can't start my vw passat

[sammmo]

this morning I went to start my Passat but it does'nt fire up the engine is turning but just won't go.. it was minus 11deg c is that cold enough to freeze the diesel ?

[Count-A-Strong]

Are you letting the glow plugs warm up first?

[sammmo]

yes they are warmed up..but the oil light comes on which is a worry, then a sign comes on telling me to stop

[Count-A-Strong]

My daughters golf did this the other morning. basically the oil has 'sludged' due to the cold and the sensors are therefore saying there's not enough to drive (hence the STOP sign as well.

[sammmo]

Thanks for that CAS it must be this synthetic type oil they use..the trouble is the cars still outside so any tips on how to warm it up?

[Count-A-Strong]

sammo - your oil may have some water in it which will have frozen, which doesn't help the problem. Are you in a breakdown club? If so, ask there advice.

[gsr600]

get yourself some Bradex easy start - i have had the same problem since Saturday-
squirt it up your air intake & it should fire up OK - don't use the glowplugs before cranking it.

[TWR]

"DANGER" If you start using the Easy Start to fire up your car It will need it each time! Do not use it, we used to use that on HGVs years ago & the engine had a job to start without the stuff.

[TWR]

Going off past experience your derv has frozen, when clear add some paraffin to your derv we found that the derv would not freeze after using it.

[Count-A-Strong]

I doubt if it's the derv TWR - why would the oil light come on?

[TWR]

Hi Count, we found if the front of the HGV was facing the winters wind the Filters + pipes would freeze up, if he / she has checked the oil ( I presume they have? ) there should be no probs in that area.

[Count-A-Strong]

TWR checking the oil will do no good at all as the Dioscuri takes a reading from the sump where all the oil will be anyway. As I said, daughters Golf was the same. I drove with her for a few miles and it sounded like a tractor until the engine block warmed and the oil got going round the engine ( yes, I know this won't have done the engine much good but had no choice).

[Count-A-Strong]

Dioscuri = Dipstick (stupid phone)

[mjwman]

My Skoda Octavia has done this. Sometimes when icy (but not this spell so far) others when warm.
After loads of cranking it eventually goes ok. Last time it did it in August the oil light came on and it made a fearfull noise.
No fault code has ever shown and my son in law who has his own VW specialist garager can find no fault. Odd one.
Yours has a similar engine so fault could be related may be?

[sammmo]

thanks for all your answers, my car was serviced about 6 weeks ago so there is enough oil.. I think i will just leave it a few more days till the weathers better then try it again.. the wifes car is ok and we have both finished work till the new year so theres no rush to get it working..its just strange because I have had the car for 5 yrs and its the first time its let me down..maybe its time to change it..

[yobanfa]

If your using Diesel from a branded name garage and not supermaket diesel, the DERV wont freeze as all branded named garages use fuel additives in the fuel where supermarkets dont

[AlBags]

1. There is NOTHING wrong with Synthetic Oil for diesels.
2. Check glowplugs are ok .. Take out and stick across battery using a jump lead .. If they glow red after a few seconds, refit and check next one. Check glowplug relay ok.
Battery? Try to Jump start. If ok, run around til hot and change battery if constantly needs jump-starting.