[Vwdiesel] cold tdi

[James Hansen]

Have a look at the passenger side of the head where there is a flange bolted
to the head that hoses go to.  There are a few sensor looking things with a
nut holding a ring connector on the end.  They are the coolant glow plugs.
VW recognized the need to bring the car up to operating temp sooner so these
are basically glow plugs that heat the coolant as it leaves the head on it's
way to the heater core.  Might want to check these to see if they are open.
There are three IIRC.
You can investigate your blend door- if the insulation on the blend door is
shot, it leaks cold air continuously to the hot side.  Also the actuator-
see if the door is closing.  I had to fiddle with the Passat IIRC regarding
this.
 I agree with you on dressing for the elements, but my wife hasn't the
tolerance for cold that I do, and a happy wife makes a happy life.
-james


> -----Original Message-----
> From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com]
> On Behalf Of Justin Bennett
> Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:09 PM
> To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> Subject: [Vwdiesel] cold tdi
> 
> Yes it is a TDI.  This is the first I have heard of coolant glow
> plugs.  Just to clarify with the radiator covered the temps come up in
> about 5 miles.  I am located in AK so we haven't seen temps above 20
> where I am at in about 2 or 3 months.   The stuff I am using to cover
> the radiator is Gill liner.  It is a fiberglass paneling that is used
> in the cargo pits of aircraft.  I have found this winter that by
> keeping a small gap, less then an inch, between the Gill liner and the
> radiator that the heat seems to build better then having it lying
> directly on radiator surface.  Makes a pocket of still air to insulate
> things.  Haven't checked it out yet but a hotter thermostat might work
> if such a critter exists.  I have wondered about the a/c blending
> contributing to the extra cooling of the coolant.  In the grand scheme
> of things as long as I am able to maintain the engine temps in the
> operating range I am not going to go worry about it.  Since I
>  have to work outside some nights at work I just dress up and go.  Firm
> believer that if you have to have a warm car to start the drive with
> then you probably are underdressed.  Especially in tropical settings
> like Montana and Alaska.
> Justin
> 
> 
> Is this a TDI?  If so, your coolant glow plugs may be nonfunctional.
> At 20 degrees It takes about 2 miles to get my 04 warm and the same
> was true for my 98.  Hayden
> On Dec 19, 2009, at 11:07 AM, Justin Bennett wrote:
> 
> > I wished I had a nice toasty warm car.  But at these temperatures my
> > 98 Jetta shows its VW parentage.  Even with the radiator blocked off
> > I cannot run the heater more then 1/4 above full cold or the engine
> > will not get up to operating temp.  So I dress warm and run the
> > defrost on cold.  The bonus is that when I park any new snow doesn't
> > melt and then refreeze. So no scraping a lot of mornings.  No it
> > isn't the thermostat.  Two new German thermostats and no change.
> > Justin
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
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