Tdci 1.4 Engine Start Up

[Titanium_ben]

Hi just a little question, I've got a 1.4 tdci fiesta and it's the first diesel I've ever had. People keep saying to me to not start the car straight away and let it warm up first. I Forgot you had to do this with old diesel engine's from back in the day, but is it a thing of the past or do you still have to do this.

Thanks

[mb57291]

There should be a glow plug light on your dash when you turn the ignition on. Once this has gone off it shows that the glow plugs have completed there pre heating cycle. Its only illuminated for approx 2 seconds and very easy to miss. The mrs' focus doesnt have this light as its push button start. And the more agricultural diesels will quite often start without the glow plugs but will require a few more cranks of the engine.

Hope that helps

[Magenta]

My previous 2009 Fiesta was a diesel (my first diesel too) and had no glowplug light and no mention of waiting before starting in the handbook.

[Stephen Leak]

There's no warning light nor a requirement to wait with my 2004 oil burner.

However, my mechanic, a diesel specialist, did advise me to keep the engine running for a short while. especially after a long run, to help cool down the turbocharger.

[Titanium_ben]

Thanks for the reply's I have been looking through the handbook to and there is no mention of waiting to start the car. Been talking to a few friends and they all said it's a thing of the past, but I'm still going to start car after a few seconds after turning the ignition on. Thanks for the heads up on leaving it to run for a short wile I will be doing that from now on.

[Zurrieq]

The glow plug on this engine only lights up at around -4 deg or so (depending on the country). So you don't really need to wait for it to go out. But usually I would turn the key to ignition wait a few secs for the lights on the dash to go out and then start the engine. Here in Malta since we never go below 0 I would never see the glow plug light up..... lol

I would give it half a minute before driving or ensure the engine comes down to normal idling (not fast idling) (to ensure good oil circulation especially in colder weather) and half a minute after a drive to let the turbo cool down abit before turning off the engine. Also never switch of the engine when it is still running at high speeds since the turbo would still be running at high speeds and you would cause the turbo to lose its oil resulting in premature wear....

Mine has 66k on the clock and it is still running as new :) Only problem the injector seals failed pretty early (33k). But unfortunetly in Malta we don't have highways so the car always does city driving and getting a car to 100k and still being in good condition is one in a few haha

[Magenta]

I have always made it a habit of waiting say at least 30 secs before driving off, even in a petrol engined car to give the oil time to start circulating (time enough to put your seat belt on etc!). I also always drive gently for the first mile or so in very cold weather. i don't believe in putting full load onto a cold engine. I am not, however, suggesting that you let the engine idle for a long time before driving off as this just makes the engine take longer to reach operating temperature.

[Zurrieq]

I have always made it a habit of waiting say at least 30 secs before driving off, even in a petrol engined car to give the oil time to start circulating (time enough to put your seat belt on etc!). I also always drive gently for the first mile or so in very cold weather. i don't believe in putting full load onto a cold engine. I am not, however, suggesting that you let the engine idle for a long time before driving off as this just makes the engine take longer to reach operating temperature.

I agree (hence why I said half a minute of idling on start up - should be enough to get the oil circulating well enough.). Plus for a diesel I don't usually go over 2k rpm (max 2.3k) when before the temp guage is at normal temp (ie about mid way). Also after a drive especially ones where you have been using 2.5k+ rev range I would leave it half a minute before switching off to let the turbo cool abit.

[frund]

I have one and the dash lights go out when ok to start. The glow plug is there also. So yes wait a few seconds before turning the key.

[mick85]

U should always wait few minutes on start up an let idle for a minute before u turn engine off specially after motorway drive makes sure there always oil feed to turbo

[Titanium_ben]

Thanks for all your advice on this matter much appreciated. :)

[Zurrieq]

Engine mileage.... Still good as new.. Take care of the engine and it will take care of you....

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