PlaneCrazy
Top Post Dawg
Although VW has made great strides in making the TDI suitable for very cold climates, the nature of a diesel is such that it will still need more cranking power to fire. Moreover, on the newer version of the TDI engine appearing in the '99 and later cars, there's no provision for an engine block heater. An oil pan heater has been available. However, experience shows that a TDI can be successfully started at temperatures at least as low as -35C without preheat, if some simple common-sense precautions are taken.
The key to a successful deep-cold start is to unload the engine of anything that could theoretically cause a reduction in available cranking power, be it electrical or mechanical. All electrical power should be dedicated to pre-heating with the glow plugs, and cranking the engine.
Those with an aviation background will understand the concept of using a checklist at startup, a common practice for starting up finicky aircraft engines.
Here is the recommended checklist for a TDI shutdown if a deep cold start is anticipated at next startup, followed by a checklist for startup:
Interior lights...........OFF
Radio.....................OFF
Heater/Fan/AC.............OFF
Heated seat controls......OFF
Handbrake.................ON
Headlight switch..........OFF
Engine....................SHUT DOWN
(pulling the handbrake ON ensures that the Daytime Running Lights remain off during the startup, this is VERY important)
Prior to starting, run through this checklist:
Interior lights............OFF
Radio......................OFF
Heater/fan/AC..............OFF
Heated seat controls.......OFF
Handbrake..................ON
Headlight switch...........OFF
Ignition key...............ON (do not attempt start yet)
Ignition key...............Cycle to OFF when when glow plug light extinguishes, then to ON again immediately
Ignition key...............count 5 seconds after glow plug light extinguishes then START until engine achieves sustained start
Engine.....................IDLE until even firing is achieved.
Once a smooth idle is achieved, you can drive off SLOWLY, driving very gently until the engine temperature gauge starts to rise.
These simple precautions should achieve a successful start after prolonged exposure at temeperatures down to about -40C, and should help protect the engine from abuse after a successful start. In addition, in areas where fuel quality is suspect, an anti-gelling additive in the fuel tank will help ensure successful cold weather operation.
[ April 04, 2001: Message edited by: PlaneCrazy ]
[ April 04, 2001: Message edited by: PlaneCrazy ]
The key to a successful deep-cold start is to unload the engine of anything that could theoretically cause a reduction in available cranking power, be it electrical or mechanical. All electrical power should be dedicated to pre-heating with the glow plugs, and cranking the engine.
Those with an aviation background will understand the concept of using a checklist at startup, a common practice for starting up finicky aircraft engines.
Here is the recommended checklist for a TDI shutdown if a deep cold start is anticipated at next startup, followed by a checklist for startup:
Interior lights...........OFF
Radio.....................OFF
Heater/Fan/AC.............OFF
Heated seat controls......OFF
Handbrake.................ON
Headlight switch..........OFF
Engine....................SHUT DOWN
(pulling the handbrake ON ensures that the Daytime Running Lights remain off during the startup, this is VERY important)
Prior to starting, run through this checklist:
Interior lights............OFF
Radio......................OFF
Heater/fan/AC..............OFF
Heated seat controls.......OFF
Handbrake..................ON
Headlight switch...........OFF
Ignition key...............ON (do not attempt start yet)
Ignition key...............Cycle to OFF when when glow plug light extinguishes, then to ON again immediately
Ignition key...............count 5 seconds after glow plug light extinguishes then START until engine achieves sustained start
Engine.....................IDLE until even firing is achieved.
Once a smooth idle is achieved, you can drive off SLOWLY, driving very gently until the engine temperature gauge starts to rise.
These simple precautions should achieve a successful start after prolonged exposure at temeperatures down to about -40C, and should help protect the engine from abuse after a successful start. In addition, in areas where fuel quality is suspect, an anti-gelling additive in the fuel tank will help ensure successful cold weather operation.
[ April 04, 2001: Message edited by: PlaneCrazy ]
[ April 04, 2001: Message edited by: PlaneCrazy ]