i' ve never had a diesel before!

[tomsneade]

Hi, is it usual to have to use the choke every time on a diesel engine and for it to struggle for 10 secs or so before firing up? I am used to my petrol car flashing up first time! Many thanks in advance for any comments. Tom

[Titus A Duxass]

It sounds like you need to check the glow plugs, glow plug fuse and glow plug relay..
Take a look at the Wiki, it's at the top of the page here.

[Red Westie]

Cold start lever from cold only and although they do run lumpy and kick out a puff of smoke it shouldn't be struggling to start for 10 seconds.
The normal cold start operation should be pull out choke/advance mechanism, turn key to ignition position and wait until the orange glow plug light goes out (1-8 seconds depending on temperature) then crank the engine....it should start within 1-3 seconds.
Poor cold start issues are often down to failed glow plugs or a faulty glow plug relay.

Martin

[rainman]

Either it's not a diesel or it's not a choke. Old diesels can be a bugger to start compared to similar aged petrols, especially in cold weather, they rely on compression for ignition and that can be lacking in engines of this age.

[horns]

It's a cold start lever. But we knew what he meant...

[rainman]

Ah ok, I don't know the diesels and was confused by the mention of a choke.

As you were...

[DanO]

I've used it a couple of times during the very cold weather we had, but don't normally use it during the 1 1/2 years we've owned our van. It's a cold start lever so I assume only necessary when it's very cold. There was a technical explanation a while ago about exactly how it works.....have a search.

[T-3PO]

... for what it's worth I have to use the cold start lever everytime i startup, I know its the fuel pump timing out (i read it on here ) and I know it needs doing and I know it's climbing higher on my to-do lists!

[matt brighton]

Hi,

The original diesel owners handbook says.................

Before starting a cold engine,the knob of the cold starting aid should be pulled out fully.
At very low temperatures (below -10 C ) the knob should not be pulled out until the engine is firing regularly.
Ignition key to position 2 - glow plug lamp goes out when ignition temp is reached. -
Do not press the accelerator pedal when starting
Do not push knob of cold starting aid in until engine has reached normal operating temp otherwise engine may tend to stall when idling"


Regards

Matt

ps - I have always used millers diesel power sport in my previous diesel cars - claims to improve MPG clean injectors, improve cetane ratine (like going from 4 to 5 star) and improve bhp. I find it works for me and do notice better mpg..... but opinions are divided on the merits of aftermarket addatives - some swear by them - others swear at them.... but as I say - I find the millers to work for me...

Matt - brighton

[tomsneade]

Cheers Matt, thats been a great help. Tom.