Cold Start

[deez_nutts]

Sorry to bring this up again but i havent quite seen a solution to the problem.

Here goes - if external temp is lower than 10c, the glow plug kicks in and the car starts fine. If it is between 10c - 15c the glow plug doesnt kick in and it takes a couple of turns to start the engine then it is fine for the rest of the day. Above 15c no need for glow plugs starts fine first time.

I know many of you has had this problem - how you found a fixed?

[Gsi3.2]

it's designed to work like that, the glowplugs aren't on at every restart..

[AndrewTi]

It's got to be near on -6 before my glowplugs even think about coming into play. Any other time, turn the key, mostly it rumbles straight into life, on some rare occasions it turns over for up to 5 secs then bursts into life with a big puff of smoke, as if it was fast asleep and didn't want to wake up.

Almost forgot I had glowplugs!!

[BlueRob]

My dictionary is out of date, what is a glowplug?

[Jamie]

My dictionary is out of date, what is a glowplug?

Its the diesel equivalent of a spark plug, but not!!! Diesel combustion works with heat and compression, so if there is not enough heat the glowplug warms up the cylinder to get the combustion going.

[deez_nutts]

there must be a way to get to glow plug to kick in at every start - i know BMW and Honda works like that.

[BlueRob]

Many thanks Jamie......I`m knowless on diesel engines, is not common to see them here in Mexico. I knew they dont use spark plugs but the heating of the cylinder that`s completely new for me......ha! feels good to start the day learning something new
Cheers

[Jamie]

Many thanks Jamie......I`m knowless on diesel engines, is not common to see them here in Mexico. I knew they dont use spark plugs but the heating of the cylinder that`s completely new for me......ha! feels good to start the day learning something new
Cheers

Probably wouldn't need any help warming up the cylinders in Mexico mate.... the climate is a little less reliable here!!!

[robzc]

Just a quick point - the glow plug activation relies on engine temp, not outside temp. Obviously the 2 are related if the cars been off for a while, but once the engine has warmed up, if you switch off and restart it won't activate the plugs because the engines already warm - anyway, my car works like this.

Why would you want the glow plugs to come on with every start???? It's pointless if the engine isn't cold.

[deez_nutts]

...actually it will not be pointless.

The glow plug warm up the cylinder up to a certain temperature then cut out. If the engine is already warm then it will cut out straight away.

The way Vx has implemented this on the Vectra is the car checks the air temp then decides wether or not to light up the glow plug (...and this is something it doesnt do very well).

The problem arise when it has been a cold night and in the morning the sun comes out and warms your bonnet. This in turns warms up the air in and around the engine. When you start the car and it checks the air temp it sees that the air is warm hence no need to use the glow plug. But the truth is the temp in the engine block is still freezing hence why the car struggles with the morning starts.