300tdi won't start in cold

aeo

Well-known member
It's been cold here and now my tdi won't start. I don't think the engine block heater is working. Normally if I plug that in it will turn over. What can I do to get it started?
 

copleymotorcars

Well-known member
A good condition Tdi should start well down below 0*F with just the glow plugs and a strong battery. Are you allowing them to properly cycle?

Adam
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
What are you symptoms when you turn the key ?

Lights, starter, turning over ? , Ect
 

Red90

Well-known member
You need to provide more details....

Is the engine spinning okay? If not, you need a new battery.

Do you know if the glow plugs are working? If not, replace them.

Is there power going to the glow plugs?

You could have gelled fuel preventing fuel flow. Are you somewhere that does not normally get cold?

If all that is good, then make sure timing is good. Retarded timing prevents cold starting.
 

aeo

Well-known member
Ran great until we went arctic. It's a lot colder than we normally are around here. I think the glow plugs are working, I've cycled them a few times and it didn't work. Last time it was cold for us that worked to get it to turn over.

It's like it just can't turn over all the way, it kind of strains and suffers but just can't start. Now that you mention it I'm kind of thinking battery. Volts are reading between 6-8 after I cycle it and try and turn it over a few times. Timing was just done and is good. Finally.

I have small fuel pump after my sedimenter that I can hear running.
 

javelinadave

Administrator
Staff member
I’m guessing it is a combo of gelled fuel and a weak battery. Can you get the truck into a warmed garage overnight? If so a space heater under the block for a few hours would certainly help a lot.
Here is how to test your glow plugs.
 

Shearpin

Well-known member
Have you had a few cold/warm weather cycles with snowfall? I had a similar “strained crank” issue with my tdi a few winters ago. While I searched for answers I tented the rear and put a camp stove under the diesel tank to deal with possible gelling.

I turned the engine over about an hour later - it stained, then launched a cylinder of black ice out of the stock tail pipe like a mortar round. The heat must have melted it just enough... It may be worth checking your tailpipe is clear.

Henry
 
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