Performance in the cold

I took my landy to work yesterday (I usually take the car), not sure how cold it was, but it was pretty cold. The landy really seemed to be struggling to get to higher revs. I was literally flat out on the A12 at about 65, whereas it usually reaches 70 with ease.

Apparently it was -11 overnight, but this morning it was -6.5 when I started it up to pop to the shops. It took a bit of turning over before it started (it usually starts immediately) but it did start (unlike my car), so I'm thinking its reliable at starting in the cold but again really quite sluggish when I try to get up to speed. I could bearly manage 40 in 4th gear before the power seems to be stiffled somehow.

So have had it parked up since about 10 this morning, till the missus said her car thinks its -10.5 outside. So I figured I'd see if it still starts at this temperature. It started immediately as it does on a normal day.

So overall it seems really good for starting up at these low temperatures, but does struggle with power when going along. I know that diesel thickens up at low temps, which will affect performance, I just wouldn't expect it affect the performance as much as it is.

So I really wanted to get other people's experiences with their landy's, or any comments as to whether its just because of the cold weather, or have I got problems looming.

Its a 300tdi fender 90 BTW.

i got a 200 in me 90, cold mornings, gearbox a bit stiff till warm but ingine wise, seems to run a lot better we a bit of cold air going through her.

started perfectly this morning and we were down to -14 last night and -11 this am
ran perfectly as well even made the heater appear efficient it was so cold
mines 3.5 v8 110

My 110 when it had the N/A in it used to run brilliant in the cold.

Surprised how civilised my 200tdi is in the Baltic conditions! Bit rattly but liking the cold dry air, and the heated screen is an absolute luxury!

My 300 disco likes the cold

Ok, I can make an exception for Kev's petrol one, but everyone else's responses doesn't bode well for me.

I've got a definite struggle to reach higher revs/power output. Guess I'll be changing the fuel filter soon then and possibly investing in some diesel magic. And I'll check the air filter also.

Anything else I should be looking at?

Lift pump, cheap enough i fitted an allmakes one to mine, made a vast difference.


Lynall

Ditto lift pump advice. I had no power when I first got my 300, Was lift pump. Was ok at low revs but no fuel at high revs. Semms bit like your problem

My 300tdi used to be the same on cold mornings, I changed the fuel filter and put a botle of forte diesel treatment in and was fine from then on

Mine doesn't seem to like the cold, and seems to rattle more.
For some reason my temp gauge doesn't move off cold even with a new temp sensor.

harrisp said:

Mine doesn't seem to like the cold, and seems to rattle more.
For some reason my temp gauge doesn't move off cold even with a new temp sensor.

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My temp guage is the same, but I figure this is because i still have the viscous fan on it. I do have an electric fan to go on, just need to find the time and a slightly warmer day than it is right now.

mundungus said:

My temp guage is the same, but I figure this is because i still have the viscous fan on it. I do have an electric fan to go on, just need to find the time and a slightly warmer day than it is right now.

Click to expand...

Yep mines got a viscous fan and it spins constantly so Im guessing thats why the needle never moves,
Need to get an electric fan to fit.

it will turn constantly but if in good order wont be pulling much air through till viscous hub warms up when rad is hot,viscous hubs arent dear and are better than electric fans for the engine, i would only fit electric instead of viscous if going wading

Better than electric fans for the engine?

there is less thermal shock ,more gently cools engine ,than fan coming on suddenly when engine is hot

Performance wise all engines should run better with colder air charge temperatures. As a rough guide for every 1degree C lower you can get the charge air temp into the combustion chamber, you can count on gaining 1 bhp. Starting may be harder due to the diesel being more viscous, hence you need well working glow plugs.

My 300 TDi has happily started at -12 degrees with no glow plugs working!

Only thing that bothers it starting is if the earths are dirty/damp - cleaned them up and it's been fine since.

Like me, the engine (as I'd expect) has less 'pull' until it's been running 10 mins or so

I had a similar problem in mine the other week. It was down to -16C for several days. I changed the fuel filter and that solved the problem.