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Thread: 300Tdi didn't start then ran like crap this morning - very cold -6 celsius overnight

  1. #1
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    300Tdi didn't start then ran like crap this morning - very cold -6 celsius overnight

    Spent the weekend in Jindabyne and this morning wanted an early start to drive back to Melbourne (yes a very long drive, knackered now). Overnight it got down to a bracing NEGATIVE SIX CELSIUS

    I never have problems starting this car but I've never had it in such cold temps before. Big frost on everything, at least 75% alpine diesel in the tank too. It first tried to start (batteries fine) and then started coughing and conked out. Then it wouldn't start at all but engine kept trying to crank, just wouldn't fire. Thought it might be cold fuel lines or filters so poured a bit of luke warm water over the fuel filter and pump...probably completely useless, such is my mechanical knowledge of these things.

    Gave it a go again and this time there was a little bit of life, so I kept cranking and it started but wasn't able to rev much although it kept going. Blowing lots of white smoke and running like absolute crap, but kept running. Had to put it in low range to get up a driveway, not very steep. Engine temp was sitting at about 6 degrees at this point and taking ages to climb, still very cold. (TM1 probe on front of engine block bolt hole)

    I drove out of there, well really I "chugged" out of there very very slowly and when I tried to give it any right foot it would try to go faster but then die. Still blowing a bit of white smoke but it got better after a little while.

    When it warmed up a bit more (temp sensor now reading around 50) I had driven ten minutes along a dirt road and was ready to put it on the bitumen, it actually was pretty normal by now and I drove off and all was well again...but my wife was a bit mad haha

    My mechanic said it could have been the glow plugs, didn't think it would be frozen fuel, but I've never experienced anything like that before it's been pretty solid up until then but it was a very VERY cold night.

    Anyone else come across similar issues in the cold?
    '97 Tdi 300
    5sp manual w/ D-gas, Maxi Drive rear, 245/75/16 rubber, dual batteries, other stuff.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Young Angus View Post
    Spent the weekend in Jindabyne and this morning wanted an early start to drive back to Melbourne (yes a very long drive, knackered now). Overnight it got down to a bracing NEGATIVE SIX CELSIUS

    I never have problems starting this car but I've never had it in such cold temps before. Big frost on everything, at least 75% alpine diesel in the tank too. It first tried to start (batteries fine) and then started coughing and conked out. Then it wouldn't start at all but engine kept trying to crank, just wouldn't fire. Thought it might be cold fuel lines or filters so poured a bit of luke warm water over the fuel filter and pump...probably completely useless, such is my mechanical knowledge of these things.

    Gave it a go again and this time there was a little bit of life, so I kept cranking and it started but wasn't able to rev much although it kept going. Blowing lots of white smoke and running like absolute crap, but kept running. Had to put it in low range to get up a driveway, not very steep. Engine temp was sitting at about 6 degrees at this point and taking ages to climb, still very cold. (TM1 probe on front of engine block bolt hole)

    I drove out of there, well really I "chugged" out of there very very slowly and when I tried to give it any right foot it would try to go faster but then die. Still blowing a bit of white smoke but it got better after a little while.

    When it warmed up a bit more (temp sensor now reading around 50) I had driven ten minutes along a dirt road and was ready to put it on the bitumen, it actually was pretty normal by now and I drove off and all was well again...but my wife was a bit mad haha

    My mechanic said it could have been the glow plugs, didn't think it would be frozen fuel, but I've never experienced anything like that before it's been pretty solid up until then but it was a very VERY cold night.

    Anyone else come across similar issues in the cold?
    I live in Orange where similar temps occur. I used to have a 300TDI which I found I had to 'glow' 2 - 3 times first thing in the morning to get it to run properly under those conditions. I probably should have changed the glow plugs but I got away with them the way they were.

  3. #3
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    Another possibility could be the lift pump.
    Mine would run fine until either cold or at high altitudes and I eventually traced it to a crack in the lift pump cover.
    New lift pump and issue gone!
    Dan

    '14 Def 110
    '75 Lightweight
    '98 300Tdi Disco (gone)
    '80 2Dr Rangie Classic (gone)

  4. #4
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    And if you do want to replace the glow plugs, warm up the car for a few minutes first. I snapped one on a 300TDi engine I was getting parts off.
    Life is just a series of obstacles preventing you from taking a nap.

  5. #5
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    my first thought would be glow plugs

  6. #6
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    At -6C I would be struggling to start let alone my disco
    You only get one shot at life, Aim well

    2004 D2 "S" V8 auto, with a few Mods gone
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  7. #7
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    Hmm, I think lift pump too, unless compression is down.
    White smoke is incomplete combustion, can be fuel, timing or lack of compression.

    I used to live at Timor and Murrurundi NSW, often -6° in winter and never had a problem starting the Defender

  8. #8
    Roverlord off road spares is offline AT REST
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    I reckon Glow plugs.


  9. #9
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    I had the same symptoms and it was glow plugs.
    Quote Originally Posted by cripesamighty View Post
    And if you do want to replace the glow plugs, warm up the car for a few minutes first. I snapped one on a 300TDi engine I was getting parts off.
    ^^ and this. I snapped a glow plug trying to remove it. Luckily it was just the top and the lower part hadn't moved and I could start it to get it to a mechanic.
    FINN - '72 88" S3 - 2.286 petrol - yet to go on it's first adventure
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  10. #10
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    I'd also make sure the wire to the solenoid on the back of the fuel pump has a clean connection. The engine will crank over but not fire if the solenoid is not working properly.
    Andrew
    1998 Landrover Defender 300Tdi 130 HCPU Expedition
    1972 Peugeot 504 Sedan - Daily Driver

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