Cold Weather Trouble

[TDI2000Zim]

Any update available on this incident?

I finally burned enough fuel to reach a half tank. Saturday, I'll try to open up the fuel tank cover, and see inside the tank.

BUT, at this stage, I am concerned about voiding the warranty by doing so (I'm dancing the chicken dance inside).

BTW, are there any pictures, or diagrams of the Passat '12-'13 fuel tank cover and sender?

To the experts a question: what do I expect to see in the tank, besides the the new black tank half full of diesel, gold flecks??? A rag with the union label?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Don't worry about the warranty - they aren't going to give you a hard time about that.

Hopefully all you see is a nice clean tank with diesel fuel in it. Look around inside with a nice LED flashlight. If you see very fine metal particles in the bottom, the dealer needs to flush the fuel system for you.

 

[VernK]

Well, if things are going really badly perhaps you'll fine a Coke can & a Big Mac wrapper.

Kidding, of course (I hope).

As VeeDub says, hopefully you'll just see clean fuel & a clean bottom. I'd give a close look at the filter sock over the fuel pickup (I presume there is one, I'm not sure what a diesel lift pump does for a pickup filter).

Yours
Vern

 

[phlfly]

Today was around 16-18 F in the morning. Car started easy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92089310@N02/8405619136/

 

[TDI2000Zim]

Today was around 16-18 F in the morning. Car started easy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92089310@N02/8405619136/

Good for you!!!

As for me, the car started fine this morning in my garage, but after 4 1/2 hours of exposure to 23F at the office, it took three full turns of cranking to turn it on again, which makes me wonder about my fuel sender's heating/pumping quality (I can't blame the fuel).

 

[VeeDubTDI]

What does "three full turns of cranking" mean?

 

[TDI2000Zim]

What does "three full turns of cranking" mean?

This morning, as in the past 10 days after getting back the car, the car started in my garage by the first turn of the switch, and by the sound of it on the first turn of the crankshaft.

BUT, after 4 1/2 hours of cold soaking in the outside temperature of 23F today, that crankshaft turned about 3 times before combustion started.

Note: When the crankshaft turns a full turn, it makes a "whao" sound. Three turns of the crankshaft are "whao-whao-whao".

I pray and hope the engine starts flawlessly when I get off work in another 4 1/2 hours.

 

[tdiatlast]

I'm at 21k miles. My car starts almost every time after the first "whao". However, several times, in the cold, it ahs taken as many as 4 "whao-whao-whao-whao"s to start. I don't think it's a problem, although I will say that the first few times it took longer, it did feel unusual. (My JSW fires up instantly regardless of temp).
Based on my experience, I don't think you have a problem
I bet this is old-school, but I'd prefer a few revs of the crankshaft, to get a little oil splashed around...

 

[TDI2000Zim]

I'm at 21k miles. My car starts almost every time after the first "whao". However, several times, in the cold, it ahs taken as many as 4 "whao-whao-whao-whao"s to start. I don't think it's a problem, although I will say that the first few times it took longer, it did feel unusual. (My JSW fires up instantly regardless of temp).
Based on my experience, I don't think you have a problem
I bet this is old-school, but I'd prefer a few revs of the crankshaft, to get a little oil splashed around...

From your lips to God's ears (may it be!!!).

We haven't had these cold temps since I got the car back, so I'm mindfull of every little quirk of the car.

However, even the old Beetle TDi started on the first crank in the coldest of weather after I got rid of the defective fuel sender, which is why it was a deja vu moment an hour ago.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Ok. I thought you may have meant three 10 - 15 second cranking sessions or something like that. Three revolutions of the engine is perfectly normal and what I'm experiencing, as well.

Search some cold start videos on YouTube if you want to see how older diesels behave in the cold... you'll think your Passat is amazing afterwards.

 

[Nebelwerfer]

I forgot to plug in the car last night and it went down to -30C (-22F).

After soaking for about 14 hours, it started fine. No issues.

Regards

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I forgot to plug in the car last night and it went down to -30C (-22F).
After soaking for about 14 hours, it started fine. No issues.
Regards

Get a video next time.

 

[Nebelwerfer]

Get a video next time.

If I remember next time. It was freakin' freezing and the wind was not very nice either.

