tdi question...no glow plugs?

[83-240D]

okay i have to admit i am stumped.

i was talking to a fella who works at checker and he has a tdi. i was asking for glow plugs and he said he was glad he didn't need them.

what starts these things? is it the same with the cdi?

[pawoSD]

He's wrong, his car does infact have four glow plugs. He'll find out when they fail....

Even the huge V10 toureg tdi has 10 glowplugs (wshew)

[DieselAddict]

Don't quote me on this, but from my limited research if I remember correctly the TDI does have glow plugs, but they're not used unless the temp is below a certain value, something like 48F. Better heat conservation is one advantage of the direct injection design.

[pmari]

Even when temps are in the low teens. The glow plug light only comes on for a second or 2 at most.

[uberwgn]

VW TDis are equipped with 4 glow plugs for the engine (1 per cylinder ) and 3 auxiliary glow plugs that heat the coolant when called for by the ECu.

[sailor15015]

He can probably just hop in and crank it without having to wait for the GP's. When I drive my boss's new (like and '04) Chevy diesel truck, I always wait for the light to go out out of habbit. On the other hand, he hopps in and cranks it without waiting and I'll tell you, it starts the same no matter if you wait or not. I know its not a Merc but I'm guessing they're both DI.

[dataiv]

I believe the specs are below 7 degrees C and the glow plugs are used. Above that temperature and the light cycles just to show you that it works. I currently have the head off my Jetta and had just taken some pics of it. Here is a picture close up that shows the two valves, fuel injector and glow plug. Pretty neat, really.

[Krueger]

My neighbor has a 2001 Jetta TDI which starts immediatly even if it's below zero F. He doesn't have to wait, it's just like starting a regular gas engine. Is it just because I have a '77 MB model that it takes a while to start in the cold, or do all MB diesels require a certain glow time? You would think Mercedes, being versed in luxury and convinience, would have the same engineering.

[DieselAddict]

Originally Posted by Krueger

My neighbor has a 2001 Jetta TDI which starts immediatly even if it's below zero F. He doesn't have to wait, it's just like starting a regular gas engine. Is it just because I have a '77 MB model that it takes a while to start in the cold, or do all MB diesels require a certain glow time? You would think Mercedes, being versed in luxury and convinience, would have the same engineering.

Isn't it a bit unfair to compare '77 technology with '01 technology? All indirect injection diesels require glow time before starting them cold. All MB diesels were indirectly injected until the CDI came along last year, though Europe has had the CDI's since the late 90's.

[pawoSD]

Older MB diesels may take longer to start when cold, but they sound cooler, last longer, and are generally more awesome than the vw tdi's

*Puts flame suit on*

[Marcb]

Originally Posted by uberwgn

VW TDis are equipped with 4 glow plugs for the engine (1 per cylinder ) and 3 auxiliary glow plugs that heat the coolant when called for by the ECu.

I believe the coolant heaters are only on the 5-speed models...

[Krueger]

I completely understand that 1977 technology cannot be compared to 2001 technology. However, do the newest MB Diesels start like a normal gas engine (like the TDI) or do they still require a limited glow time?

[pmari]

I love'em all, but from your statement, I'll assume you have not driven a 04 or newer TDI
I'll race ya for pink slips with my TDI

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Older MB diesels may take longer to start when cold, but they sound cooler, last longer, and are generally more awesome than the vw tdi's

*Puts flame suit on*

[Krueger]

I guess I answered my own question - up until last year when the CDI was introdcued, all MB diesels were indirect. The point in my original message then holds. VW and American made diesels perfected the glow system before MB - due to the fact of direct injection diesels.

[83-240D]

Originally Posted by Krueger

I completely understand that 1977 technology cannot be compared to 2001 technology. However, do the newest MB Diesels start like a normal gas engine (like the TDI) or do they still require a limited glow time?

monday the salesman reached in and just twisted the key. the wife and i just gawked at each other, wow (insert jaw dropping smiley here). of course there was no key perse just this square infra red peg that goies in the square hole.