deisel freezing problems

please help. I have a 300tdi defender 90 which normally runs perfectly, but for some reason when the temp outside goes below freezing I have problems running . It starts okay and will run for 5 mins , but then i loose all power. After a few moments I can restart and it will run for a few moments then cut out again. I had the same trouble last year but the weather warmed before I found a solution and it ran for the rest of the year okay. Please try and offer some advise, as I hate it being parked up as soon as the weather is bad enough to take real advantage of having a 4x4. Also the neighbours are laughing!

Where do you live? and how cold is it?

i dont think it is freezing diesel cause it was -8 here this morning and mine started ok and drove 20 miles to work

I don't know where you live, but assuming you live somewhere that gets cold then I would assume they will put winterised diesel out (stops it gelling/freezing).

As 90boy says, even at -8 and below diesel as sold in the UK will have no problems. About 8 years ago we had a cold snap and the Disco was starting (eventually) in -25 conditions.

Once its running and you leave it to idle does it cut out?

that sounds more like the vent hole in your filler cap is blocked,if it was pulling air in thru a loose pipe or cracked pipe it wouldnt restart. it could also be a blocked main filter, it could also be a blocked filter in the lift pump,

is the cold start thingy set correctly ?

you dont touch yer go faster pedal while starting do you ?

i live near Aylesbury in the south east , it was -10 today but this can happen a -2. I have another deisel and that was fine. I dont think the deisel is freezing but could it thicken up? could this effect injectors or anything? I just cant think of a solution. Thanks

brnocz said:

that sounds more like the vent hole in your filler cap is blocked,if it was pulling air in thru a loose pipe or cracked pipe it wouldnt restart. it could also be a blocked main filter, it could also be a blocked filter in the lift pump,

Click to expand...

I checked this last year, but wouldnt this effect the drive whatever the temperature . It drives great in + weather conditions.

Sean said:

is the cold start thingy set correctly ?

you dont touch yer go faster pedal while starting do you ?

Click to expand...

Thanks but i dont know what the cold start thingy is?

Yes I do put my foot down sometimes to start the car.

discomania said:

Where do you live? and how cold is it?

Click to expand...

i live near Aylesbury in the south east , it was -10 today but this can happen a -2. I have another deisel and that was fine. I dont think the deisel is freezing but could it thicken up? could this effect injectors or anything? I just cant think of a solution. Thanks

90boy said:

i dont think it is freezing diesel cause it was -8 here this morning and mine started ok and drove 20 miles to work

Click to expand...

i live near Aylesbury in the south east , it was -10 today but this can happen a -2. I have another deisel and that was fine. I dont think the deisel is freezing but could it thicken up? could this effect injectors or anything? I just cant think of a solution. Thanks

a vent hole could block up on 1 run, have you got drain taps on the bottom of your fuel filter if so open it and see what comes out i dont think your fuel is freezing you need to eliminate what is causing the problem and the only way to do it is start at the begining, and it might sound like im takin the **** but im not. fuel in tank, yes, fuel vent in filler cap clear, yes, check if lift pump working, check filter. and so on dont assume that as it worked last week its ok check it,

brnocz said:

a vent hole could block up on 1 run, have you got drain taps on the bottom of your fuel filter if so open it and see what comes out i dont think your fuel is freezing you need to eliminate what is causing the problem and the only way to do it is start at the begining, and it might sound like im takin the **** but im not. fuel in tank, yes, fuel vent in filler cap clear, yes, check if lift pump working, check filter. and so on dont assume that as it worked last week its ok check it,

Click to expand...

okay will do , thanks for your help,i will keep you advised.

Come to think of it, a few years back I developed a similar problem, and it only happened when it was cold.

There was a dodgy connection between the out pipe and the injection pump and it was drawing air and the Lucas pump cannot cope with air.

This theory is all good and well however if you look at the Bosch fuel filter assembly there is NO air venting system, the bosch pump deals with it all, there is a leak off bolt but nothing like the old Lucas CAV assembly (CAV's couldn't get any air or they would die).