Really rough when cold - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• Really rough when cold by kiff on 07 Apr, 2008 20:16
• So I have been chasing down a cold starting problem for awhile now.  When I fire up the car it smokes like crazy, only running on 3 cycl (#2 is not firing) and runs super rough, after about 5-10mins, she smartens up, no smoke at all and runs on all 4.
  
  I have replaced my glow plugs, still can't figure out what the issue might be.
• #1 by blkboostedtruck on 07 Apr, 2008 20:34
• time for compression test? or stickey injector or pump feed?
  Duane
• #2 by truckinwagen on 07 Apr, 2008 20:36
• my car does the same thing, I have to put a heater under it in the winter to even get it to start at all.
  
  even if everything checks out alright these motors can be a pain when cold.
• #3 by Vincent Waldon on 07 Apr, 2008 20:53
• Two suggestions... in the order I'd do 'em in t'were it me:
  
  
  -  swap #2 injector and another one, and see if the trouble follows the injector.  
  
  - check your compression with the engine stone cold, and then once it's warmed up
  
  My personal experience, fwiw,  is that a diesel with good compression, good injectors, good timing, good glowplugs, nice synthetic oil, and a good battery will start at -30C without additional heaters the very first time you crank it.   If it's hard to start *something* is probably amiss.
• #4 by truckinwagen on 07 Apr, 2008 21:02
• that is true, however I have chased what is wrong so long and invested too much time and money and came up with nothing, so I am happy to stop worrying and put a heater under it
• #5 by kiff on 07 Apr, 2008 21:08
• the car still starts just fine.  I Don't have a compression tester for a diesel, I may try moving the injectors around
• #6 by Vincent Waldon on 07 Apr, 2008 22:35
• Quote from: "truckinwagen"

  that is true, however I have chased what is wrong so long and invested too much time and money and came up with nothing, so I am happy to stop worrying and put a heater under it

  
  
  Yup... at a certain point you kinda hit diminishing returns on the detective work and go for what works, don't ya.
• #7 by turbosuzi on 21 May, 2008 20:56
• how do you know if a cyl is not firing on a diesel? I am having the same symptoms and was thinking that a cyl is not firing but I am not sure how to tell or why one would not fore.
• #8 by kiff on 21 May, 2008 20:57
• Crack each injector, you should hear the idle drop.  Mine does not drop when cold, but does when warm.