Why does a diesel engine not start in cold weather? Winter start of a diesel engine: how to start a diesel engine in cold weather

20.04.2019

Starting the engine correctly in cold weather is a problem that car owners face with the advent of winter frosts, especially if the temperature is significantly below -15 degrees, and the car has been standing outside all night. In such a situation, you need to be guided by several rules that can help you quickly start the engine and not ask for outside help or sit on public transport.

There are several main reasons that affect the engine start in cold weather:

Malfunctions in the lubrication system.
The ignition system is not working properly.
Faults in the fuel system.
Weak charging battery.

Another reason is poor quality fuel located in the tank of the vehicle. Most often, this is more relevant for diesel cars. It is not worth talking about the varieties of summer and winter diesel fuel here. Drivers of cars with a diesel engine are well aware that in winter they need to fill winter diesel fuel. Only the quality of this fuel is not the best, as a result, problems appear, paraffin is formed, which clogs fuel filter.

The difficult supply of fuel to the engine creates malfunctions that prevent the engine from starting in winter. To remove paraffin and ensure the engine starts in winter, it is recommended:

Apply special modern facilities to start motors.
If in fuel tank flooded summer fuel, and in the morning it froze, then the car needs to be hooked on tow rope and drag to warm garage.
There is another method: take winter diesel fuel, pour it into a canister and heat it up to 40 degrees. Then pour it into the tank of the machine. It should be remembered that the fuel filter also requires heating.

Malfunctions in the electrical network

Frosty winter days make adjustments to the start of car engines, and affect the operation of the electrical network. The main element of the car's electrical network, which is subjected to a large load, is the battery. Due to lower temperatures, the rate of chemical reactions decreases in it. The battery starts to lose power quickly. In big frosts good deed will be removing the battery from the car and warming it at home.

Before starting the engine, many drivers use the old-fashioned method: a frozen battery requires a small push - you need to turn on the high beam for a few seconds, which will allow the battery to quickly return to normal. If this method does not help, then the battery must be removed and charged.

In cars with a gasoline engine, difficult starting can be caused by bad spark plugs, which already have a lot of soot, or an insulator is broken. With such defects, they are not able to provide the quality spark needed to start power unit.

The presence of air in the power system

If air has entered the power system, the motor will function with great interruptions. Cold engine is the most vulnerable, and it will sneeze and stall on startup. The cause of this malfunction must be sought in the fuel lines and hoses, which may have cracks that violate the tightness of the system and allow air to pass through. This problem is completely fixable. To do this, you need to visual inspection the entire system. You should start with the fuel tank, and go through the entire system, inspecting and disconnecting the hoses. You can pour gasoline into a bottle or canister, only in this way you can identify the place of air penetration.

Start system malfunctions

Almost all cars have special functions that help to start the engine in cold weather:

Fuel filter warm-up mode.
Mode of increasing the percentage of fuel content in combustible mixture(enrichment).
Ignition advance mode.

Modern vehicles are equipped with sensors and electronic blocks facilitating the launch of these modes. The driver only needs to control the operation of these devices.

Oil thickening

dense engine oil also makes it difficult to start the engine in winter. Most often, viscosity increases in cold weather due to driver negligence:

For the winter, semi-synthetic or mineral oil is poured into the engine.
An advance replacement of oil that has worked out its time has not been made.

To prevent these problems, you need to change the oil in advance, preventing the onset of severe frosts, know the climate of your area and choose the right required view engine oil.

In areas with frosts in winter down to -10 degrees, mineral oil is also suitable.
In regions where frosts reach -25 degrees, you need to fill in semi-synthetics or synthetics, depending on the wear of the engine.
For more severe frosts, only high-quality synthetics should be poured.

How to start an engine in cold weather

Drivers with long term driving have rich knowledge, making it possible to start the engine even in severe frost. Car owners who have a garage with electricity are the real lucky ones. The garage makes it possible to heat up the pallet in a timely manner, heat the interior of the car with a heater, you can use a device to start the engine.

Vehicle owners who are accustomed to leaving their cars outside at night should be able to apply different methods of starting the engine in the cold winter.

