Won't start. Probably gelled up

stevers314 · 01-03-2014, 11:32 PM

Plug light is not consistent for me. Came on the other day when my car read +4C, saw it again around -2C. Absolutely nothing today when it read -10C.

Each day was after sitting ~8h outside.

FormerRotor · 01-04-2014, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorqueAddict

BUT, i did not see the glow plug symbol go on!

Lol. So fricking awesome. This is why I was explaining to a coworker of mine who worked on diesels for the military in the 80s that he really needs to check out our car to change his perception. He is still very much of the "high emissions, long warm-up, mediocre performance, higher maintenance due to higher pressures" mind-set.

kbsilver · 01-04-2014, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael335d

2 degrees in Chicago this morning & my car sat for about 36 hours. It started immediately and ran fine without glow plugs.

If I'm not mistaken the glow plugs are turned on as soon as you unlock the doors, for sure as soon as you put in the key (unless comfort option equipped). Point is most likely the glow plugs are used in these cold weather conditions, but BMW does a very good job of hiding it so it acts more like a gas engine. In this case I believe it was the fuel filter heater that needed to be on longer to get the car to start.

Quasimodem · 01-05-2014, 08:54 PM

Has anybody tried just turning their water heater up and plugging a hose into a hot water outlet (if you have a sink in the garage it might have a screw in connector for the hose) and spraying hot water onto the area of the fuel filter (probably best to do this from the passenger side of the car, maybe jack it up a bit but don't go under the car with the hose)?

If I recall right, the fuel filter is exposed, of course if the gelling is higher up, this might not work, but I don't think it could hurt.

Got_Diesel · 01-12-2014, 09:26 PM

My 2014 Q5 TDI was just towed to the dealer due to gelled fuel last week. It really sucked. I can't believe the fuel gelled. It was cold and the car was outside the whole time. It started up just fine ran a bit, then stuttered and stalled. It would then start, move a little and then stall again.

01-03-2014, 11:32 PM	#23
stevers314 packet jockey 16 Rep 299 Posts Drives: 2011 335d M Sport Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Austin iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 335d [0.00]	Plug light is not consistent for me. Came on the other day when my car read +4C, saw it again around -2C. Absolutely nothing today when it read -10C. Each day was after sitting ~8h outside. __________________ 2011 335d With great torque comes great responsibility
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01-05-2014, 08:54 PM	#26
Quasimodem Colonel 147 Rep 2,383 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335d US [0.00]	Has anybody tried just turning their water heater up and plugging a hose into a hot water outlet (if you have a sink in the garage it might have a screw in connector for the hose) and spraying hot water onto the area of the fuel filter (probably best to do this from the passenger side of the car, maybe jack it up a bit but don't go under the car with the hose)? If I recall right, the fuel filter is exposed, of course if the gelling is higher up, this might not work, but I don't think it could hurt. __________________ Speakers: CDT Audio HD-42 comps--front doors (RAAMmat deadened), CDT ES-06 6.5" woofers--kickpanl Pods, Hertz EBX202R dual 8" ported trunk sub. Amps: Phoenix Gold RSd 500.4 (comps & pods). PG RSd 600.1 (sub). Power & Ground: 4AWG Streetwires w/RockFosgt RFDB1 distro blocks. Input: HU lineout--Kicker KISL RCA adapters--RockFosgt RFIT-6 cables--Audiocontrol Matrix--Monster cables--RSd 500.4--lineout Monstr Cabl to RSd 600.1.
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01-12-2014, 09:26 PM	#27
Got_Diesel Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	My 2014 Q5 TDI was just towed to the dealer due to gelled fuel last week. It really sucked. I can't believe the fuel gelled. It was cold and the car was outside the whole time. It started up just fine ran a bit, then stuttered and stalled. It would then start, move a little and then stall again. __________________
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