Its -20F Out, Whats the coldest temp you've started your NMS Passat?

[cevans]

This arctic blast that has hit the north really put my TDIs to the test. Over the weekend I watched the temps drop to -15F while driving, and eventually hit -20F in the morning. In my old ALH -20 would be trouble, and when it did start it would be a very unhappy sounding engine. I was thoroughly impressed with the '13 Passat though. 5 seconds of glow plug, about 4 cranks and started right up - I had HESS fuel (IMO some of the highest quality diesel you can buy, always get highest MPG with HESS) and double-dose of power service with anti-gel.

A few observations:
- This is the first time I've seen the Passat run a high idle, about 1200 RPM, for a few minutes.
- The clutch pedal was reluctant to return the first few pumps
- At -20F, the seats are HARD.
- It wasn't possible to keep the inside of the windows from freezing up. Even on fan speed 6 (this one goes to 6!)
- I shouldn't have left a can of seltzer water in the car!

 

[Lightflyer1]

At least at -20F it should have been an easier cleanup!

 

[ABS]

Similar situation here. Car has started and performed flawlessly at all temps so far. The coldest we've been in my neck of the woods is -26F (Wind Chills down to -54). This current cold snap had us down there again this morning, although it didn't get as cold as they were forecasting from an air temp standpoint, with high winds the wind chills are brutal. Anyway, the TDI starts and runs like a top! Thankfully I don't have the seltzer water to clean up ...

 

[jrm]

Very impressive!! Anyone have video of the hi idle?
Seems as if 70% of the country has been hit pretty hard, here- 58F at the coast yesterday- Nicer than some August days along the PNW coastline.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I have done a -15F cold start with no problems at Sunday River, Maine. (The was actually the overnight temp... I guess it warmed up to 5F by the time I actually started the engine).

 

[Tdi1977]

It's -9 here in central Illinois and my 2014 TDI won't start. Anyone have any ideas? It was around -20 over night. Any thoughts are welcome.

 

[ABS]

It's -9 here in central Illinois and my 2014 TDI won't start. Anyone have any ideas? It was around -20 over night. Any thoughts are welcome.

Bummer
You have mandatory B2 in IL, correct? If so the fuel may have gelled in the lines, filter and possibly the tank. Get it into a heated garage space let it warm up, if B2 is in the tank add a little bit of Power Service 911, or similar (I know additives are a contentious issue out here). I'd definelty get it into a warm garage, unless your willing to wait until late in the week when temps are supposed to climb back in to the teens and 20's above...

 

[dzcad90]

It's -9 here in central Illinois and my 2014 TDI won't start. Anyone have any ideas? It was around -20 over night. Any thoughts are welcome.

When you say it won't start, what occurs? Slow crank? No Crank? Crank but no catch?

Did you let it glow?

 

[ABS]

When you say it won't start, what occurs? Slow crank? No Crank? Crank but no catch?

Did you let it glow?

Good Point! I guess I assumed crank, but no start...

 

[Tdi1977]

Sorry I didn't specify. The glow plug light came on and was lit for approx 5-7 seconds, I turned the key to start it, it cranked like normal and just as it sounded like things would catch and start up it would die.

 

[Tdi1977]

Bummer
You have mandatory B2 in IL, correct? If so the fuel may have gelled in the lines, filter and possibly the tank. Get it into a heated garage space let it warm up, if B2 is in the tank add a little bit of Power Service 911, or similar (I know additives are a contentious issue out here). I'd definelty get it into a warm garage, unless your willing to wait until late in the week when temps are supposed to climb back in to the teens and 20's above...

Sorry, I'm new to the whole diesel thing. By B2 are you referring to the eura for the exhaust or something else?

 

[ABS]

Sorry I didn't specify. The glow plug light came on and was lit for approx 5-7 seconds, I turned the key to start it, it cranked like normal and just as it sounded like things would catch and start up it would die.

Yeah, so back to my first post. I'd get it warmed up. B2 is notorious for getting too thick to flow in these temps...

 

[mishkaya]

Sorry, I'm new to the whole diesel thing. By B2 are you referring to the eura for the exhaust or something else?

I'm pretty sure B2 stands for 2% biodiesel.

 

[ABS]

Sorry, I'm new to the whole diesel thing. By B2 are you referring to the eura for the exhaust or something else?

