Quote:
Originally Posted by lunarhighway
to keep it short it's been freezing for the last two weeks [outside temps are about -8°C for the last two weeks] or so and my girfrields ford fiesta 1.8 diesel won't start, it cranks slowly, but won't start.
replaceing the battery didn't cure things, and while i initially thought the starter might be fauly i think it's just the cold playing tricks.
<snip>
since it will be parked outside at ther workplace things like blockheaters are not an option
so i'm thinking the following
check the glow plugs?
build in insulated undertray?
insulate the battery...relocate to the trunk--> winter
fuel additives?
thinner oil?
sell the car for something that will start when it's freezing?
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If relocating the battery to the trunk results in much longer battery cable runs, then it's a very, poor idea. In any case it's probably pointless.
It's always a good idea to check glow plugs on diesels, but unless one is severely shorted, they're unlikely to affect cranking speed. And from your description, slow cranking speed seems to be the main problem.
An insulated undertray will probably have near zero effect after the car has sat in the cold for 8 hours.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lunarhighway
outside temps are about -8°C for the last two weeks, that's a bit colder and longer than what we're used to.
i'll have a look at the plug and the oil thickness
searching the internet it seems this is a common issue with this car and other diesels of the same age. one forum post talked about fitting a "hand primer" or a one way valve in the fuelline, not much details where given as to how and where this should be done but the poster was fairly confident that this would cure the problem.
<snip>
i've towed the car to a start a couple of time as that goes really well, and once it's running it doesn't seems all that bothered by the weather.
so perhaps some sort return valve or simple pump could help me there, but how should i go about this?
it would be nice to have a winter "button" or trick that would get the car going anyway.
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Diesels are more fussy to start in cold weather than gasoline engines. But 8* C isn't any sort of stretch.
When you towed it to start, did it start as soon as it was dropped into gear?
Or did you have to pull it 10 or more meters down the road after dropping into gear before it would start?
In the first case (started as soon as dropped into gear), the problem is just slow cranking speed. 1) Check oil viscosity. 2) Diesels require more robust starters and batteries than gasoline engines. Be sure the replacement battery is the correct rating for your diesel engine. 3) Check/clean all battery/starter cable connections. 4) Have a shop check how many amps the starter is drawing when the engine is cold. (Worn starter bushing can cause excessively slow cold cranking.
If the later case (had to tow it a few meters after dropping into gear before it would start), you're loosing the fuel prime. Don't know anything in particular about 1.8L fiesta diesel injection systems, but I wonder if the "one way valve" isn't a
check valve that's already a standard part of the system but which has gone bad allowing the diesel to drain out of the fuel lines back into the fuel tank.
AFTER you've fixed the slow cranking speed issue!!!
(But possibly before you've got the possible lost fuel prime issue taken care of.)
Many pieces of Caterpillar heavy equipment come standard with a starter fluid injector system for easier starts in frigid climates. (I think those systems are probably a little pricey). Over the road truckers in the northern US usually carry a spray can of
starting fluid for use in very cold weather. If you decide to try the spray can of starting fluid, use it sparingly. Just one little squirt (1/2 second OR LESS) at the intake and then crank engine. If the engine doesn't start after cranking 2 seconds, just one more little squirt. If you spray bunches of the stuff in - particularly with glow plugs - you run the risk of an explosion damaging the engine!!! Large amount of starter fluid spray also wash the film of oil off cylinder walls and causes excessive wear.
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