The battery, which warmed up at home at night, is guaranteed to start your car engine.
It is not recommended to turn the starter for more than 15 seconds, then you need to rest the battery for at least 1 minute.
When "lighting" from another car, you need to follow some rules. First you need to connect the positive wire with the corresponding terminals of the batteries of both cars with a special "crocodile". The other wire must be connected to the negative pole of the car's battery, from which you will have to "light up". Connect the other end of the wire to the ground of your car. The car from which energy is taken must work.
When towing, it is also necessary to follow certain recommendations. The towing vehicle must accelerate to a speed corresponding to the third or second gear of the manual transmission. Then turn on the ignition, and gradually release the clutch. When the engine starts, you need to squeeze the clutch and signal to the assistant that everything is fine by turning on the headlights several times.

It should be remembered that when starting the engine in severe frosts, you expose the engine to excessive load, there is a strong wear of all mechanisms and components. If you can use public transport or walk, then this is the best way to go.

Starting a gasoline engine on a car with a manual gearbox

If your car gasoline engine, then before trying to start the car, you need to do some simple procedures:

Warm up the battery by turning on high beam or blinking headlights for a few seconds.
Next, you need to turn the ignition key, wait a few seconds until the fuel pump pumps fuel into the system.
Press the clutch, setting the gearbox control lever to the neutral position, and try to start the engine. If the car is injection, then you can not press the gas, if the car is carbureted, then you need to pull out the choke.

If the engine is serviceable, then after carrying out these procedures, it will start in a few seconds. Sometimes, if it is not possible to start the engine immediately, these procedures must be repeated, it is worth waiting a few minutes between attempts.

The engine started - good, so you need to gradually release the clutch. With a rapid loss of engine speed, you need to press the pedal again and hold for about half a minute. During this period, the oil in the box will heat up, and you can try to start the engine again.

Experts advise warming up the engine before driving. Warm-up time for injection motors equal to 4 minutes, and for carburetor - 10 minutes. During this time, you can prepare the car for movement, clean all windows and mirrors from frost and snow that have accumulated at night. After warming up the engine, you can start driving, trying not to drive too much until the temperature of the antifreeze reaches 60 degrees.

How to start a diesel engine in cold weather

As with other engines, a charged diesel engine is required to start a diesel power unit. good battery. But diesel engine has its own design features, and runs on more "heavy" fuel. That's why important points are a serviceable fuel filter, and the quality of diesel fuel.

The best way would be to use winter fuel, while it is better to add special additives to it that prevent diesel fuel from thickening. To prevent freezing of diesel fuel, experienced drivers install special heating systems on the car. But you need to know that if the diesel fuel has thickened and froze, then in no case should it be heated with an open flame. In other cases, the procedure for starting diesel engine the same as for gasoline.

Starting the engine on a car with automatic transmission

If your car is not equipped with mechanics, but with an automatic machine, then if this box is not properly cared for, it may not be possible to start the engine in severe frost. Therefore, professionals recommend performing an early oil change in a car with automatic transmission, and also not buying the cheapest oil.

Despite the fact that in modern machines oil can be changed every 15 thousand km., experts advise changing it in the fall, which guarantees the use of fresh oil in winter, when the most difficult period for the engine. If you do not follow these recommendations, then in severe frosts, the old oil can turn into a thick substance, which will not allow you to quickly supply lubricant to the turbine shaft and crankshaft, which will resist when starting the engine.

If, after carrying out all the recommended procedures, the engine still does not start, and the battery is discharged so much that it cannot turn crankshaft, then you can try to start the engine by "lighting up", but it is advisable to use it on machines with carbureted engines. To do this, disconnect the terminals of the discharged battery and special starting wires connect to a working battery of another machine, observing the polarity of the terminals. Otherwise, there is a chance to burn the starter, or spoil electronic system machine, resulting in costly repairs.

Another way is towing. It can be used if other methods have not helped and the driver must definitely start the engine. Drivers with extensive driving experience should perform this procedure.

To do this, you need a cable of more than 4 meters. After fixing it, you need to get behind the wheel, turn on the ignition and press the clutch, turn on the box neutral speed, signal to move. To start, it is usually enough to drive about 70 meters along the road. After starting, the gearbox is put in a neutral position and stopped. This method is only suitable for machines with mechanical box, and for cars with automatic transmission, this method is prohibited.

If the car is standing on the street at night, then you should not put it on hand brake, because brake pads may freeze to discs or drums. It is advisable to turn on the speed, and the thickened oil will prevent the car from rolling.
In order not to have difficulty with door locks, experts advise to process them in advance special means. Door seals are also recommended to be lubricated silicone grease so they don't stick to the door.
In winter, instead frame wipers it is better to use frameless wiper models. They will provide effective cleaning, and will not freeze to glass.
If the garage is warm and the car is fuel injected, then it is better to fill the tank as full as possible so that there is less air in it, which means less condensation forms. Otherwise, water vapor freezes and settles at the bottom of the tank, which leads to the failure of the fuel pump and power system.

