>My 1.6 Diesel Vanagon is having a bit of trouble with the cold starts lately.
>I've got the feeling it is just the pre-glowing (or what you call it in
>englsih), because after the light goes out, it takes forever for the start
>engine to 'catch'. I just keep the ignition key turned, it makes those
>pre-starting noise for a couple of minutes (!), then it slowly starts to
>shudder a bit and eventually the engine will respond with some better
>noises and start. Although it starts eventually I find it a bit scary and I
>don't want to wear the battery out.

If your engine is turning with the starter motor but is taking ages to
fire, perhaps almost running but when you let the key go it stops, it could
be:

1) glowplugs failing or not enough electricity getting to them
2) fuel blockage (filter) or water in fuel filter
3) faulty/worn fuel pump or pump timing
4) compression very low

I have experienced all of these with Toyota diesels. 1 & 2 should be easy
to check and fix.

With 4 the car would crank for ages, giving the glowplugs repeated
warmings, and eventually the engine would begin to fire weakly, not enough
to run without the starter. Finally it would start, blowing clouds of black
smoke briefly, and once warm would it start normally. The rings were very
worn and the cylinder bores had lips at the tops. This is hard on the
battery and hard on your nerves and patience!

Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
VW & mollusc nut
1984 VW Caravelle (currently SVX engine; waiting for a Porsche trans)
1985 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma 2.0 (FWD), for sale
1986 CE80 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel (extaxi)
1989 CE96 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel van/wagon
1989 CT170 Toyota Corona Select 2.0 diesel (taxi)