Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
ruben wrote:
DSL, that last premise works more for the specialty of internal medicine than for engine mechanics I'm afraid!!
Good job I know as much about medicine as I do about mechanics!!
1st Jan 2018 12:05 pm
ruben D3 Decade
Member Since: 26 Sep 2006
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 2384
lost in translation!
1st Jan 2018 12:11 pm
Erea
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Munster
Posts: 1509
No start this morning -4c might have something to do with it
I know my injectors figures are all over the place and I don’t think the glow plugs are glowing
So I borrowed a hairdryer and it started
8th Jan 2018 10:52 am
Parky63
Member Since: 10 Apr 2017
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 401
Erea,
Having similar problems the moment, all 6 glow plugs are FUBAR'd. I've seen other posts the Forum regarding the hair dryer. Daft question, do you just take the lid off the air filter housing remove the filter and leave the dryer running in there and crank it? Many thanks,
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Munster
Posts: 1509
Cranking for about a minute this morning -4c all I got was loads of smoke no start.
So I was lazy, I put the hairdryer under the bonnet aimed down the side of the engine while having breakfast and then held the hairdryer to the air intake outside on the wing while staring took about 15-20 seconds but it fired up. Opening the air filter would probably be a lot better.
8th Jan 2018 12:45 pm
Parky63
Member Since: 10 Apr 2017
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 401
Erea,
Cheers, I get that. I recall reading a post from a South African (I think) member who used a plant sprayer to spray boiling water onto the Engine Coolant Temperature sensor when his wouldn't start in cold weather. Sounds daft I know but the consensus was that if the engine's "brain" thought it was warmer then different injection timing was used which eased starting.
Last edited by Parky63 on 8th Jan 2018 1:24 pm. Edited 1 time in total
8th Jan 2018 1:07 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10363
Arh. So with the door or window open, you hold the hair dryer into the vent on the wing
and then reach in and turn the key
Only good for the RHD that though
8th Jan 2018 1:09 pm
Erea
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Munster
Posts: 1509
Yes, I’ve long arms. Sat in drivers seat window open I was just able to hold the hairdryer in front of the air intake and used my left hand to turn the key. Right or wrong thing to do I’ll let others decide... but it started. Opening the air filter would have gotten hotter air closer to the engine but I took the lazy way. I’ve often used the hairdryer on tractors but never needed on the D3 before. Even at -15c a few years ago it always started.
8th Jan 2018 1:18 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10363
All you need now, is some mod to fit one of those into the wheel arch.
I wonder if you can get 12v hair dryers. Unlikely I guess
Last edited by Pete K on 8th Jan 2018 1:55 pm. Edited 1 time in total
8th Jan 2018 1:23 pm
Erea
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Munster
Posts: 1509
Might be easier than getting the FBH to work I’ve a remote for the FBH but I’ve throw the kitchen sink at mine and it will only stay working for 2 to 3 minutes before shutting down
So hairdryer for the odd very cold morning I need it might be the only option.
8th Jan 2018 1:32 pm
criky18
Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 30
Nice one about the hairdryer and using air inlet on wing. Should be easy standing alongside open door and turning key from outside. Will give it a try when we have freezing cold and I just know that my originally posted problems will be there. Once cold snaps are over my disco should return to reliable starting again.
Thanks for thoughts and ideas. Just amazing what little gems you hide away and with the help of this site they can be exposed.
10th Jan 2018 12:27 pm
Go_West
Member Since: 15 Sep 2016
Location: Breda
Posts: 51
I had exactly the same problems. I also fitted the Altox heater, that worked out pretty well.
A few weeks ago I changed my Bosch battery for an Exide, now it starts perfectly without using the Altox heater.
So might be worth checking the battery first.-2007 Disco 3 TDV6 HSE Stornoway Grey
-2007 Mini JCW Full Black SWMBO's
10th Jan 2018 3:14 pm
Parky63
Member Since: 10 Apr 2017
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 401
For what it's worth. My D3 has been having trouble starting at anything below 2C. Last Friday (0C) and today (-1C) fired up with no issues - a bit lumpy, but it started.
Only thing that I've changed is the fuel. Gone from Tesco standard diesel to BP standard diesel. Maybe Tesco either aren't adding or aren't adding enough winter diesel additive which means that the injectors can't produce a decent enough spray pattern for the engine to fire? You're thoughts appreciated.
not sure if you have already tried this but I would never run mine on supermarket fuel , BP ultimate , Shell V power or the Esso premium grade make such a difference.
I have a few plugs down and did struggle below zero , a new battery and it starts as it always did .
I had exactly the same problems. I also fitted the Altox heater, that worked out pretty well.
A few weeks ago I changed my Bosch battery for an Exide, now it starts perfectly without using the Altox heater.
So might be worth checking the battery first.
No Altox but a new battery sorted mine for now , but I do have plugs down
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
I’ve a remote for the FBH but I’ve throw the kitchen sink at mine and it will only stay working for 2 to 3 minutes before shutting down 
