. You might have a spat with the Missus., that is not a 'dog' I am sure.

This weather has made me mad is what I meant.

OK. Not really. I had the e the first time, but didn't like it. Thanks.

whitedog · Jan 25, 2009

Bumping it up as temperatures drop.

VeeDubTDI · Jan 25, 2009

Winter weather woes

Excellent thread, Tim. This thread should be a Sticky for the winter time.

VeeDubTDI · Jan 25, 2009

eGolf said:
... and here's how to extend your glow plug times in VAG-COM. Solved my hard start problem.

I appreciate you posting that link in here. This thread should contain quick links to various cold weather related information.

whitedog · Jan 25, 2009

Yeah, but then someone wouldhave to police it twice a year...

I added some key search words at the end of the first post. Anything else that should be added?

VeeDubTDI · Jan 25, 2009

It's part of a moderator's duties to keep certain sticky threads stickied when necessary.

I think you've covered most of the bases. Maybe add hard starting smoke sputters studders freezing glow plug glowplug

whitedog · Jan 26, 2009

Added bleeding procedure link to the first post.

timtenor · Jul 1, 2010

Can anyone shed some light on this problem?
Thanks for your knowledge info on the Golf TDI.
I have 1 1996 Golf TDI that will not start. I have replaced the relay 109 and all the dashboard lights (including glow plug light) now come on. The engine turns over freely and the battery is good, so, no starter motor problem.
From cold the only way to start the car is by bump starting it. So, far this has always worked. I have to park on a hill before I go to bed.
From warm the engine has to turn over for about 10 seconds before it will fire. It seems like much longer and is obviously not doing the starter motor much good.
Once running the car is very reliable - does not stall or stutter - runs perfectly normal, so, I am assuming that it is not a fuel problem.
I have located the air valve but on this model there is no black lever, just pipes. Is there any way to check that this valve is open, or force it to open, without removing it?
Any light that you can shed on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Timothy Evans
Timtenor@web.de

whitedog · Oct 2, 2011

Bump

October bump for this information.

VeeDubTDI · Oct 2, 2011

This one is going to get a winter sticky for a while. Enjoy the cold snap, folks... fall is finally upon us.

Bubba B · Nov 9, 2011

Cold Start Problem

I know this is a never ending subject. But I have not seen anyone with the problem. I have a 98 Bettle The glow plugs are cycling, I tested the harness with a test light and they are geting power and they are staying on for the max time. The Harness is new. I installed a new battery and starter this past spring. I just changed out the fuel filter and the glow plugs. I have tried double cycling the ignition. But it will not start with out several attempts. Any thing else I should check?

TonyJetta · Nov 9, 2011

Bubba B said:
Any thing else I should check?

Injetion timing. I'll bet it's retarded (late). If you don't have VCDS (was vag-com), there's a locator sticky at the top of TDI101. Someone will either be able to loan it to you or come over & help for the 15 minutes it takes to measure and/or adjust timing.

Tony

Bubba B · Nov 9, 2011

I was wondering if the timing was the issue. It was starting up with out a problem in till the ambient temp drop two weeks ago.

TonyJetta · Nov 10, 2011

Bubba,
Let us know what you find.

Tony

VeeDubTDI · Nov 10, 2011

If you're not leaking air into the fuel system, the glow plugs work, and you have good compression, then I would definitely suspect retarded injection timing. Retarded injection timing will also manifest itself as a significant amount of white smoke when you finally do get the engine running... it may also sound different than normal.

Bubba B · Nov 14, 2011

There is a large plume of white smoke generated when the beetle does finally start up. But it sounds normal and never misses a bet. So I am guessing timing issue. Hope Santa brings me VCDS for Christmas so I can diagnose it further. Not a hundred percent sure it is not a fuel issue either, just figured it wasn't on the fact it started getting difficult to start once it got colder. It just turned 211,000 and I am not sure if anything has been done to the injectors, so hope there ok. Couple of questions maybe someone could answer for me and save me many hours of reading other forums. Does a 98 beetle have a pickup pump? And what is the diesel purge I have seen mentioned?

Airstream · Nov 18, 2011

I contacted the only local recommended mechanic in Memphis a week or two ago, and asked if he would check my timing through Vagcom because I was having white smoke at cold start up, and its a bit tough; he acted really hesitant to do so, and wanted to check other things. So I didn't take it in....

All I wanted was a 15 minute check to see where my timing was

mausershooter · Nov 18, 2011

I like to use basic gas line anti-freeze. Make sure it is diesel compatible, there is a gas only product. As far as starting I will switch the key to no, and when the glow-plug light goes off I turn the key off. I switch the key to on and when the glow plug light goes off, I may then start. Or if it is really cold I will do the key thing again before starting.

VeeDubTDI · Nov 18, 2011

Bubba B said:
There is a large plume of white smoke generated when the beetle does finally start up. But it sounds normal and never misses a bet. So I am guessing timing issue. Hope Santa brings me VCDS for Christmas so I can diagnose it further. Not a hundred percent sure it is not a fuel issue either, just figured it wasn't on the fact it started getting difficult to start once it got colder. It just turned 211,000 and I am not sure if anything has been done to the injectors, so hope there ok. Couple of questions maybe someone could answer for me and save me many hours of reading other forums. Does a 98 beetle have a pickup pump? And what is the diesel purge I have seen mentioned?

From what I've seen, fueling issues rarely cause plumes of white smoke on start-up. My bet would be injection timing.

1998 does NOT have a lift pump in the fuel tank. The only pump is the injection pump.

Diesel Purge is a product made by Lubro-Moly and does a pretty good job of cleaning up dirty injectors and improving combustion. You plumb the injection pump supply and return lines directly into the can of Diesel Purge and let the engine run on it until the can is almost empty (don't run it dry).

http://www.amazon.com/Lubro-Moly-Diesel-Purge-Injection-Cleaner/dp/B002PEGAJ4

Bubba B · Dec 3, 2011

Well finally ordered VCDS and received it, totally awesome program. Wish I would have ordered it years ago and saved a lot of money that I have given to different mechanics over the years. Checked the timing and it was so far retarded that it would not even show on the chart. I advanced it, tuned up the injection quality and gave the glow plugs a little longer burn cycle. And she is a happy beetle again, firing right up with out the smoke plum.

On a side note if you have the one time use timing sprocket bolts make sure to get new ones before changing the timing. I planed on getting new after I changed it and made sure that was the problem. But managed snapping one while snugging them back down. I got lucky and was able to extract it with a left handed drill bit and a one day demo on a nice angle drill from the local home depot.

Thanks for all the advice and tips.

Brandon

Car won't start in the cold [Fuel Gelling 101]

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