Diesel cold vs warm start - any adjustments ?

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   Me again ! So the van starts from cold pretty good.

Wait till coil heater light goes out (15 seconds) then about 4-5 cranks and starts.

Once it's warmed to running temp, seems to take more like 12-20 rotations to fire up.
I don't think it'll do the battery much good keeping that up, tend to do 20+ mile drives though.

The heater coil light doesn't, once it's above 1/4 on the temperature gauge (say a mile or so)
Alongside this I'm pushing accelerator pedal down before it gets running. seems to help a lil.

There's what looks like a manual choke knob on the right of the dash.

Without a user guide I'm a bit worried to pull/rotate it in case whatever it is just snaps off haha !
Basically - do I need to lay off the gas when warm starting ? Or pull / rotate the choke ?

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driveby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Not Quite Newbie Joined: 05 Jul 14 Location: Bristol Status: Offline Points: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote driveby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Diesel cold vs warm start - any adjustments ? Posted: 10 Nov 14 at 23:37
	Me again ! So the van starts from cold pretty good. Wait till coil heater light goes out (15 seconds) then about 4-5 cranks and starts. Once it's warmed to running temp, seems to take more like 12-20 rotations to fire up. I don't think it'll do the battery much good keeping that up, tend to do 20+ mile drives though. The heater coil light doesn't, once it's above 1/4 on the temperature gauge (say a mile or so) Alongside this I'm pushing accelerator pedal down before it gets running. seems to help a lil. There's what looks like a manual choke knob on the right of the dash. Without a user guide I'm a bit worried to pull/rotate it in case whatever it is just snaps off haha ! Basically - do I need to lay off the gas when warm starting ? Or pull / rotate the choke ?

mat_the_cat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 06 May 09 Location: North Wales Status: Offline Points: 1862	Post Options Post Reply Quote mat_the_cat Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Nov 14 at 01:41
	That's the cold start knob, for sub zero starts. You shouldn't need a foot on the pedal to start it, so something is wrong. Are you sure it's better with a foot on the throttle? This is after a month or two of sitting idle and it barely needs any cranking: http://youtu.be/sBEsou07EMs?t=20s Is there any difference in the cranking required if the fuel tank is full, or parked nose up/down on a hill? They can be prone to air leaks allowing fuel to run back from the pump, but this seems unlikely in your case as it is worse when warm.
	Mid engined, 6 cylinder, turbocharged 2 seater - it can only be a VW LT!

driveby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Not Quite Newbie Joined: 05 Jul 14 Location: Bristol Status: Offline Points: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote driveby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Nov 14 at 22:22
	Hi, yeah fuel tanks usually 50% to full. Normally parked on the flat too. Starts fine when cold, then I run it for a minute or two to get the oil tp pump round. I'll try cranking next time without floor to the metal. Perhaps it was a placebo effect :-) Cheers - Neil

svenakela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Not Quite Newbie Joined: 13 Mar 13 Location: Stockholm Status: Offline Points: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote svenakela Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Nov 14 at 05:52
	I would say have a timing adjustment and find new injector nozzles. I buy nozzles and injectors on eBay and have always been satisfied.

driveby Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Not Quite Newbie Joined: 05 Jul 14 Location: Bristol Status: Offline Points: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote driveby Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 Nov 14 at 21:59
	Thanks Svenakela, timing belt is going to be changed very soon I will ask in advance if they can measure and adjust at that time.

Carlos&Hannah Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Oct 14 Location: Bucks Status: Offline Points: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote Carlos&Hannah Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 14 at 12:01
	Hi guys, i'm running a D24 LT28. starts great in the warm, but is a B*tch to start on these cold mornings. I have what looks to be a choke (didnt think diesels had chokes?), but doesnt appear to be connected to anything anymore. can anyone give me more info as to whether this should do anything on the diesel models, or just for show! thanks

Canada LT28 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Vanorak Joined: 03 Jan 10 Location: Toronto Status: Offline Points: 1632	Post Options Post Reply Quote Canada LT28 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 14 at 12:33
	It is an advance and should be attached to the injector pump. No doubt someone with more computer skill will be by with a drawing, haha
	94 LT28 Doka 2.4D Slow and built to stay that way 87 T3 soon to be a camper