My car has been in the garage having the fuel filter changed after the diesel froze, but I wonder if this is a solution?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdCfZQsZEHQ

It’s not often that I laugh out loud at P-H posts, but I did when I saw this one.  I will be forwarding the link to a few others, for sure…

But on a more serious note, my ageing silver Citroen (diesel HDi) is not enjoying the -20s we are getting in Nancroix overnight.  Yesterday it started OK (coughs a few times when it’s below about -8) but stopped after about 30 secs.  Would only run for 4-5 seconds at a time whenever you re-started it.  I had the same problem about 6 years ago in La Plagne and put it down to a dodgy batch of diesel I’d bought in Intermarche in Albertville.  Co-incidentally, the current tankful is also from Albertville, but this time Casino.  (If it’s anything like London, it’s probably the same depot / distributor for all the local filling stations).

I tried rolling it downhill to see if it would stay running if switched on and engaged in gear, but not much luck.  Eventually after a few kilometers and a few more attempts at re-start, it got going and stayed going.

Given that the injection warning light stayed on thereafter, I put yesterday’s incident down to ‘cheap’ diesel again, waxing/gelling in the system.  In Bourgoin-J I finally got some anti-gelling additive (three previous garages I tried had run out, I guess because of demand caused by the current cold weather) and finally the injection warning light went out and it seemed to run a bit more happily.

BUT… does anyone have any tips for preventing this sort of trouble (serious ones please, no wood-burning stoves)?  Heated garage is not an option.  I’ve heard that adding a couple of pints of petrol to each tankful of diesel is one fix.  I’m sure I can keep buying additive (when available) but that’s expensive and I can’t predict the weather (ie when to treat the tankful of fuel and when not to bother).  Are other cars less prone to gelling (eg maybe thay have a heating coil around the fuel line in advance of the injection system)?

My 2 year old Toyota (or Toy Yoda for the Americans) Yaris has just been in the garage for a replacement fuel filter after the cheap-jack supermarket diesel froze. All diesel sold in the winter in France is supposed to be good to -15C but the garage told me they had sludging at -5C and think the refineries had not been adding antifreeze to the fuel as the start of winter had been very warm.

So after getting my car back I put in Total Excellium which is supposed to be good down to -20C (until the 29th February when they stop putting anti freeze in).

Not sure I would risk petrol with a modern turbo diesel.

Those rascals…

I’ll stick to either additive or buy premium-brand fuel then.  If I add up the cost of missed flights, tow trucks, etc., anything else is not worth it!

BobSki - 14 February 2012 03:02 PM

Those rascals…

I’ll stick to either additive or buy premium-brand fuel then.  If I add up the cost of missed flights, tow trucks, etc., anything else is not worth it!

I will do the same during the winter, 100 euros for a new fuel filter and fitting is plus car out of action for 3 days.

We’ve had the same diesel problem (Merc 2.9 in a SSangyong Musso 4x4)in the Maurienne at only 650m., but we’re fair- (and warm-) -weather skiers, so currently car used only once a week ... and kept in open-door garage with night temps minus 17 - minus20. Yes, had Intermarchés worst rather than premium, but with 4 cm. to spare managed to get car into wine-chai/utility room/workshop, temp +10, so problem fixed. Maybe another answer if a vehicle is parked out of the wind, is an elec heater underneath and a (ground-length reach) car-housse over it? BTW, anyone had our other issue, butane gas bottles turning into dry ice if not immediately taken inside?