B2 is a Petroleum based Diesel and Bio-Diesel Blend. (Like the Ethanol mandate on the Gasoline side) The use of this blend was made Mandatory in IL in 2006.

I'm pretty sure B2 stands for 2% biodiesel.

Correct - It's 2% Bio Diesel and 98% PetroDiesel...

 

[LokiWolf]

Did you try more than once? That will cycle the glow plugs more than once. Go get a bottle of PwerService 911, that is the Red Bottle. Use about 1/2 the bottle. Dump it in the tank, and let it sit a little, then try it.

 

[Tdi1977]

I've tried a couple starts a couple different times each so far today. I have a heating pad on the fuel filter by the air intake. I would try to go get something, but the car is blocking the driveway. Can you try starting them too much and do any damage?

 

[cevans]

It's -9 here in central Illinois and my 2014 TDI won't start. Anyone have any ideas? It was around -20 over night. Any thoughts are welcome.

Gelled! You need to use some fuel additive, as I understand it winter fuel is only good for -15 or so. Get some PowerService, Stanadyne etc. with anti-gel to bring the gel point lower.

 

[TDiSkater]

B2 is a Petroleum based Diesel and Bio-Diesel Blend. (Like the Ethanol mandate on the Gasoline side) The use of this blend was made Mandatory in IL in 2006.



Correct - It's 2% Bio Diesel and 98% PetroDiesel...

We are B11 at most pumps in IL. There are a few straight D2, very few.

 

[ABS]

We are B11 at most pumps in IL. There are a few straight D2, very few.

Good to know. I remember when the mandate went into effect and thought it was for B2... Thanks for the correction. I guess that leads me back to my original post again though.., even more Bio in the blend, so its likely a gelling/flow issue.

Thanks again for the correction!

 

[TDiSkater]

No problem. It's not a mandate, but a tax incentive for over 10%, hence B11.

I'm lucky as I have a high quality straight D2 source near me. I pay 25-30 cents more per gal for that pleasure

 

[LokiWolf]

I've tried a couple starts a couple different times each so far today. I have a heating pad on the fuel filter by the air intake. I would try to go get something, but the car is blocking the driveway. Can you try starting them too much and do any damage?

Put it in N, and push it. As long as you aren't pushing it uphill it should be pretty easy.

 

[Tdi1977]

That's the problem... It's a slight uphill push. I called the dealer. He says it only needs about a 10 degree increase in temps to get it to go. Called roadside assistance and nobody will come tow it because of road conditions and since I'm home I'm right where I should be today. Don't blame them. Hopefully I can get it going at a decent time tomorrow.

Thanks your all your assistance today!!

 

[phlfly]

Good thread. Tomorrow is test for my Passat. I will starting this car 6 am. So we shall see and it will do the trick. Please report if any of you had starting problem.

 

[PassatSE4me]

-14 this morning in my driveway and she fired right up. -13 when I left work a couple hours ago and the same thing. I'm not complaining, although the mileage took a severe hit.

I'm running straight D2 with 7 oz. of PS white bottle.

 

[jrm]

videos please flawless diesel startups at those temps were not even imaginable a few short years ago!

 

[PassatSE4me]

flawless diesel startups at those temps was not even imaginable a few short years ago!

Funny you should mention that as a guy driving a 2002 Ford F250 diesel couldn't get his going when leaving work.

I just smiled as I drove by. Served him right for bashing my VW earlier.

 

[cevans]

videos please flawless diesel startups at those temps were not even imaginable a few short years ago!

I thought of taking a video - I love watching cold start videos on YouTube, but only if they are dramatic. Seeing a car just start up and run easily is no fun.

The diesel locomotive videos are fantastic!

 

[jrm]

I thought of taking a video - I love watching cold start videos on YouTube, but only if they are dramatic. Seeing a car just start up and run easily is no fun.

The diesel locomotive videos are fantastic!

True! Here is My personal favorite video- lots of timing will cause this. my body feels like this truck at the 1 min mark when I drink on a week night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAZS6D7g3aE

 

[Softrockrenegade]

Gonna be cold here tomorrow ! Double dosed with powerservice white and don't foresee any problems since my car will be in the garage overnight.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I thought of taking a video - I love watching cold start videos on YouTube, but only if they are dramatic. Seeing a car just start up and run easily is no fun.
The diesel locomotive videos are fantastic!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who watches those!