From time to time, specialists receive phone calls asking for information. Often the conversation begins with one question: "Why won't the diesel engine start?" Obviously there is a problem, but with the information drivers provide, it can sometimes be quite difficult to guess the cause of the complaint.

All that is needed is to get the right amount of heat in the combustion chamber and the right amount of combustible fuel in the old diesel engine fed into the combustion chamber at the right time. It's no different today than electronic diesels. By keeping these basics in mind, it would seem that startup problems can be resolved. Moreover, a diesel engine can not start not only when cold or in frost, in fact, there can be many options. In principle, as well as reasons.

Looking at the diagnosis, let's discuss the two most basic needs of diesel engine operation: proper heat in the combustion chambers and the right amount of fuel injected at the right time.

When asked what creates heat in a combustion chamber, most technicians will answer "correct compression" or " normal work glow plugs". These are great answers, but when you come across this question, you should always start with correct speed cranking crankshaft. It is possible to proceed to the compression and proper functioning of the glow plugs, but without optimum speed cranking engine compression ratio is a controversial issue.

Most diesel engines need minimum speed cranking 150 rpm. If the system is not able to crank the engine fast enough, then some tests need to be done to find out why. Mechanics may need to start by checking the battery, which will include testing the battery, some voltage drop in the negative and positive aspects starter circuits. If all of these tests pass, then check the condition of the wiring inside the starter or engine. Until the engine cranks fast enough, any other test is a waste of precious time.

Proper compression is also a much needed part of analyzing a diesel starting problem. There is a time and place for a mechanical compression test, but this test is at the bottom of the diagnostic test list. On a late model diesel engine, access to the compression ratio point may be limited, so there are easier ways.

Video - The engine stalls in winter. Frozen fuel

Stop and think about engine compression. In the combustion chamber, there are only four places to reduce compression: through leaks in the combustion chamber (cracked heads or leaking head gaskets), through inlet valve, through exhaust valve leaks, or through leaks in the piston or piston rings. Experts advise that you can find a compression "leak" by checking the pressure pulses during intake manifold, exhaust pipe, engine housing or engine cooling system.

This process will require the use of a diagnostic sensor (such as FirstLook), but in most cases it will be faster and more reliable than removing certain engine parts and components in an attempt to gain access to the correct location to obtain actual compression readings.

If the engine turns slowly, then this is not a problem, maybe something is wrong with the glow plugs. Majority cars and light trucks with diesel engines have glow plugs to assist with cold starts. The glow plugs are powered by a relay and a timer that directs voltage to the plugs for a given number of seconds. When the timer expires, the relay is supposed to turn off the voltage. But someday the relay can jam and continue to energize the glow plugs, causing them to burn. One or two bad glow plugs on a V8 engine may not cause noticeable starting problems in warm weather, but it can happen when temperatures drop.

Check the operation of the glow plugs

Glow plugs can be tested by measuring their resistance or continuity. Excessive resistance or lack of continuity indicates that the spark plug needs to be replaced.

If one or more glow plugs are burned out, heavily carbonized, or not getting their normal dose of starting voltage, it will become increasingly difficult to start the engine as the temperature drops. If all the glow plugs light up at the end, you'd better check the injection timing, because that's probably the reason.

To see if the glow plug module is providing power to the glow plugs, use a voltmeter to test each connector for the specified voltage when the ignition key is turned on. No tension? Check glow plug control module connections, ground, and wiring harness. Glow plugs themselves can be tested by measuring their resistance. which you consider unsuitable.

Difficult starting can sometimes be caused by a glow plug module that does not turn on the glow plugs or does not keep the glow plug running long enough when the weather is cold.

Fuel problems

Unlike gasoline, diesel fuel low temperature has a negative effect. The fuel consists of heavier hydrocarbons that turn into wax when the temperature drops. The "cloud point" or point at which wax begins to form for a typical summer grade diesel fuel can range from 10 to 40 degrees. If the fuel tank contains summer grade fuel and the temperature environment drops, paraffin crystals may form in the water/fuel separator, causing blockage.

