VW Golf mk4 tdi cold start at -10 degrees Fahrenheit

This video shows my attempt at starting my 2001 Volkswagen Golf TDI on a cold winter morning. The temperature was -10 degrees Fahrenheit when I started. The Bosch battery just couldn't get the job done until I put it on charge for a few hours.

[@brandonruhl4525]

How you know your battery is bad: after first start attempt clock goes to twelve lol

[@jammymark]

Glow plugs are knackered. The 1 left which is working is the cylinder that tried to fire on first attempt. Also battery needs replacing. When it's that cold also put the sidelights on for a couple of minutes first. That puts an initial drain on the battery which warms it up and protects it from thermal shock.

[@Corysdiyauto]

The glow plugs and harness are only a year old. The battery is shot though.

[@vdwbjorn]

its normally high pressure pump so normally this engine can start without glowplugs(it helps ofcourse to get a cleaner combustion when cold). older diesels like the golf 3 1.9d needs them always to start good

[@jammymark]

Pump deuse is a low pressure pump/ high pressure Injector system. At -10'c all diesels are going to need some preheat from either glow plugs or ether Injection or block preheater to help them start.

[@vdwbjorn]

yes correct now i see that this is the vp pump agr engine

[@ethanmccrory1727]

@@jammymark this is not a pd engine

[@cedricwilson4509]

The battery is shot, not enough cranking to start engine

[@Corysdiyauto]

Yes, I replaced the battery shortly after that cold start attempt.

[@vaxick]

I have a 2000 Golf TDI myself and it has never really had any issues cranking in the negative temps. It has always surprised me as every other diesel I've driven has never cranked with such ease. My folks 2005.5 Passat TDI on the other hand is none to happy cold cranking. That said, have you considered buying a FrostHeater? It'll do wonders for cold cranking along with give you instant heat in the cabin.

[@Corysdiyauto]

vaxick - I would purchase a frost heater if I had to park outside all of the time. Fortunately, I have an insulated garage that keeps the car warm during the winter months. I just wanted to see how well the car would start with it being so cold out for this video. Thanks for watching!

[@Deian09XP]

the thacomather forgot to went up

[@mailjabber]

That's the smaller H6 battery for the gassers. Buy an H7 for the ALH Diesel!

[@Corysdiyauto]

Mail Jab - I will do that next time. It's very odd though...... when you go to the auto parts store, they say this is the correct battery for this car. I bought this car used many years ago and this was the battery type that's always been in it.

[@ethanmccrory1727]

You need a new battery. Glow plugs are probably fine. Supprised it started with a bettery that weak

[@Corysdiyauto]

Ethan McCrory - Yeah I know. I went and purchased a new battery shortly after this video.

[@ethanmccrory1727]

@@Corysdiyauto same engine, brilliant drives and never let me down! Good choice 😂

[@Corysdiyauto]

@@ethanmccrory1727 - I love the 1.9l ALH. It's a great engine. Thank you!

[@gravemind6536]

@@Corysdiyauto Its not a great engine at all. Its the best diesel engine ever made for a car.

[@Corysdiyauto]

@@gravemind6536 - You're absolutely right!

[@ryonbrand7885]

I live in California, so it doesn't get super cold, but my coldest cold start was around 45 Fahrenheit

[@Corysdiyauto]

Ryon Brand - That's cold for California.

[@ryonbrand7885]

Cory Mondics since I'm in the desert, it gets down below zero at night during winter, and is usually around 70 at night in the summer, 100+ during daytime in summer. My car is a vw mk1 rabbit with 1.6 na diesel btw.

[@Corysdiyauto]

@@ryonbrand7885 - Nice car. I hope to own a mk1 rabbit diesel one day.

[@foto2548]

Get a colder starting battery!

[@coolboarder71xxx95]

Wow 😮 it started What a fantastic video you made What was the point of watching this 😏

[@joerail99]

Close your door next time

[@Corysdiyauto]

joerail99 - You're right, I should've. That sound is annoying.

[@crushoncrusch1154]

@@Corysdiyauto Little tip, use Vcds and programm the cluster to UK mode. Then no more door beep If u want u can also turn of seatbelt reminder. I changed the cluster code from my European Golf to Canada mode, cuz i like the door beep

[@Corysdiyauto]

Nali Rauof - That's one thing that I wish I had....VCDS. I don't mind the door beep anyways. I just take my key out if I have my door open.

[@crushoncrusch1154]

@@Corysdiyauto u can go to a Vw dealer and let them do the coding. In Germany its around 25€ Since u live in the US, try tyiping Vcds in ebay or craiglist and see if anyone offers to do Codings or so. A guy who owns a very small shop on my city did the coding on it. Its like a Vcds service shop.. Maybe try typing vcds coding and your city name and see if there is any results on google

[@Corysdiyauto]

Nali Rauof - Thanks for the information and I will do some research.

[@tilowol]

Same thing in my GTI don't know wtf is

[@FlickTricksOffical]

On cold nights the battery needs to stay on charge more so if you only drive the car like once a week and don't drive far.

[@Corysdiyauto]

MrGhettoRig - The battery was just weak or else it would've started. I drive the car almost every day and it's never for a short trip.

[@ainstaink8312]

You made the mistake of stopping the first time..if you kept it longer it probably would have started.

[@Corysdiyauto]

Ainstain K - You might be right. Maybe I should've cycled the glow plugs a second time before attempting to start.

[@ainstaink8312]

Cory Mondics yes that would have helped. Once you start cranking and draining that battery when it gets cold outside it wont recover back to full state unless you use a charger so it is better to just keep cranking to build the heat in the cylinders so the atomized diesel fuel can ignite. I have 2006 VW TDI. It starts every time.

[@vdwbjorn]

well i must say that your engine is making a verry loud ratling noise. i have the same engine but its allot quieter. maybe because its verry cold outside ? wich oil do you use on that engine?

[@Corysdiyauto]

It's always louder when it's cold. I use Pentosin 5w-40.

[@vdwbjorn]

i use castrol magnatec a3/b4 semi synthetic 10w40

[@danradovici754]

Buy a new batery ... shame on you ... what is your respect to wv ??? Buy an electric car :))=)))

[@Corysdiyauto]

Dan Radovici - I did buy a new battery and I love my VW. Electric cars are not for me.

[@danradovici754]

@@Corysdiyauto no smoke ... no fun .. tdi engine are the best ;)

[@danradovici754]

@@Corysdiyauto my tdi golf 4 ajm engine with 340k km (and more i did'n know) give a icecream on a toyota prius ... german engine since '95 are the best. I search to buy an passat to 2015 but i don't have a trust on him. Old tdi are legends

[@Corysdiyauto]

@@danradovici754 - That's why I love my old TDI!