Cold Start Issues

[Adventure_JTRD]

It's almost like you have to sample the fuel yourself before you go in for work. The bad fuel excuse seems like a convenient excuse for them to not pursue warranty work.

The whole thing is silly to reject on "bad" fuel, what's the point of the fuel separator/filter then? Isn't it there to stop water ingestion and contaminates?

That is what I questioned to them. If there is that much water in the system that it is causing issues, shouldn't the water in fuel indicator gone off?

The lab that they used to send samples to isn't around anymore, so they did a "at home" test kit. So, obviously, that isn't always the most accurate. They also said that they put the diesel in a container and in the freezer, and it started to freeze up within 30 minutes. Again, not the most accurate testing.

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[rharr]

That is what I questioned to them. If there is that much water in the system that it is causing issues, shouldn't the water in fuel indicator gone off?

The lab that they used to send samples to isn't around anymore, so they did a "at home" test kit. So, obviously, that isn't always the most accurate. They also said that they put the diesel in a container and in the freezer, and it started to freeze up within 30 minutes. Again, not the most accurate testing.

Sounds like these are all things you can do as well to verify their results.

You probably already do this but i make a point to bleed out the fuel filter at every oil change (3500 miles for me) into a clear container to check for water collection. THe water will settle out to the bottom.

Diesel will gel if put in a freezer and you bought it from a location that isn't using a winter blend.
I would guess the bay area doesn't see a hard freeze so you may not have access to a winter blend.

 

[Sting-Gray Neutral Pres.]

Sounds like the dealership is trying to find various reasons for you to pay them a lot of cash in the way that is easiest for them to collect. If they won't fix this under warranty, take it to a different dealership for a second opinion.

For reference: I live somewhere that gets pretty cold. With good batteries the ecodiesel will fire up just fine sitting out overnight in temps down to 0 F. Below zero I've had trouble a couple times with fuel or water freezing up in the rather exposed fuel filter, as suppliers don't seem to blend the diesel fuel quite right for the negative temps that occasionally occur midwinter in my region. For that I now carry a bottle of Diesel 911 in the winter and recently installed the block heater.

 

[Vtur]

Sounds like the dealership is trying to find various reasons for you to pay them a lot of cash in the way that is easiest for them to collect. If they won't fix this under warranty, take it to a different dealership for a second opinion.

For reference: I live somewhere that gets pretty cold. With good batteries the ecodiesel will fire up just fine sitting out overnight in temps down to 0 F. Below zero I've had trouble a couple times with fuel or water freezing up in the rather exposed fuel filter, as suppliers don't seem to blend the diesel fuel quite right for the negative temps that occasionally occur midwinter in my region. For that I now carry a bottle of Diesel 911 in the winter and recently installed the block heater.

I agree with this statement. This dealer sounds fishy. Take it to another dealer if possible.

 

[ZeeJay]

Dealer froze the sample means shit. How big was the container and how long did it sit in fuel filter housing. I bet they can’t answer that, or did they provide the lab result. Yes it’s a valid test but has to be interpreted correctly. If enough water is present then WIF should trip, this depends on how long the probe is, some are stupidly long. Single filter systems on a common rail are junk anyway, absolute piss poor design. System should have 10 micron primary(water separator) and 3 micron secondary. Filter and/or fuel will contribute to rough erratic idle due to low inlet pressure @ high pressure pump but should have an associated low rail pressure fault with it, not a rail pressure circuit fault.

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