Car won’t start

[Double Fault]

Currently in the French Alps and the car has been parked outside for a week (aside from a late afternoon 80km round trip).

Just tried starting it and it fires into life briefly then dies.

Car is a 2006 Volvo diesel.

Suspect the issue is that it”s -8 degrees?

Not sure if there’s anything I can do other than wait for the temp to rise?

Any suggestions?

[randomeddy]

Obviously I don't know what the set up is there but you maybe need to get some extra heat to it by way of a hair dryer etc.

[Double Fault]

Blanket on but hair dryer not practical.

Sun just rising and will hit the car full on so hopefully I can get moving soon.

[anonymous-user]

I wouldn't have thought a minus 8 temp would stop a car from running?

[Double Fault]

I know……doesn’t seem cold enough but it started no problem on Thursday and has been a very reliable car.

The only obvious factor is temperature.

Sun is rising so will hit it full on in about 30 mins so hopefully some sunbathing will do the job.

Bit of a concern though as also have the missus and 2 young kids

[Tony1963]

Pop the fuel cap off for a second, just in case altitude is at play here.

[surveyor]

-8 to a Volvo should be child’s play.

Fuel frozen is my guess

[vaud]

surveyor said:

-8 to a Volvo should be child’s play.

Fuel frozen is my guess

Fuel doesn’t freeze at -8c

[anonymous-user]

Glow plugs need changing? Battery getting old?

[tomsugden]

vaud said:

Fuel doesn’t freeze at -8c

It's only -2 degrees away from the point at which diesel starts gelling. Are you sure it's not colder that -8 OP?

[Double Fault]

tomsugden said:

It's only -2 degrees away from the point at which diesel starts gelling. Are you sure it's not colder that -8 OP?

It could well have been. A friend started his Evoque the other day and it took a while to start and ran pretty lumpy to start with so maybe the fuel is gelling a bit.

Just opened the fuel filler and tried again. Still no joy but seems a little more eager.

Bonnet open and engine bay in full sun. Will try again in an hour.

Any other thoughts/suggestions?

[normalbloke]

biggbn said:

I wouldn't have thought a minus 8 temp would stop a car from running?

It will if the glow plugs are weak. Usually an early indicator when the temps drop.

[Acorn1]

If it fires briefly, it sound s more like fuel starvation

[Double Fault]

Jump start and after much belching and chugging we’re up and running!

[Pica-Pica]

When starting, there would be a delay in the starter motor turning, while the glow plugs warm up. A sign on the dash would normally say that the glow plugs are in action. Did that happen? Where was the diesel bought? I would have thought local diesel would be adjusted to local/regional ambient temperatures. Cars are designed not to need cosseting with blankets etc., especially a Volvo.

[vaud]

Double Fault said:

Jump start and after much belching and chugging we’re up and running!

Maybe get the battery checked?

[E-bmw]

Batteries on their way out are very susceptible to being less efficient in cold weather.

[phil squares]

Could also be the fuel pump failed. When you turn then key to on, can you hear the pump?

[Easternlight]

Is the fuel in it from the UK? Maybe it's not "winter" diesel if that's still a thing?

[GreenV8S]

Next time jump start it from a running vehicle (even if the battery seems OK) and spray cold start spray into the intake while cranking.