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Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:08 pm

I just bought an 87 diesel golf (my first diesel). I've taken it from Vancouver island to Calgary and it's had it's first snow, problem is that it doesn't have a block heater in it yet and consequently it will not start. Other problems include the fact that it still has summer fuel in it, that the tank is only about 1/4 full and that we've tried to start it on the warmer days since the snow has melted. It's warmer today that it has been this week and so we just tried to push it into our garage (up a little hill, around the corner, and in the alley) but we failed, the hill was steeper than we thought, so it is now parked on the wrong side of the street in a semi-busy suburb. it is inevitable that if it stays the night there we will have a ticket in the morning.
My question is: how do i start my car? Fill it with winter fuel? Stand over it with a space heater? Will my fuel gel if i try again/has it likely already?
I would be so greatful if anyone could help.

Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:32 pm

Hello there
I am actually having some starting problems myself, but I thought I might at least reply with possible help. First, I've never owned a Golf so I really can't say much about it specifically. Last winter my 1984 diesel volvo wouldn't start and I did go and get more diesel fuel and fill it up. That may help from gelling though it sounds like it's already cold there and may have already started to gel. My dad says to keep the diesel at least half full at all times in the winter. (Kind of similar to it taking a longer time for a big lake to freeze compared to a small one)
Now the next thing I am going to tell you must be acted upon very carefully. I don't know how your engine is set up but some things must be similar. On the volvo there is an air filter or air intake; air goes thru filter into a black tube then into the manifold. Where the black tube connects to the manifold (engine) is a ring that if loosened will come apart so you can temporarily access the inside of the manifold. I very carefully sprayed a quick second shot of starter fluid in there and left black tube disconnected while I attempted to start the car.
It worked everytime and in your situation it may be enough to warm up the fuel to get it flowing thru. I did this for a while until I was finally able to change the glow plugs and then it started right up!
Let me conclude by saying I am in no way a certified diesel mechanic, more of a uncertain meddler trying to find his way in the dark, so someone else may scorn what I have written, but I can say it worked for me at the time and perhaps some of it may work for you. Just remember a split second shot of starter fluid goes along way and is potentially hazardous to your engine if sprayed too much because it is so volatile in a diesel situation. Good Luck and hope your car troubles decrease!

Fri Nov 19, 2004 2:42 pm

In addition to all the other stuff you do, I'll add...

One word:

STANDYNE

Look it up on their website to find out where you can get their diesel additives & anti-gel stuff.

It costs me $5.30 per bottle - and treats 8 tanks-full on my Rabbit. I've jumped up a couple mpg, and the little diesel is running great (with 240,000 miles). Right now I'm running the cold weather solution. In about a month I'll start using the Extreme Cold additive.

PM me if you want to know other stuff I've done for cold-weather driving of my diesel here in Minnesotie.

JSH

Fri Nov 19, 2004 3:39 pm

Thank you both for your advice!
I bought a bottle of anti-gel (which i currently forget the name of) and on a relatively warm day got it to start, filled up the tank, took a bit of a drive, and parked it in the garage. Calgary has frequent warm periods between its cold snaps so I've been taking it out when the weather permits.
Thank you again, I will be looking both of your reccomendations just as soon as I stumble upon the time!

Mon Nov 22, 2004 7:14 pm

:D In the many years of owning diesel VW's from Dashers to Caddies to Vanagons....they do tend to get cranky in the morn....

use a quick shot of starting fluid to wake those babies up. Yeah, it burns the tips of the glow plugs....but what the heck, they are cheaper to replace than a starter......

quick shot in the air cleaner snorkle and it will fire (word on the street it will blow the intake off....that has never occured with mine....but they say, NEVER SAY NEVER) :roll:

JC Whitney sold a neat block heater perfect for the in line diesel Volksie. It was a heavy magnetic unit with a short 3 prong plug. Attach it to the front of the oil pan...plug it in.....strong enough not to fall off :oops:

In big trucks , Series 60 DD and our Cats, we use Delo 400 or Delo Sythetic oils....15-40. You can douche up the tank with all sorts of thinners for your fuel tanks...but just fill it up with a good brand of diesel...a good 900 amp hour battery sure helps. The one for the F-350 Ford Diesel is perfect match for my Caddy turbo....my Vanagons run dual batteries just because I had an extra battery :twisted:

Mon Nov 22, 2004 7:20 pm

weinerwagen wrote: :D In the many years of owning diesel VW's from Dashers to Caddies to Vanagons....they do tend to get cranky in the morn....

use a quick shot of starting fluid to wake those babies up. Yeah, it burns the tips of the glow plugs....but what the heck, they are cheaper to replace than a starter......

quick shot in the air cleaner snorkle and it will fire (word on the street it will blow the intake off....that has never occured with mine....but they say, NEVER SAY NEVER) :roll:
I think the key is "quick shot" as opposed to "empty half the can" into the air cleaner.

I used starting fluid for years, back when I was running a lot of GM diesels. Of course, I wouldn't really have cared if I would have blown the head off one of those old beasts.

JSH

Mon Nov 22, 2004 10:45 pm

I know how to get it running good... bring it back to the island. It got up to 15 c today :lol:. Get a block heater, run extreme cold additives and make sure your glow plugs are glowing. Other than that, all I can suggest is keeping it in a warm garage or go back to BC.

Tue Nov 23, 2004 7:10 am

JamesT wrote: I know how to get it running good... bring it back to the island. It got up to 15 c today :lol:. Get a block heater, run extreme cold additives and make sure your glow plugs are glowing. Other than that, all I can suggest is keeping it in a warm garage or go back to BC.

I used to hear people talk about how keeping your diesel in a heated garage was a bad idea, because when you drove out into the cold, it caused condensation in your fuel tank - which would obviously lead to problems.

Anybody know if that's true?

JSH

Sat Nov 27, 2004 1:41 am

Condensation in a tank is usually caused by the fluid in the tank being warmer than the air outside the tank (just like a cold drink on a hot day, only backwards). It is all in the temperature difference. On a -20c day, driving out of room temperature garage may cause condensation and a whole whack of other problems, but having your car stored in an area about 10 degrees warmer won't cause too much harm, and would just get your car to a temperature that it'll just barely start in. If a 10 degree or whatever difference isn't enough, then you need to fall back on the original plan, a block heater. Keep in mind, it never gets that cold around here, so I just know what I've been told mostly.

Fri Dec 03, 2004 5:14 pm

Those magnetic plug in block heaters work great, We used 2 of them last winter when we had a string of 30 days where it did'nt get much above 0 to 10 degrees, and most mornings @ 7a.m. it was -20 or colder, and these were gas powered cars.............

Thu Dec 09, 2004 11:13 am

A regular block heater is a pretty cheap install. I think it cost me US$65 parts and labor to have one intalled on my MB300SD 2 years ago. Much cheaper than blowing your engine up with starting fluid.

Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:51 pm

a few hints from a diesel mechanic.
best block hearter for vw diesel "Kats" brand part #K4SR
replaces one "freeze plug" they work great and have installed tons for customers..starting fluid best used in moderation, best if you have a helper to spray a little while cranking..as to the tales of blowing up, do not use glow plugs with fluid unless they are heated first and the engine is cranking when fluid is applied..more important than anything else ensure proper glow plug operation and have clean treated fuel and clean fuel filter that plus a good batty. = easy starts

Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:34 am

I have a 1982 Westfalia Diesel and it has difficulty starting in cold temps. A block heater is a must in Canadian winters. A diesel starts on compression, not spark like gasoline engines and having warm oil will definately help. Also having a strong starter and a clean air filter. I have used the quik start spray in the air filter but understand its not a good option all the time.

Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:19 am

in a pinch for gelled fuel...
do what you can to warm the engine and injection. make a temp. fuel sysytem using the lines from the filter housing to a can of clean winterized fuel. a couple feet of fuel hose and a gallon or so of clean fuel will get you a long way. If that is not something that you care to try, in a pinch toss a couple gallons of clean kero. in the tank to thin the fuel and try from there. Kero does not provide the lubricity that diesel does but will do no damage in the short term and will thin the fuel to help prevent gelling. If one continues to use Kero. as an anti gel the addition of a lubricity additive is recomended. best of luck.. get a "kats" K4SR block heater installed