Battery or earth may be?

Discovery 1 300tdi is struggling to start in the mornings only on frosty mornings mind, I'm guessing the battery is on its last legs? Or could there be another reason earth may be? And if it is the battery what's the best make one to go for? Gonna be putting a split charge on it in the next few months so one to go with this would be good? I'm thinking for the other battery to run winch lights etc an yellow top optima?

Prob cold nights not helping, but checking earths first is always a good idea, some people put polystyrene around there battery for insulation

You can check the earth by connecting a jump lead from the engine block to the battery negative.
However you saying that it's worse when the weather is colder does indicate the battery.

Thanks both as said it only seems when we have a frost, just about got it going last few days but today could not get it to fire, will take battery off and charge it see if it will charge and them hold its charge, and see how it goes, sill question where is the earth go to?

earths to the engine and body.

Ok will check them tomorrow aswell

I'm having the same problem,battery drain really quickly trying to start a few mornings ago. Charged the battery and it started first time,that night i removed the battery and left it inside overnight and it started first time in the morning.

I'm thinking either the batter is goosed and cant handle the cold or i have a drain somewhere,ill test it in the morning before i start it and see how it goes.

flatline said:

I'm having the same problem, battery drain really quickly trying to start a few mornings ago. Charged the battery and it started first time, that night I removed the battery and left it inside overnight and it started first time in the morning.

I'm thinking either the battery is goosed and can't handle the cold or I have a drain somewhere, I'll test it in the morning before I start it and see how it goes.

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What vehicle have you got? Model/engine/gearbox? Early Discos - TDi models - rarely suffer from inappropriate battery drain, but subsequent models TD5/TDv6 etc are known to do this.

Sounds to me like your battery is just not man-enough. You need something with at least 800cca in bad weather.

Dave

Are you letting the glow plugs warm before cranking the engine ?

The V8 man said:

Are you letting the glow plugs warm before cranking the engine ?

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I'm in for a new battery soon, i'll do this twice just to make sure that it's hot enough, take about 3-4 seconds to start, but once she's going she'll start on the button for the rest of the day.

It was fine in the morning,started first time but it wasnt anywhere near as cold.

98 300tdi.

If it's on cold mornings I'd check the glow plugs first

Cold weather exposes dodgy batteries especially on a diesel with high compression ratios. Have a test done on battery. Your hard starting is either that or air leak in fuel system probably

Cheers all, off to. Town the weekend to have battery tested if it is no good, what battery's would be best to go for with a split charge system?

gazza1591 said:

Cheers all, off to. Town the weekend to have battery tested if it is no good, what battery's would be best to go for with a split charge system?

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1000cca main battery is what I use. I use optima but any decent make will do.

What are decent makes in battery's never had to buy one before so no idea lol

Look for one with a long guarantee.
The Higher the CCA ( with in reason) the better, I use an 800cca, I think the proper battery is about 600CCA so I have more power in reserve than standard, I had to trim 10mm off the radiator bracket though.
I would test the battery charging system and glow plugs, in that order
Most motor factors will do the battery and charging system for free

This is interesting. I have the same problem - 300tdi not starting on cold and frosty mornings. However it's definitely not the battery in my case as it's got a brand new 1000cca battery fitted. This morning it started fine (without me even needing to recharge it from the previous occasion where it just wouldn't start and simply ran down the battery until the car was barely turning over. Loosing patience with it and finding it very frustrating not being able to use the thing on the days when I most need it so any ideas would be gratefully received.

Is it and EDC Disco? If so its probably like mine a dog to start,

Just looked and it's a varta E12 74Ah battery on there these any good? Just looking what to buy as may be a new battery and then the 2nd battery when I fit the split charge but cant decide lol