How to start a diesel car in cold weather?

Winter is a testing period for all drivers without exception. And for drivers of diesel cars, frosts give additional trouble. Yes, a diesel engine has many advantages, but its operation in winter requires increased attention. However, with proper preparation of the car, starting the engine in winter will not cause big problems. Let's figure out what needs to be foreseen in advance.

Why won't a diesel engine start in cold weather?

There are many reasons why an engine does not start well when cold. We list some common ones:

• low compression in cylinders;
• frozen fuel lines and fuel in them;
• engine oil has thickened;
• low battery level, faulty starter;
• failed glow plugs;
• air in the fuel system;
• faulty injection pump and injectors.

How to start a diesel engine in cold weather?

To facilitate winter starting, a diesel engine uses glow plugs - devices that quickly warm up the combustion chamber within a few seconds. After turning the ignition key, the symbol for the operation of candles (usually a spiral) will light up on the instrument panel, which goes out after two to five seconds, depending on the temperature of the engine - you can turn on the starter. On cars with an engine start button, everything is even simpler: after pressing the button, the system itself will maintain the necessary pause until the starter is turned on.

In particularly cold conditions, you can turn on the glow plugs several times in a row by turning the ignition key, but not turning on the starter, or by pressing the start button without holding the brake pedal (the starter will not turn on in this case). But these are already redundant measures for very cold winters, because modern diesel engines, when using winter diesel fuel and the right oils, easily start the first time after a night stop even at -30 degrees.

How to properly operate a diesel engine in winter?

Features of the operation of diesel engines in winter are due to the presence of frost, in which the fuel behaves quite capriciously, as a result of which malfunctions occur with some elements. The fact is that at low temperatures, diesel fuel has a very detrimental effect on the fuel equipment and the engine itself, because it thickens.

The main advantage of a diesel engine is its fuel efficiency, which is achieved due to a sufficiently high pressure in the combustion chamber, which is not the case in a gasoline engine, where ignition occurs due to the supply of a spark using a spark plug. Another difference between these engines is that the air in the gasoline power unit is supplied separately from the fuel. The diesel gets an air-fuel mixture. In addition, diesels are more durable. The high torque generated by the motor allows the car to work in the most difficult conditions. It is as a result of this that diesel is used in SUVs and trucks.

The main disadvantage of all diesel-powered cars is that they need the proper operation of a diesel engine, since it is extremely capricious and places high demands on fuel, especially in winter. Solar oil contains paraffin. At positive temperatures, this does not affect the operation of the car in any way, however, when the cold comes, the fuel becomes cloudy, and the filters begin to become clogged with paraffin threads. As a result, the vehicle cannot be started.

To start a diesel engine, you need powerful battery. Its real capacitance in the cold decreases, as a result of which in the morning it can no longer provide the required amount of starting current. To avoid this, at night it is advisable to remove the battery from the car and bring it into a warm room.

If the engine does not start, it is desirable warm up car in a heated room. But, if this is not possible, you can use boiling water or a blowtorch for heating (this method is not entirely safe). In this matter, also, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of engines of this type. First of all, the diesel engine has a high efficiency, at idle and in the cold it is quite difficult to warm it up. The second nuance is that the action of the engine at idle (minimum speed) indicates a low oil pressure in the engine lubrication system and refers to difficult operating conditions. Therefore, the best option is warming up 5-10 minutes, depending on the outside air temperature. During this period of time, the coolant warms up to 40-50 degrees Celsius, the oil liquefies, the parts warm up, and the fuel in the cylinders fully burns out.

After this warm-up, smoothly start moving at low speeds and a lower gear. In warm weather, no more than 1-2 minutes of warming up the diesel engine before driving will be enough, and when driving, the engine will warm up completely and quickly.

Need to pay attention on the quality and condition of engine oil. It is necessary to fill in only oils recommended by the manufacturer, and this should be done as often as possible, for example, every eight to nine thousand kilometers. In winter, it is advisable to fill the engine with only those oils that are intended for the operation of a diesel power unit in the winter.

Adding additives into diesel fuel has long been commonplace for modern motorists.

There are certain variations of additives that have different purposes:

• Complex additives that increase the cetane number, clean the injection system, prevent fuel foaming and act as anti-corrosion additives.
• The so-called "antigels" prevent freezing of fuel in winter at temperatures as low as -47 degrees.
• Additives cleaners for engine injectors and plunger pairs in the high pressure fuel pump.
• Additives that prevent moisture from crystallizing in the fuel system.
• Additives for smoke reduction.

How to prepare a diesel car for frost?

The rules for preparing a diesel engine for operating conditions at low temperatures are aimed primarily at increasing compression. Before the onset of cold weather, do the following:

• Check compression and, if it is low, find and eliminate the cause;
• Fill the engine with oil designed for winter operation;
• Replace filters;
• Clean nozzles;
• Make sure that the high pressure fuel pump is working properly;
• Check glow plugs.

In most cases, even if these measures are followed, problems with starting a diesel engine on a cold one will not arise.