Cold Start R reg Diesel LWB Hi Top

[MrBlueSkye]

Hi all this brass monkeys weather is giving me starting problems, yesterday she started on the third turn over but struggled. Today in preparation I put a 240v fan heater underneath the engine for 40 minutes beforehand, all to no avail. Turned her over until the battery went flat. Anyone got any suggestions or tips for cold starting.
Steve

The lad was pleased as it meant he got the day off school.

[Fast but dim]

easystart works a treat.dont know if its good long term.

[madmark]

easystart isnt a good idea you need cranking power ,you must have a perfect battery on a diesel ,the faster you get that engine turning the quicker it will fire,it sounds like your battery isnt upto the job !

[phil g]

yeh almost certain to be battery

[MrBlueSkye]

Well spotted chaps!!! After my posting this morning put it on charge, this afternoon took it off charge and it started at the first turn off the key.

Thanks all.............

[madmark]

the problem with the di is in this wether they need a exelent batery,allthough when the engine is turning over you think the battery sounds ok but its not, i have had this problem many a time!

[Nighthawk]

Looks like this has been sorted, but i'll add a little about why the cranking speed matters so much.

A diesel engine relies on the heat generated on the compression stroke to ignite the atomised fuel, so the speed at which the cylinder charge is compressed is crucial, the faster the air is squeezed the hotter it gets.

I like the twin battery options on the Di engine, spins the motor over without a problem then.

[madmark]

nighthauk you are spot on as useuall ,i think we will make you the site doctor if you dont mind!

[v64paul]

just slightly off topic, i find that diesels in general get addicted to easy start! it's probably due to the fact that once you use it, the original problem does'nt go away. the only cure for this addiction is a re-build. on some older engines i've had a snapped crank due to over use of the stuff. so be careful....

[FredTransit]

just slightly off topic, i find that diesels in general get addicted to easy start! it's probably due to the fact that once you use it, the original problem does'nt go away. the only cure for this addiction is a re-build. on some older engines i've had a snapped crank due to over use of the stuff. so be careful....

I have always known easy start is addictive, but snapped crank??!! How did that happen??!! Does it stress the engine in some way?

[MrMPuk]

I've had snapped cranks on engines due to easy start, the problem is that easy start is ether and is injected in to the air intake so can go into the cylinders in the incorrect firing order and cause firing at the wrong time, thus snapping the crank.

Not to sure why or how an engine becomes addicted to the stuff but you will find that if you use it all winter to start the engine when summer comes back again it still wont start without it, until eventually it wont start at all.

[bortaf]

My escort Diesel has been a pig to start i swap the battery in the winter for a bigger one (with a car i store during the winter), it's the only way to get the dam thing started in the winter even with new G plugs.
Thr Di fires first time every time, mind you i dont go out till 2PM usually

[MrMPuk]

A mate of mine has got an Isuzu Trooper and he has the same problem and they all have dual battery as standard, he has just paid less than £200 for a system that you fit in the cooling system that circulates got water round to keep the engine warm and now has no problems.

I will try and get the details and post them, the other bonus in the winter is that he has instant heating!

[gazza]

My escort Diesel has been a pig to start i swap the battery in the winter for a bigger one (with a car i store during the winter), it's the only way to get the dam thing started in the winter even with new G plugs.
Thr Di fires first time every time, mind you i dont go out till 2PM usually

ive been running ford diesels for ages now, when you go to start it wait for the orange light to go out, then wait till you hear a click from the relay, you will also see the oil/alternator lights get a bit brighter after the relay clicks, do this twice and they start loads better, i currently run an orion and a fiesta, they both have new batterys and i regularly check the resistance of the heater plugs. so it aint that!

[MrMPuk]

The Di doesn't have glow plugs!