Diesel engine start

[tomsneade]

Hi, I have, for the first time a diesel engine. I have been told that when turning on the ignition that it is important not to turn it all the way but to wait for about 20 secs mid point. Is this information correct? Many thanks in advance for your help. Tom.

[VWCamperfan]

It is, yes. It's to allow the glow plugs to heat up before starting the engine. You should have a light on the dashboard that illuminates when ignition is first turned on, then goes out after a few seconds. The engine can be started when this light goes out, indicating the glow plugs are up to temperature.

[peasant]

Also make it your habit when starting from cold to pull the "choke" (the little sqare tab on the dashboard). This advances injection timing and makes cold starts less laboured. Push it back in after you drive off.

This cold start lever can be a bit stiff when the engine is cold and off, it runs quite smoothly when the engine is warm and was just running ..so make it your habit to pull the lever the moment you switch off the engine for longer periods so it will be pulled in the morning automatically.

[T-3PO]

Never rev a cold diesel engine on start-up, most run 'lumpy' for a little, even modern ones, just let it run and it'll soon smooth out.

This cold start lever can be a bit stiff when the engine is cold and off

Guess who forgot about that the other day? Guess who yanked it and broke an already broken T handle? Guess who found out the T handle is now obsolete? Guess who's gunna get busy with the Araldite?

[ermie571]

Never rev a cold diesel engine on start-up, most run 'lumpy' for a little, even modern ones, just let it run and it'll soon smooth out.

This cold start lever can be a bit stiff when the engine is cold and off

Guess who forgot about that the other day? Guess who yanked it and broke an already broken T handle? Guess who found out the T handle is now obsolete? Guess who's gunna get busy with the Araldite?

been thinking and thinking on this. Its not me, pretty sure of that coz I have a petrol van. Go on, give us a clue

[kevtherev]

er..erm...is it T-3PO