Question for you all. My Beetle is hard to start once the temperature
get down below say 50F. By hard, I have to keep the starter engaged
quite a bit long, probably like 10 seconds. I have a history of
diesel ownership and this is the first one where I don't notice the
glow light on the dash staying on longer when the temperature drops
(which I find odd).
Anyway, my initial thoughts turn to the glow plugs not getting hot
enough. My other thoughts are maybe the starter isn't turning the
engine fast enough to build up compression.
I've tried cycle the start switch three or four times, in an attempt
to heat the glow plugs up more, and then engage the starter, but that
doesn't seem to make much difference. I don't know if the glow plug
dash light is a true indicator of glow heat. The glow light in the
Meredes I used to own would stay on for 15 seconds or better when it
was cold.
I don't want to burn up the starter and don't know what the duty cycle
of that would be.
The engine has, and always has been serviced with synthetic oil. I
thought that stuff wasn't supposed to thicken up like regular oil when
it's cold.
I guess as a testiment to the battery, it is the original battery.
The battery has given me no problems, but does drag a little when it's
cold. It might be time for a new battery.
My guess are either glow plugs, battery or this new low-sulphur diesel
fuel.
Finally, I have NO troubles with any of this when the termperature is
above 50 F or so.
Anyway, any suggestions would be appreciated.
Greg
Note: above 40F the glow plugs don't even come on. The light comes on
now just to tell you that the light is working. When it gets really cold
(like sub zero) you may notice it staying on a little longer, but modern
glow plugs heat up very quickly so they don't stay on as long as the older
ones did.
"Greg Wilkerson" <Wilke...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:86ea5bfa-96c7-40f3...@r60g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
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Joseph Meehan
Dia 's Muire duit
"Jim Behning" <jimbe...@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:2mqmk314pfhv62vbm...@4ax.com...
I do not see that much cold weather that I seem to always just hit the
starter and go. Sometimes the car putters a bit while running on a few
cylinders but the rest catch up soon enough. Bad me!
Hey Jim,
You're fine. The more I think about it, the more I think it's
probably the compression and a weak battery. I'm going to plug into
the car with my computer and see if that tells me anything. I
replaced all the glow plugs three or four years ago because one went
bad and I remember the computer telling me which one was bad (pretty
cool stuff for us non- gear head types).
I see a battery in my future. We'll see.
Greg
"Greg Wilkerson" <Wilke...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:86ea5bfa-96c7-40f3...@r60g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
>
On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:39:13 -0500, "none2u" <non...@notrealatall.bye>
wrote:
It sounds like your Glow Plug relay is not working since you are not having
problems above 50 deg F. If your starting is turning over your engine for
10 seconds, your battery must still have some juice for it's age.
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Jeeps and dubs and everything's nice...