[Brendan B]

Hi all,

With the frosty morning my van is finding it hard enough to start, the frost most be getting in somewhere coz any other kinda morning and its fine, could someone advise whats wrong and what i can do to prevent it from happening?

Cheers

I no its a bit of the CC subject but im afraid the van will pack it in!

[Jim_77]

When was the last time you had it serviced?  Take it to your local friendly mechanic and have a chat about it.  Don't bother with the big places in town with the nice fancy illuminated signs, they'll probably just try to replace everything and charge you a fortune.

[Bob Robertson]

I had a problem with my old Berlingo.I had to spray cold start into the air intake before I tried to start it . Tried a couple of garages and none could fix it. I traded it in as it was so unreliable in the cold.If its your business get something reliable, nothing worse than not knowing if your van will start in the morning with a full days work booked in.

Bob

[russell james]

change your glow plugs (if its a diesel)
not much else to go wrong on a compression ignition engine

[John Milnes]

Agree with above.....it only takes 1 or 2 failed plugs to be difficult to start.

If one has gone, change em all for peace of mind for the next few years.

[M.Acorn]

As above glow plugs ! first sign of cold and you will notice,it`s killed the battery in my rocco too, as i have not used it this week !

[Roy Edwards]

Easy way to know if its your heater plugs ,next cold morning turn ignition on and off few times then start engine,if it starts better change them.

[gwrightson]

and,

i wouldnt really reccomend easy start, its like a drug    once on it you have hell of a job weaning them of the stuff.  In a dire emergency only use with caution.

Geoff

[richie]

I agree,  it may be the GLOW PLUGS.  Turn ignition so all lights come on and leave for about 5 seconds.....turn ignition off then repeat this 3-5 times then start as normal.  Some diesel vehicles have a coil light on the dashboard that will only appear when very cold.  if your vehicle has this simply wait till the coil light goes out before starting.  I always service my vehicles at the 1st sign of the cold weather as the cold really can & will take its toll.  Glow plugs otherwise known as heater plugs are simple to fit on most engines.   If you are not sure how to do it....take your vehicle to your local car spares shop & ask them to show you where the glow/heater plugs are & ask how easy it is to fit new ones.  Doing the job yourself can save you £££.  I only do the servicing on the vehicles that do not have full service history or if have no warranty on them.  Also as Geoff said.....refrain from using things like Easy Start.  Your engine will get addicted to it & eventually the engine will not start unless you use it regardless of the weather.   Alot of the big garages like kwk fit offer various free winter checks & brake checks.  Have your Battery checked to make sure it has enough power to turn your engine at the right speed when starting.  Many older batteries will lose power in colder weather therefore will not turn the engine quick enough.

If i were you & for peace of mind i would do a the following as winter will take its toll on any vehicle especially as it looks like we are going to have a very cold winter.

1,  have battery checked

2, Have intrim service done on the vehicle.  (oil/air/fuel filters.  Oil.  changed.  Also have a engine flush.  Dont go for the cheaper oil,  instead go for a oil that is mid to higher price range ( range making sure it is the correct grade.  If your vehicle has done over 100,000 miles use a higher grade of oil (ask your local spares shop for advice). 

3,  Replace glow/heater plugs

4,  Have brakes all round checked &replaced as required.  (Kwik Fit will do FREE BRAKE INSPECTION FOR YOU)

5,  Make sure your tyres have at least 3-4mm of even tread on them.  1.6mm is the legal limit but on wet/wintery roads your better off having 3-4mm minimum,  dont forget to check your spare wheel either.  Check the tyre pressures at least once a week.


Regarding which oil grade to use in your vehicle check your vehicle handbook or ask your local spares shop.  I only use LUCAS oils now as it is probably the best on the market.   Go onto ebay & type in      item number 270312386383.  If this is not the correct grade simply email the seller telling him which grade you require.  If you have a local spares shop that sells this particular make of oil get it from there as it will/should be cheaper as you wont have to pay the P&P.  I pay £15.99 from my local spares shop for this oil.  LUCAS do a full range of different oils & also supply additives & stabilizers.

Richie.

[russell james]

might as well have an mot while your there