[Vwdiesel] Cold Starting

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

  Lots of hash and rehash but as I've always preached to friends and family 
who'll listen.  DO THIS STUFF IN THE FALL!  :-)  I'll run through a few in 
kind-of order.  One came as a real surprise to me.
1)  Glow plugs, make sure all work, get power and the relay is working.
2)  Battery.  Group 41, not 42, at least 850CCA
3)  Cranking speed.  Need a rebuilt starter, new battery cable, or better 
     ground connections?  It should spin fast enough you really can't
     count the revs.  I found that a Bosch rebuilt starter cranked a LOT 
     faster than mine even after going completely through it.  
4)  Oil.  Never used synthetic just 15W/40 Cennex, which is supposed 
     to be really similar to a Mobil of the same weight.  In a good engine 
      it doesn't start to appreciably slow things down until below 0F.
5)  Injectors.  If they don't spray right, it won't start right in WARM 
     weather.  Forget about cold weather.
6)  Timing.  Set it right and make sure the timing advance was in when 
     you set it.  Check the pump to be sure it's ALL the way in.  Also 
     make sure it advances all the way when you pull it out.
7)  Compression.  It's really higher up the list but it doesn't tend to get 
     checked unless there are problems.  Low compression might be 
     a stuck ring or a leaking valve but is probably worn rings.  It 
     might get better with good oil, etc. and elves MIGHT fix it 
     near Christmas time too!  ;-D
8)  Fuel filter.  Dirty or wet fuel filters don't help in warm weather and 
     clog up MUCH easier in cold.
9)  Fuel lines and connections.  Old fuel lines can weep just enough 
     to be wet yet let in bubbles.  They can let in air without leaking 
     also.  Check ALL connections to be sure clamps are snug.  Cold 
     fuel is thicker and the higher suction will pull in air where it won't 
     normally in warmer wether.
10) Air filter.  Diesels suck a lot of air even at cranking speed and a 
     dirty air filter can keep them from starting.

  That pretty well covers it.  One winter my brother-in-law ignored 
rule #1 on his Rabbit and #10 on his Volvo.  Both cars sat out most 
of the winter leaving him with a diesel pu.  He claims it didn't start 
one day yet on the coldest night that year I ran into my sister driving 
it and I was in my Rabbit diesel.  He sold all his diesels that spring.  :-(
  One other tip Dad found on his 5.7 and it works on most others 
I've tried it on.  Get in, sit down and turn the key straight to the 
start position for a revolution or two.  THEN turn it off and go to 
glow.  It seems that fresh air or whatever that bit of a crank does, 
makes them start up much better ESPECIALLY when it's cold out.
  Hope this helps someone.
     Loren