turbo diesel cold start handle - what is it for?

[pimpdriver]

Hi,

My 1.6 Turbo diesel T25 has a "cold start" handle.

Bit of a stupid question, but when and how should I use it? Is it like a petrol car carburettor choke? (pull it out and push in when warmed up?)

I would be grateful if someone could explain how it works so I don't bugger it up.

Cheers,

Steve

[Ivorblueun]

when its really cold such as in winter pull it out to aid starting then push it in when the engine has got up to temp, if its below -15C crank the starter until the engine is firing regulary before pulling it out.

[TD]

this advances 'ignition' by 5 degrees.
I always use it. others say never use it. But it was stiff on mine and soon boke the T piece off, so pull the stump out now.
as the man said, bwlow -15C don't use it. BUT if it gets that here the roads will be impassable anyway so you won't need the van at all.
the country will come to a halt, also the diesel will freeze unless you have best winter diesel in ,or a fuel heater, or put petrol mix in.
BTW correct starting procedure on TD?
as soon as glow plug light goes out depress accererator 1/3 pedal travel when when engaging starter.
do not pushj starter kob in until engine reached normal operating temperature to avoid any stalling.

Warm engine?, if the glow plugs do not come on then start without depressing acceraor or pulling out the cold starter.

All per Mr VW's Instruction Manual.

[pimpdriver]

hello,

Thanks for the advice. I have got a book with the van but haven't read it (sorry......)

I am too used to my wife's A4 1.9TDI (may nick the engine and ECU when she isn't looking) where you just turn the key (unless like today when you find out a small child turned the interior light on above her head ON FRIDAY and today the battery was pancake shaped.....)

Cheers,

Steve

[gdavies6]

Am I right in guess that this is the small lever to the left and below the level of the steering wheel?

[pimpdriver]

yes that is the one. I have used the tips for starting properly, and it is starting better now.

Cheers,
Steve

[gdavies6]

CHeers for the tip lads. Van starts much better now.

[syncropaddy]

..... if its below -15C crank the starter until the engine is firing regulary before pulling it out.


This statement is nonsence. The idea of a cold starting device is to aid the starting process so you should pull out the knob BEFORE you even operate the glow plugs ESPICIALLY when its -15C and then start the engine and push in the knob when operating temp is reached.

Do you know that if you read the manual thats what it will say !!!!!!!![/quote]

[R0B]

i have noticed on mine.its difficult to pull the thing out.
until i crank the engine.

[syncropaddy]

yup that was the same on both of mine. Crank over and pull at the same time

[Ivorblueun]

syncropaddy just read your comments on not using/ using cold start advance below -15 thats vw's own recommendations from their user hand book, translated crank the engine so its firing, it can fire without running and when at this stage oil pressure will be up things a little looser then pull out the cold start, but its academic as most us will never experience temps that low.

[syncropaddy]

Vehicle Instruction Manual 1987 part number 872.5622.58.20

Page 32 Paragraph entitled Starting a cold engine

The knob of the cold starting device should be pulled out FULLY before operating starter regardless of the ambient temperature

Thats what VW say

[Ivorblueun]

seems Vw can't agree then, no on my manual says 000.5622.55.20 so guess mines earlier edition though my 89 1.6td passat said similar,

[banana]

If you pull out before starting, you end up with a piece of black plastic in your hand with a hole in it. I pull the handle just after turning over. I have effected a repair to the broken handle involving a brass bracket, one self tapping screw and sticky tape. My wife doesnt get the critical timing of the pull verses turnover right and so I regularly screw the handle back in. But it really is a bit of rubbish design for a VW.