Regards

 

[yamaguy]

It was 0* F at the house this morning, and the Passat had been sitting outside for about 13 hours. It started great, maybe one more "whao" than normal. The last two days it has been single diget temps and both times right after the car starts there is a loud buzz from under the hood that lasts about 4 seconds, not sure what it is...

My 7.3 PSD would of taken three cycles of the glow plugs and then would of cranked 2-3 times as longer than normal...

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Can you get a recording of this loud buzz?

Jason noticed that our Passat makes the sticking Bendix noise when it's really cold out (sub-zero Fahrenheit) because the lube it slides on is so cold. Perhaps you're hearing the same thing.

 

[phlfly]

One more video from this early morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&list=FL5Wkf0KMYsaGJ3O3h9fygsA&v=6UcU1ocrgNg

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Here it is at 19°F... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSCwrWpEJZ4

 

[VeeDubTDI]

And here's one from our trip to Maine... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MjSrcydQF0

 

[unixb0y]

-26C http://youtu.be/15UV0nYszDM

 

[RebelTDI]

I'd have to agree with the above comments that 3 cranks is far from abnormal. My 2010 Jetta usually fires up after 1 crank, but my 2010 Golf usually takes several. It was 3 degrees F this morning and the Golf took several turns, but started up fine. It is interesting that the Jetta and Golf behave differently on start up, but they both run fine. I'd expect a little variation from car to car, but as long as it runs well, no worries.

 

[phlfly]

And here's one from our trip to Maine... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MjSrcydQF0

what is that noise?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Which noise? The static is the CB radio booting.

 

[phlfly]

Which noise? The static is the CB radio booting.

Yes I guess it's static noise, so where is coming from I don't have this.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Yes I guess it's static noise, so where is coming from I don't have this.

 

[TomB]

I thought the CB band would have been decimated after the move to digital TV and the reassignment of the old analog TV frequencies since they sat somewhere in the middle of that all. (27 MHz if memory serves me).

With the Cellular and Emergency Service spectrum grab it is amazing it still remains.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Nope - not at all. CB is still alive and well. Traffic has gone down since the boom in the 70s and it's actually usable again, although folks with massive radios and environmental skip can dominate the airwaves during the daytime hours.

 

[phlfly]

It's cool, a good solution when VA prohibit radar detectors.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

It's cool, a good solution when VA prohibit radar detectors.

It has been invaluable on road trips and saved hours of traffic backups - not to mention it's entertaining.

 

[skidkicker]

Here's a new one for you. -36C with block heater on all night, engine temp at normal operating temp but no heat on the drive to work in the morning. BRRR (25 min drive) -22C for the drive home, had heat.
The next morning -34C block heater on all night, no heat for the drive to work and the engine is overheating. Pulled over and loosened the cap on the overflow, it fills and the engine temp drops to normal but still no cabin heat. -20C for the drive home and had lots of heat.
Just checked the coolant and it says it is only good to - 29C.
Who would have thought? This TDI must have been destin for a warmer climate when it left the factory. VW is going to flush it in the morning. Just wanted to let you guys know, I think this problem is a new one. Thanks for all the great posts.

 

[TheGrove]

I thought the CB band would have been decimated after the move to digital TV and the reassignment of the old analog TV frequencies since they sat somewhere in the middle of that all. (27 MHz if memory serves me).

With the Cellular and Emergency Service spectrum grab it is amazing it still remains.

As I remember from my license studies the CB band (11 meters) is allocated to the amateur radio service world wide by the IRU (International Radio Union) which coordinates radio frequencies world wide. The US has decided to give it to the CB and doesn't require a license anymore to operate in those frequencies, but they do restrict your power. So by treaty the US can't use those frequencies for anything else without causing potential interference to the amateur service in other countries.

Also Cellular and the other services like the higher friequencies - down in the centimeter ranges - like 220mhz and 440mhz. Remember to get a good signal your antenna needs to be a good 1/2 wavelength long - which is why CB antennas are around 12-15 feet long (remember the old whip antennas that curved from the bumper to the roof). CB antenna's are only shorter because of the loading coils used. Your phone uses a very small antenna that is only a couple inches to match the frequencies that are in the 900+mhz range.