Diesel fuel can freeze at low temperatures

The cure here is to take the car out to a warm garage where it can thaw. Replace the fuel separator as needed and then add a "fuel conditioner" additive to the tank (some manufacturers do not approve of any additives or prohibit the use of specific ingredients such as alcohol found in some additives), or completely drain the fuel from the tank and fill it with Euro 1 fuel, which is better quality (and more expensive). In order to prevent the same situation from happening again in the future, you can install a special fuel heater.

Water in fuel is another issue that can lead to performance issues. Condensation that forms during cold weather is a major source of pollution. Water that enters the fuel tank usually settles to the bottom because water and oil do not mix. Water is sucked into the fuel line and passes into the filter or fuel separator. Here it (the filter) can freeze, causing blockage, which stops the flow of fuel to the engine. So if the filter or separator is frozen, the fuel tank must be emptied completely to get rid of the water.

Fuel contamination

Another difference with diesel fuel is that it good taste for certain microbes, especially if there is water in the tank. Some bacteria can actually thrive inside a fuel tank. diesel car, forming slime, acids and other creepy things that can stick together fuel lines, filters, fuel pumps and injectors. Contaminated fuel often has a "rotten egg" odor and leaves a black or green mark on the inside fuel system components. The growth rate of most organisms increases at higher temperatures, but some can thrive down to freezing temperatures.

In order to get rid of contamination, the fuel tank must be drained and cleaned completely. Biocides used for this purpose must also be used to kill the organisms and prevent their re-emergence. The cleaning process should be accompanied by a fresh tank treated with a prophylactic dose of biocide. If the fuel lines and fuel pump high pressure were also contaminated, they also need to be cleaned.

Fuel supply problems

In order to start and work properly, the injector must work accurately. A quick visual inspection will tell you if the timestamps are lined up correctly. Refer to the manufacturer's synchronization procedure vehicle if you suspect the timing is off or the pump has been replaced recently. For new diesel engines with electronic injection or direct injection pumps, you need a scan tool to make any changes.

Air in the fuel can also cause a diesel engine to start difficult. Air can cause the engine to stall, and subsequent attempts to start will fail. Air can enter the system through any break in the fuel line.

To determine if the problem is air, install a clean return hose on the back of the high pressure fuel pump. Start the engine and watch. Air bubbles in the fuel will tell you that there is air in the intake side of the pump. The high pressure fuel pump itself is usually not the source of the air leak, so check the fuel lines.

Poor fuel quality or problems with its entry into the system

A worn or clogged pump can also be the answer to the question of why a diesel engine won't start. If the working conditions are getting worse and this is accompanied by a loss of power, and the mileage is more than 100,000 kilometers, then attention should be paid to the pump, which must be replaced.

Before judging the pump, one should also check the fuel filters. Dirty filters can cause fuel delivery restrictions that prevent the pump from doing its full job. The separator usually needs to be changed about every 50,000 kilometers, and the secondary fuel filter about every 30,000 km. New single filter fuel systems typically require service about once a year. If the filter has not been given due attention, most likely it may be clogged.

Diesel won't start

A diesel engine that cranks normally but does not start regardless of outside temperature either has low compression or has a fuel delivery problem. If compression is ok, check fuel gauges. Then check the fuel filters and fuel lines for blockages.

If the fuel pump is not pushing fuel through the lines to the injectors, this may indicate a bad solenoid. Listen for "clicks" inside the pump when the ignition key is turned on. No clicks means the pump and/or solenoid needs to be replaced. If it clicks but there is no fuel flowing through the injector pipes (and the filter and lines are not blocked), the pump is probably bad and needs to be replaced.

Problems with the injector

Diesel injectors can suffer from the same types of ailments as gasoline injectors, including varnish deposits, clogging, wear or leakage. Today, diesel vehicles are refueled with low sulfur fuel, which can lead to injector deposits and reduced fuel consumption. necessary lubrication. So you could try using a special additive to make the parts move more smoothly.

Check the condition of the injectors and, if necessary, clean them

Diesel injectors operate at higher pressures than petrol injectors. Over time, their pressure may drop. A pressure level of up to 4.5-5 bar is still considered acceptable, but anything above this value means that the nozzles must be replaced. You will need some type of pressure gauge to check the opening pressure of the injectors if you suspect that this kind of problem may be causing the malfunction. Dirty injectors will suck in the fuel mixture, resulting in loss of power, rough idling, and sometimes white smoke in the engine. exhaust gases.

