What to Do When a Diesel Engine Won't Start Due to Cold Weather?
2 Answers
Six solutions for a car that won't start in cold weather: 1. When the battery power is insufficient and the vehicle cannot start: You can find a car with a fully charged battery, park the two cars front to front, and use jumper cables to borrow power from the other car's battery to start your vehicle. 2. For older vehicles that are difficult to start: Try pressing the accelerator while turning the key, as this can help the vehicle start to some extent. 3. Automatic transmission vehicles should be in P (Park) mode: Check if the gear is in P mode for automatic transmission vehicles. If not, the vehicle cannot be started. 4. Use the preheating system to start the engine: Diesel vehicles in winter need to utilize the preheating system to start the engine. Turn the key to the power-on position and wait for the preheating light on the dashboard to go out before the car can be used normally. 5. Push-start the vehicle: Have a companion push the car from behind while you turn the key to attempt starting. 6. Pour hot water on the vehicle's oil pan: Use hot water to raise the engine temperature, increasing the fluidity of the oil to help the vehicle start more easily.
I drove diesel cars for many years, especially in northern winters, and often encountered starting problems. The main reason is that diesel fuel tends to wax and thicken in low temperatures, clogging fuel lines and pipes, leading to insufficient fuel supply. The solution is to install a preheating plug system in advance, which heats the combustion chamber to aid ignition. In cold weather, it's best to let the engine warm up for a minute or two before starting, observing the preheating indicator light on the dashboard to go off. Also, check the battery's health, as low temperatures can reduce its charge; keeping the battery fully charged is crucial. I recommend using winter-specific anti-freeze diesel, which contains wax-resistant additives to reduce clogging. Once, when my car wouldn't start in the early morning, I successfully used an external heater to wrap around the fuel lines. Remember, avoid continuous cranking to prevent damage to the starter motor; wait a few seconds before trying again. Regular maintenance of the fuel system and cleaning the filters can also prevent issues.
