Member Since: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Grenoble
Posts: 116
Cold start problem - any thoughts?
Every time I park outside and the temperature goes down below zero I have the following starting problem...
The engine fires immediately (having waited for the coil symbol to extinguish) but then 'dead cuts' if I release the key. To start successfully I need to hold the key for a minimum of 30 seconds during which the rpm drops back to 2-300rpm, the battery light comes on and there are clouds of exhaust smoke. The engine slowly cranks and increases speed until the battery light goes out and it settles down at 7-800 rpm. OK we are in business . Luckily I have a new battery, which was checked on Friday, so no loss of HDC/ electrical services etc but... my mate who has the same model D3 with an old battery starts quickly and easily parked next to me !
Its going in for service next Monday at a local independant (Toyota specialist) who no doubt will sort it out straight away - but I just thought I would see if anybody has had a similar experience/ knows what the problem is etc so I can start to budget for it!,
Thanks for any help or advice anyone can offer .TDV6 HSE AUTO
Defender 90 CSW
5th Dec 2010 6:50 pm
The Transformer
Member Since: 22 Jan 2010
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 1791
Ours was a bit of a poor starter when we first got it, I put a bottle of good injector cleaner through and has been great since.
i put redex in mine all the time not only cleans but also treats the diseal as when its cold your fuel thickens and takes more effort to start on cold sh#ty mornings thats when you find out your battery is good or bad diseall likes to be warm to run its a bit like me i dont like to sprint at 6.00 am slow walk first always up to somert usualy no good acording to swmbo
5th Dec 2010 7:32 pm
GrenobleLandy
Member Since: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Grenoble
Posts: 116
Thanks guys. I have put the odd bottle of 'supermarket shelf' (wynns) injector cleaner in before filling up - maybe twice over the summer months - do you think thats not enough or do I need something a bit more 'hardcore'? The thing that confuses me is that my pal has no problem at all with starting and we use the same decent Esso filling station etc (he adds nothing to the fuel)... Just bad luck?
Out of interest, when I mention it at the service is there some way the garage can give them a good clean out or something? (its just that we go up to the ski resorts most weekends and I hate 1. hoping it doesnt get too cold and 2. looking like a bit of a c**k in a cloud of smoke with every bloody chained up Twingo starting effortlessly !)
CheersTDV6 HSE AUTO
Defender 90 CSW
I'm thinking you may have a couple or more glow plugs down. I used to have exactly the same symptoms with a previous diesel Isuzu Trooper. 3 out of the 4 glow plugs had failed, everything worked great after replacement. Not too sure of the cost though. Run silent, run deep!! HM Submarines Conqueror, Churchill, Renown, Ocelot, Porpoise, Onslaught.
Oh Lord! send down a dove, with wings as sharp as razors.
To cut the throats of men, that sell bad beer to sailors.
if you are having a servise, if they have diagnostics that should tell if a glow plug fault is to blame. in the summer i put a tin of 10k boost in to the air in take to the turbo and the sh t that blew out the exhaus wow! and the car seemed to have its voooom back would recomend that if your motor as plenty of miles too can get it from halfords around £20 for a big tin always up to somert usualy no good acording to swmbo
5th Dec 2010 10:09 pm
dick dastardly
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: wiggleigh bottom
Posts: 1112
put additive with every tank in winter. helps bind water molecules (there are some in diesel !), clean injectors and lower freezig point of waxes. also charge battery at weekends. get an fbh mod to warm engine. i have no probs. starts -15C easilyThere's one wheel on my wagon, but i'm still rollin' along, it's the cherokee, they're after me, but I'm singing a happy song
6th Dec 2010 12:00 am
Roel
Member Since: 16 Aug 2008
Location: home
Posts: 1215
Buy a V8 Mine didn't have problem starting at -22. I have some other problem but it starts everytime.Roel
1997 Camel Trophy Disco ex-P101JWK (traded it for a Britains 42101)
1984 90 TD5
2005 G4 Disco 3 BN55WPT
Also member of club MTR
and Club Faultmate
Interested in my 4x4 history see my website: www.mudmachine.webklik.nl
Sorry it's in Dutch and with google translator it gets funny.
6th Dec 2010 9:50 am
GrenobleLandy
Member Since: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Grenoble
Posts: 116
Glow plugs etc to be checked at the service next week - thanks guys.TDV6 HSE AUTO
Defender 90 CSW
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. Luckily I have a new battery, which was checked on Friday, so no loss of HDC/ electrical services etc but... my mate who has the same model D3 with an old battery starts quickly and easily parked next to me 
!
- but I just thought I would see if anybody has had a similar experience/ knows what the problem is etc so I can start to budget for it!,
.
mornings thats when you find out your battery is good or bad diseall likes to be warm to run its a bit like me i dont like to sprint at 6.00 am slow walk first 
and 2. looking like a bit of a c**k in a cloud of smoke with every bloody chained up Twingo starting effortlessly 
!)