There are several ways to find a bad injector on a diesel engine. One is to use a digital pyrometer to check operating temperature each cylinder. A temperature value that is lower than the rest indicates a weak cylinder. If compression is good, the problem is limited to fuel delivery. Another fast way- use an ohmmeter that reads tenths of ohms to measure the resistance of the glow plugs while the engine is running. Plug resistance goes up with temperature, so if one or two cylinders read "low", you've found the problem. For example, if a glow plug normally puts out 1.8 to 3.4 ohms on a hot, running engine, then readings of 1.2 to 1.3 ohms on the glow plugs will tell you that the cylinder is not producing any heat.

How is fuel pressure checked?

Elimination of black smoke

Black smoke is usually a signal that there is too much fuel, not enough air, or the gas distribution injector is off. One of the most common causes of this condition is inlet air restriction. The reason may be dirty air filter, coiled intake hose or even exhaust restriction.

Elimination of white smoke

White smoke usually occurs when there is no enough heat to burn the fuel. Particles of unburned fuel come out exhaust pipe, and tend to produce a rich fuel odor. It's not uncommon to see white smoke in the exhaust in cold weather until the engine is warm.

As previously mentioned, bad glow plugs or a faulty glow plug control module can cause White smoke when starting the engine. Low engine speed can also produce white smoke.

Pay attention to the color of the smoke coming from the exhaust system

If white smoke is still visible after the engine has warmed up, it may indicate several bad injectors, late injection timing, or a worn high pressure fuel pump. A low compression ratio can also be a source of . Be aware of air in the fuel system as it can also cause white smoke.

Troubleshooting

If the diesel stalls at low speeds, this may indicate a lubrication problem in the injector pump. The first thing to check is the RPM. idle move. At low levels RPM this can prevent the pump from recovering fast enough during deceleration to prevent the engine from stalling.

Water in fuel can also cause shutdown by jamming the metering valve or plungers inside the pump. Using a lubricant supplement can help treat this condition. If the additive does not help, the pump may need to be cleaned or replaced.

Video - Why a diesel engine may not start in cold weather

required to start much more heat, therefore, more energy is required to achieve fuel detonation.

At the same time, when the temperature drops, paraffin crystals form in diesel fuel, making it jelly-like with flakes, as a result of which it can no longer pass through the fuel filter normally.

For these reasons, the use of diesel cars at low temperatures is difficult, but if you still really need a car, then there are several ways to facilitate the winter start of diesel engines.

First of all, it is better to put on a diesel car battery with high starting currentm and good energy efficiency. This will help a lot when starting. In parallel, it is worth checking the high-voltage wires and glow plugs.
Quality winter diesel fuel is also an important component. In Russia, it leaves much to be desired, many gas stations sell low-quality fuel, and often in winter there is summer or transitional fuel that freezes already at -5°C. It is best to find one gas station c good fuel and always refuel on it. Moreover, the price is not always high. famous brand mean a quality product.
It is also useful to add when refueling anti-gel additive for diesel fuel. In this case, even not the highest quality fuel is likely to be suitable for cold starting. It also improves lubricity quality fuel Euro 3, Euro 4 standards, which, due to the low sulfur content, loses its lubricity.
Finally, don't forget to switch to winter engine oil.

Diesel engine start similar to starting a gasoline one, but there are also fundamental differences:

Depress the clutch (so that the battery does not turn the gearbox along with the engine).
Extend the choke (in diesel vehicles, it is used only at start-up and does not affect the operating speed of the engine).
Turn the key to turn on electrical appliances, wait until the glow plug lamp goes out.
If the car was standing in the cold, then before starting it is better to turn on the headlights and wait five minutes, it won’t take a lot of energy, this battery will warm up a little, which will provide a better starting current at the start. If it's cold outside, then you can take the battery home for the night in heat.
Turn on the ignition and turn the starter until the engine starts. On diesel cars, unlike gasoline cars, it does not make sense to use several short starting attempts. When the car starts to seize, you can add a little gas.
When the engine starts, do not immediately release the clutch and remove the gas, let it run a little at normal operating speeds, then slowly remove the gas and smoothly release the clutch, then remove the choke.

If you still cannot start the car, you can use cold start aids engine, they are sprayed into the air intake before starting, although you should not hope for an impressive effect from them. It should be borne in mind that the frequent use of such products can adversely affect the life of the engine.

The tricks listed above can help in temperatures down to -20°C, if it is -25°C outside, then it is better to refrain from traveling. If the car is often needed at temperatures of -20 ° C and below, then it is advisable to use preheaters .

There are two main options: fuel preheaters and engine preheaters.

