pos
Well-Known Member
Generally speaking I would never suggest adding petrol to diesel for easy starting unless you live somewhere where the diesel is likely to wax (say -15 degrees or something like that?) but even then, there are better alternatives to petrol for easy starting with added benefits. I look at it solely from a wear & tear perspective. "Modern" diesel contains very little in the way to lubricate your injection pump and injectors. A few years ago, before the government were so "concerned" about the environment, diesel contained a very high level of sulphur which helped with the lubrication of the injection pump and injectors. Never the less, diesel is considerably thicker and "oilier" than petrol, so it does reduce friction between metal to metal a hell of a lot better than petrol but I wouldn't want to be thinning it down any further than it already is. A better solution, which does actually work, is the addition of a fuel additive from the likes of Millers, Stanadyne (who manufacture injection pumps) or Liqui-Molly. They are cetane boosters, so it has a similar effect to adding petrol when it comes to cold starting but they also have added ingredients to help lubricate your fuel injection system and remove varnish from the internals of your injectors and soot deposits that build up around the nozzle holes which does, after a significant time, effect your spray pattern. A lot of diesel additives suggest that you only mix a small ratio in with your diesel. I always tend to double the quantity just for good measure. If you don't fancy spending a tenner every 10 tanks of diesel, just whack a bit of kerosene in your tank. if you happen to get dipped, just tell them you have put some injector cleaner in your tank.
On another note, if you have a tdi engine be it 200 or 300 and it doesn't like to start well in cold weather, there's more than likely something wrong with your engine than your fuel. Glow plugs are the first thing to check naturally, but other than that you might be talking about a faulty or a stuck cold start advance mechanism on the bottom of your injection pump or worn injectors. After 5-7 seconds on glows (with all four working correctly) it should spark into life with the usual puff of black smoke and then idle smoothly, perhaps slower than usual on very cold days, but it shouldn't misfire or white smoke.
-Tom
On another note, if you have a tdi engine be it 200 or 300 and it doesn't like to start well in cold weather, there's more than likely something wrong with your engine than your fuel. Glow plugs are the first thing to check naturally, but other than that you might be talking about a faulty or a stuck cold start advance mechanism on the bottom of your injection pump or worn injectors. After 5-7 seconds on glows (with all four working correctly) it should spark into life with the usual puff of black smoke and then idle smoothly, perhaps slower than usual on very cold days, but it shouldn't misfire or white smoke.
-Tom
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