Not warming glow plugs enough = tricky starting

[b1jackson]

Temps are starting to dip here and this is my first winter with my new Golf. On two occasions now, I've certainly found it pretty fussy when not fully warming up the glow plugs.

On a cold start (outside temp 2 degrees C or 35 Farenheit) and out of pure foolish habit, I hop in, turn the key and go...try too. I guess I didn't let the glow plugs cycle long enough and man, it was pretty fussy to start. Took quite a bit of extra cranking, ran a bit rough for a bit but then was perfect.

Its just an observation I guess that when temps approach zero, its not totally just the hop in and go. The glow plugs do need to warm up properly. An obvious statement!

 

[cd_booth]

I went a whole winter starting my car without letting the glow plugs heat and never had a problem. Of course now that I know their purpose I wait until the light turns off before starting. I guess every engine is different.

 

[South Coast Guy]

Just wait until the glow plug light goes out and then turn the key the whole way.

 

[andy7079]

Waiting for the glow plug light to turn off will become second nature...then you'll find yourself waiting for all of the lights to go out on the cluster in whatever car you get into.

 

[ksing44]

... it was pretty fussy to start. Took quite a bit of extra cranking, ran a bit rough for a bit but then was perfect.

This sounds exactly like what happened to me once. It is also exactly what has been described for the "intercooler icing" issue.

 

[JB05]

How long is the pre-glow on these newer MKVI's? My 05 Golf pre glow lasts 23 seconds even though the GP light stays on for only 5 seconds at the most. I usually count to 10 or maybe 15 before cranking.

 

[andy7079]

The glow plugs reach temp in two seconds. GP light usually stays on for 5-7 seconds. The plugs will "post-heat" after the engine has been started and run until the coolant temp warms up somewhat.

 

[pknopp]

I got in the habit from the old days when you pretty much absolutely had to wait on the glow plugs in the winter and sometimes it might take a bit.

It's just second nature now.

 

[schultp]

On my old MK3 Jetta with real cold outside temps I cycle the glow plugs twice (key on, off, and back on) prior to starting. This seems to help with sub zero temps.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I sometimes forget in the Passat, although it hasn't been very cold where we are. Gotta pay closer attention.

 

[b1jackson]

Yes, I am used to our old mk4. Also had a lot less lights on start up so perhaps the glow plug one stood out more. I'll keep the intercooler thread in mind but have a feeling just too quick on the key turn.

 

[b1jackson]

Well.....its gotta be intercooler freeze up/condensation issue. Cold as a witch's you know what here on Friday. Car sat in garage all weekend and the interior temp of the garage was 1.5 celcius. Went to start it two days later and it cranked, dead battery sounding then cranked OK, sputtered and then took off and ran fine. I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow. Hope these parts are not back ordered!

 

[wolfen1960]

Just started getting cold here but from day 1 I've done the same. Sit down, turn the key, fasten seatbelt and check the instrument cluster...by then the plug light is off and I start it.

 

[Baba O'Riley]

Had my first issue with car Saturday morning.
Basically Friday was bloody cold (-7deg). Drove home from work (50miles) and parked overnight in garage.
Started car Sat afternoon and it was rough in milder temperatures (car shaking and rev's uneven). Evened out after about 10-15secs. Drove up the driveway and along sideroad and the car juddered. After about 1 mile all was OK.
Car has 40,000km and I expect over the winter to repeat the above scenario.

Surprised to see local VW garage service dept open Sat afternoon, so called in and explained details to service advisor. He seemed to think the 2012s already had upgraded intercooler. He said I could bring it in later this week and have tech look at it.

Not sure what the tech would look for?!

 

[OilBurningBrit]

One thing I can say for sure is the 2012 models do not have the intercooler upgrade from the factory. I compared mine to a 2010 that had been retrofitted and the parts were not present.

 

[740GLE]

Temps are starting to dip here and this is my first winter with my new Golf. On two occasions now, I've certainly found it pretty fussy when not fully warming up the glow plugs.

On a cold start (outside temp 2 degrees C or 35 Farenheit) and out of pure foolish habit, I hop in, turn the key and go...try too. I guess I didn't let the glow plugs cycle long enough and man, it was pretty fussy to start. Took quite a bit of extra cranking, ran a bit rough for a bit but then was perfect.

Its just an observation I guess that when temps approach zero, its not totally just the hop in and go. The glow plugs do need to warm up properly. An obvious statement!

At 35F once the car fired up you shouldn't have had any problems with it running coughing or needing to crank longer. I'd wagger quite a bit of cash that it wasn't the glow plugs that was causing the issue, it's an iced up IC.

The previous drive, were temps below 32F? how long was your drive? by the sound of it you don't park in a heated garage.

Read up on the thread and do some homework.

 

[TDIFred]

right around 0°C, the IC SHOULD not ice up, that's just a $hitty design!

 

[b1jackson]

yeh but it was -10 when I left for work and when I drove to work. Warmed up to zero (plus heat from engine) means ice melted and formed water.