Fuel preheaters cheaper and together with the installation cost about 10 thousand rubles. They will help to cope with the problem of freezing diesel fuel in the cold, but others positive effects won't give.
Engine preheaters noticeably more expensive, on average 30-35 thousand rubles, but they have much great opportunities and efficiency. They allow not only to warm up the engine and engine compartment, but also provide comfortable temperature inside the car. With such a device is not scary and hard frost.

An article on how to operate a diesel engine in the winter season - tips, useful advice. At the end of the article - a video about diesel engines.

The content of the article:

The winter season is just around the corner, and it's no secret that diesel engines are more sensitive to low temperatures than their "brothers" engines. Have you ever wondered why everyone more people do you prefer diesel? What problems do new owners face? Are there ways to solve these problems, and if so, which ones? Let's take a closer look at these important questions.

Diesel engines continue to gain popularity among car drivers. Initially working as part of heavy road, construction, military, agricultural equipment, diesel engines on modern machines show themselves to be the most profitable engines from a financial and operational point of view.

What special merit do consumers prefer to buy diesel cars?

Profitability. Diesel efficiency is 15-20 points higher than the coefficient useful action gasoline engine. For the former, this is 45-50% of the energy obtained from fuel conversion, for the latter, from 20 to 30%. This indicates an economical resource consumption.
Reliability. The diesel engine operates according to the cycle "fuel injection - compression - expansion - exhaust gases", I start from the high-pressure fuel pump or the sensor signal received by the computer in systems common rail. At gasoline engines the start is carried out by the ignition system, which, when high voltage is abruptly supplied, creates interference that affects the electronics.
Due to the difference in the way fuel is ignited, diesel engine parts experience heavy load and initially have an increased strength of the material of the internal components.
Increased resistance of engine parts significantly increases its overall service life and service life.

Comparing these facts, we can conclude that a diesel engine is durable and more reliable to the load on the mechanical and electronic components of the system than a gasoline internal combustion engine.
fuel. At modern level almost equal prices for gasoline and diesel fuel, we do not forget that thanks to high efficiency, the consumption of diesel vehicles is less by 15-20%. Therefore, from a financial point of view, diesels are more profitable.
Maintenance and repair. Diesel reliability is less likely to result in serious breakdowns which require serious financial investments to eliminate them.
Car price. At the same cost of diesel and petrol car after five years of operation in equivalent modes, the loss in price for the first ones will not exceed 5-7%. On the second - will fall by 35-40%.
Environmental friendliness and safety. The design of a diesel car engine and the principle of fuel ignition significantly reduce the concentration of harmful substances, mutagens and carcinogens in exhaust gases. And the motor itself is not very susceptible to heating to critical temperatures.
Vehicles using diesel fuel may without making structural changes to the internal combustion engine to operate on alternative fuels.

The diesel engine starts with a strong compression of the injected fuel. The compression force itself remains unchanged and depends on the closest location of the piston and the upper wall of the combustion chamber. However, there is such a thing as compression.

Compression is an indicator of how much the distance between these parts has increased from normal during operation, otherwise it is the pressure level in the cylinders that provide optimal pressure for compressive strength. Otherwise, wear of the indicated engine parts.

How better condition cylinders and piston rings, the higher the compression. With a higher pressure, the fuel ignites faster and the engine starts. If it is insufficient, there is not enough temperature in the chambers to start, and the engine will not start.

Under normal conditions, the fuel ignites in temperature range from 230°C to 345°C. When cold, diesel fuel becomes cloudy, thickens, becomes viscous and freezes.

Summer diesel fuel starts the conversion process at -5°С, winter diesel fuel at -25°С. With low compression, the piston does not have enough power to “push” the diesel fuel through the fuel filters and reach the temperature necessary for ignition in the combustion chamber. Like any pressure, compression can be measured in atmospheres.

In a brand new car, the compression in the cylinders is approximately 36-40 atmospheres: the car will easily start at -30-35 ° C. Conditionally general compression values for starting the engine in the cold season:

30-36 atmospheres: the engine can be started when the temperature drops to -30°C;
28-30 atmospheres: range allowed values air temperature from -15 to -30°C, or multi-day parking on the street at a temperature not lower than -15°C;
25-28 atmospheres: a car is able to withstand a long time in an open-air parking lot and start up if the temperature has not dropped below -10 ° C during this period;
20-25 atmospheres: the car needs a heated garage or a warm parking lot to start the engine;
Up to 20 atmospheres: the car will not start even at a positive temperature.

