Cold Start Stutter and Smoke

[Manitoba Delica]

I'm curious to know more about cold starting. When I first got my Delica to MAnitoba, it was below 25 and my Deli started up like a charm. Turn over twice and vrooooom. This is after I installed an 875 cold cranking amp battery. I was happy that the block heater worked, and glow plugs must be good. Now, several months later, in -10 after being plugged in all night, I have to play with the gas pedal/choke to get it to catch. It always starts after a few cranks, but often dies right away. The second time I crank it I hold the starter on for a bit longer and it goes, but it smokes a lot and I have to monitor for the first few seconds. This might be normal in cold conditions, but it started so much smoother when I first got only mnths ago. Is there an obvious reason for these issues?? The glow pugs seem to be OK, but I wonder if there is a fuel issue.... I'm not to educated on choke usage. I love letting it idle at 15,000 RPMs....the van warms up nice and quick for the family. Is there proper technique for using it?? Should I pop it out before starting?? Should I be pumping the gas pedal before starting? It doesn't seem to make a difference. Thanks for any cold starting tips.....

One other question on oil types..... My friend is raving about synthetic oil 0W40..... Is this a good idea for the cold climate in winter months??


If the human mind was simple enough for us to understand it, we would be too simple to understand ....

[marsgal42]

This is standard, and well documented in the owner's manual: if it's cold (below about 5, in my experience), you hold the accelerator to the floor during cranking. The engine will fool around a bit, and you use the hand throttle (it's not a choke) to maintain revs in the 1200 to 1500 RPM range until you're ready to set off. Drive gently for the first couple of kilometers, then drive normally.

Yes, they smoke at cold start. They're diesels. They do that.

...laura

[Fishtank]

I love letting it idle at 15,000 RPMs....the van warms up nice and quick for the family.

Wow, I think if I let mine idle at 15,000 RPM it would get warm quick too.... an explosion type of warm. . What you are describing seems normal as for starting in cold climates, maybe check your block heater to make sure you are getting heat to the block.

[TardisDeli]

Hi ManitobaDeli, our deli got harder to start as a slight leak at the fuel pump got worse (probably the gasket was deteriorating). I didnt think it would cause THAT much problem, but it did, as a pressurized system.

Also, having owned diesels in the past, I ask are you sure about your diesel fuel quality, "waxy worm buildup" especially in the cold, use a biocide / conditioner. I'm not an expert, but my VW mechanics looked so-o-o sad when dealing with this. And keep the fuel tank Full, and check your fuel system for water which you need to remove.

Cheers, Christine of the TardisDeli.

[EricN]

If you need to hold any amout of throttle you have an issue plain and simple. Most probable cause is an air leak or the lift pump bleeding off inside the injection pump. Even down to -10, all I have to do is turn key, engine fires instantly, then feed a touch of hand throttle after it starts to get it up to about 1100 rpm untill the glow stop cycling and everything smoothes out.

[Manitoba Delica]

It definately catches instantly so I let off of the starter then it dies, the second time I start it, it catches better and after a bit of stutter it smooths out. How do you tell when the glow plugs stop cycling? I thought they just prewarm and then they are done. How can I check about leaky fuel pump? I would think these cold starting symptoms were normal, except that a month ago, under the same cold conditions, it was firing so much smoother. thanks for tips

[EricN]

Like I said, AIR or lift pump bleeding off. When you park the thing, put a clamp on the fuel flex line at the filter, When you go to start it again, take the clamp off then crank. If it starts fine, the lift pump is bleeding down, put an auxillary lift pump in. If it is still bad, then it is probably leaking out of the pump.

[northvanmatt]

I also had the a slight problem starting in the morning. I had to hold the pedal to the floor, BIG cloud of black smoke then it fired up. After that it would start fine and run great all day. I was talking to mardy and brought my van to CVI for the delica tune and holy moly what a difference. it starts on the first crank no more cloud of death and runs way better. if you are having any problems starting of rought idling take it in, I thought my van ran fine and that all diesels started rought in the morn but after the tune huge difference.

[Schwa]

from the sounds of it, a possibility is the injection pump timing is out - that can happen if the timing belt jumps a notch, or is replaced or worn. checking it and setting it requires a special tool and some experience, so you'll have to bring it to someone familiar with this type of diesel engine to have it done if that's the problem.