Those who have taken a brand new car have nothing to worry about for a couple of years. But those who were lucky enough to own a vehicle of not the first freshness should seriously think about preparing for the autumn-winter cold and a long spring.

The main set of measures to prepare the car for winter season almost the same for all owners. It includes:

Compression check and troubleshooting.
Change of oil. Oil provides desired level sliding bearings and rolling turbocharger, increasing their service life. By performing such simple manipulations, it is possible to timely identify such "diseases" as loss of tightness oil system or malfunction of the pump in it. winter oil has a lower viscosity coefficient, providing the engine with a better chance of starting. For turbocharged engines, oils have an improved composition.
Replacement of filters. Diesel engines often need to change consumables, as the load on them is higher. Therefore, it will be useful to replace the filters.
Nozzle cleaning. Even when refueling at proven gas stations, one cannot be sure that the quality of diesel fuel corresponds to that declared by the manufacturer. Poor-quality diesel fuel can lead to clogging of the fuel system, which will affect the loss of turbine power and increase its chances of failure.
Injectors are prone to high heat, so part of the fuel is baked, forming soot. This caked layer reduces the cross section of the passage channel, reducing the efficiency of the nozzle and the amount of diesel fuel supplied to the combustion chamber for starting by 20%.
Correction of the work of the injection pump.
Battery charging.
Checking the glow plugs if a preheater is installed. Candles warm up the combustion chamber of the fuel mixture in the cold season, ensuring the engine starts. In summer, attention is not focused on the malfunction - the system is not used. In winter, the problem is relevant, because it can be difficult to start.
Engine warming. An optional but popular procedure is to cover the engine with a blanket.
Pre-ignition installation. A wide variety of heaters (liquid, electric, autonomous) allows you to choose the right option for each specific case.

The sudden onset of winter for the owner of a car unprepared for the season can deprive the comfort and other joys of traveling by private vehicle. The main problems that the owner of a diesel engine may encounter, and methods for solving them in "folk" ways:

Was in the tank summer diesel fuel, and she managed to become viscous. Usually depressants are poured into the tank, but if they are not available - suitable gasoline or kerosene (no more than 15% of the tank volume). It should be understood that topping up is done in a warm car. Therefore, it is better to take care of glow plugs in advance.
The "grandfather" method with a blowtorch will also surprise unexpected result: The tank of many modern vehicles is made of plastic. You can try to change the fuel filter - perhaps it was tightly clogged with diesel fuel and paraffinized, as a result of which it lost throughput and no fuel enters the combustion chamber.
It was cold outside and the engine was cold. In case of short-term frosts, it is worth insulating the engine with a blanket or foamed corrugated polyethylene - this will help it warm up quickly, but will not save it in severe frost.
Faulty glow plugs and not enough compression. You can try turning the ignition on and off several times to warm up the glow plugs. Or help old method- an ethereal spray injected into the air filter. Using it and a gas burner, you can try to heat the air in the cylinders.
Sat battery. You need to pre-charge the battery and ask to "light it up". It is important to remember that the donor must turn off the engine, otherwise a powerful diesel engine can burn or seriously damage the electronics of a car that lights up. Wires must be with a cross section of at least 1-1.5 square. It is better to turn on the preheaters.
In all other cases, only the evacuation of the vehicle to a warm box will help.

Conclusion

It is rather problematic to understand why a diesel engine does not start in the cold: many reasons and ways to eliminate them resemble time-consuming “shamanic dances with a tambourine”, and every second counts. Therefore, it is better to protect yourself from possible problems and prepare in advance for the winter season.

In winter, owners of diesel-powered vehicles face typical problems: freezing engine oil and fuel in the lines and tank, the internal combustion engine does not start or is unstable, troit, stalls. How to make starting a diesel engine easier in winter simple means- read below.

1- insulate the engine

An auto blanket is a useful accessory for an engine that can facilitate the cold start of an internal combustion engine and thereby protect diesel parts from wear. Vibration from the motor, which reaches operating temperatures, is transmitted to the body less. A bonus is fuel economy, which burns out during the warm-up of the internal combustion engine.

Such engine insulation will come in handy for those cars that are stored at night not in the garage. And also if temperature fluctuations reach -10°C and below.

Factory auto blanket can be found for sale. Or do it yourself The main thing is to choose the right materials. They must be wear-resistant and non-combustible: fiberglass for sheathing, mineral wool for filler, fire-resistant threads for stitching. Then it's a matter of technique: the material is cut and sewn on three sides, fill is added, the fourth side is sewn.

The blanket should exactly repeat the parameters engine compartment, the edges can be tucked. It is necessary to lay the insulation in the engine compartment in such a way as to reliably cover all the cracks and at the same time exclude contact with attachments and drive belts.

If everything is done right, when starting “cold”, the motor will heat up faster, and it will take longer to cool down up to 2-3 times. After a short stop, the oil will not thicken, it will be easier to start the internal combustion engine.

2- install preheater

The pre-heater helps warm up the engine or autonomously heat the passenger compartment even before engine start.

Starting heaters can operate on fuel (gasoline, diesel) and on electricity ( standalone type Webasto or battery).

Liquid (gasoline, diesel) heaters equipped with their own combustion chamber, fuel pump, water pump. Some also have a remote start system and a heater fan control unit.

The principle of operation is as follows: the fuel burns in the heater chamber, a heat exchanger passes through it, through which the antifreeze supplied by the pump circulates. When heated, the coolant transfers heat to the engine.

When choosing a heater with electrical system power supply, it is important to consider the availability of connecting it to the network.

Autonomous heaters such as Webasto are liquid and air.

Air are placed in the cabin and maintain a comfortable temperature even before starting the internal combustion engine. They run on fuel from a tank or their own chamber. The fuel is mixed with air and ignited by a glow plug, burning inside a closed chamber with an external fan blowing. As a result hot air enters the salon.

Liquid installed in engine compartment and work from the combustion of fuel in the tank. They are connected to the cooling system circuit, pumping antifreeze through heated ceramic pins.

Then the heated coolant is supplied to the engine in a small circle through the heater core. After the coolant is heated to 40 degrees, the fan automatically turns on saloon stove. As a result, a warm engine and a warm comfortable lounge before the trip.

When choosing any preheater, the main thing is to connect it correctly. Otherwise, the cooling system may be damaged.

To connect the heater, you need to disconnect the battery, drain the liquid from the cooling system, disconnect the pipes, place a heater between the stove and the cylinder block, connect the pipes and fittings so that the liquid first enters the device, and then flows into the stove, pour antifreeze back.

If you constantly use preheaters at low temperatures, you can extend the resource diesel internal combustion engine and start it without problems even in severe frost. But the cost of such devices is high. In the case of Webasto, you need to monitor the battery charge level - it consumes a lot of electricity.

If the car spends the night in an insulated garage, and outside it does not fall below 5-10 degrees, an auto blanket will be enough to facilitate starting a diesel engine.

3- replace the glow plugs

Glow plugs - consumable item, they should be changed every 100 thousand km. And if the diesel works in difficult conditions: cold climate, long downtime in the wound state, night frosts, you need to change the glow plugs every 20-30 thousand km.

The glow plugs heat the combustion cylinders from the inside so that the fuel mixture can be efficiently ignited once the internal combustion engine has warmed up. With one idle candle starting the engine is very difficult, but theoretically possible. If 2 or more spark plugs fail, the diesel engine will not start “cold”.

It is important to change the candles as a set, even if visually some look working. Glow plugs are selected in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and depending on the type of diesel engine.

You can replace the glow plugs yourself: you will need a wrench, a ratchet wrench and a screwdriver, as well as a small amount of graphite and high temperature grease. In the process, the main thing is not to damage the glow plugs themselves, they are fragile. In the worst case, you will have to drill the remains of the candle stem from the candle well.

Usually the glow plugs are located on the top of the cylinder head next to the diesel injectors.

Replacement is carried out as follows: you need to remove the protection (plastic cover or engine cover), disconnect the negative terminal of the battery, unscrew the nuts fixing the wire lugs on contact rods glow plugs, move the wire to the side, unscrew the old candles with a ratchet.
Then strip the contacts on each high voltage wire candles, clean from soot candle wells, apply a little grease to the reamer of new candles and screw in new candles, tightening to the required resistance.

If the diesel does not start after a long cold stop, you can check the operation of the glow plugs by connecting them directly to the battery, conducting a spark test (only for older diesel engines that are not equipped with sophisticated electronics) or checking the resistance with a multimeter.

To check the health of the glow plugs with a multimeter, you need to disconnect the power wire from central electrode and check the resistance of the latter by attaching the probe of the device to it.

Before the onset of cold weather, the glow plugs should be checked even if the diesel engine starts without problems.

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