4 Volvo's and I had to drive a Fiat today.....WTF??

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

So, the S70 dieaseal refused to start, It blocked on the 740 and the petrol S70, and the V40 wouldn't even drive out over the snow

So, headed shopping in SWMBO's Punto, and I must say, it done very well in the snow

Anyway, the dieaseal I'm assuming had frozen diesel, at 11.30 this morning, it was showing -8 and a friend of mine said it was -15 at 7.30am, anyway, at 4pm, and a fresh battery, temp showing -4, car started. So, I'm thinking, I'll move the V40, put it to the top of the drive out of the way, with the 740 infront of it and leave the Punto and the 2 S70's out so I won't be caught out getting to work.

So, goes to the V40, battery flat.....

Move on to the 740, started, cleared, but no heater....

Move on to the petrol S70, flat battery.....

Moral of the story, in conditions similar to Sweden....... Buy a Fiat lol

Not only all this, I figured the petrol S70 isn't worth arguing with tonight, as its under 6" of snow, I got the V40 running, moved it from its resting place, moved the S70TDi & Punto to the street and the 740, into the V40, tried to reverse up the drive, not happening, turned around, 4th attempt, up she goes, 3 attempts and the S70TDi parked where the V40 was, that things like a tractor (when its running lol), onto the 740, 15mins later, still not in the drive, scraped 2 paths for the tyres and went for grit, another 10mins of trying, and finally got it up the driveway, and the Punto, well, its drove right in as if there was no snow at all

RANT OVER lol

[johnnyv70]

lmao,, would of give up and gone and had a cuppa,lol, must admit though my v70 over the last 2 days has took the knock, got it going lastnight about 8 ish, quick spin up the motorway and thought that should be ok for today...wrong..went out and tried this morning and yep flat again, so I would say the battery has had enough of this cold weather aswell,going to lend a charger of a mate tomorrow, get the battery tested, and see what happens before I shell out for a new battery......and thats only with 1 car,lol...

john

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

Both the S70's have new battery's, fitted this year, not cheap ones either, and I had all 4 cars running and cleared last Wednesday, and all bar the V40 started perfectly

Kind of disappointed that Volvo didn't allow for diesel freezing below -8, I think it might have been to do with the fact it was A) so cold and B ) parked on top of snow

Tomorrow will tell.....

[johnnyv70]

so do you think its just the minus tempretures thats to blame or the battery,s kput...would a slow charge bring it back to life....

john

[Ragamuffin]

If. and only if it is diesel freezing, put a cupful of petrol in the tank when you get it running. Stops the diesel re-freezing.

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

Could be just extreme cold, my V40 I think needs a battery, the petrol S70 has a history of draining the battery when its not used, so that combined with the temp could answer that one.

Battery's generally have a 3 year life, so if its around 3 years old, I'd say it needs replaced, especially going flat over night. This is the weather that will test a battery. Be worth checking the acid if its not a sealed battery, a dry cell will cause the same issues

[johnnyv70]

Originally Posted by NI_Volvo_Nut

Could be just extreme cold, my V40 I think needs a battery, the petrol S70 has a history of draining the battery when its not used, so that combined with the temp could answer that one.

Battery's generally have a 3 year life, so if its around 3 years old, I'd say it needs replaced, especially going flat over night. This is the weather that will test a battery. Be worth checking the acid if its not a sealed battery, a dry cell will cause the same issues

thanks Andy, will check all tomorrow

john

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

Originally Posted by S60 Turbo

If. and only if it is diesel freezing, put a cupful of petrol in the tank when you get it running. Stops the diesel re-freezing.

Nice one

When you say a cup full, I'm not a fan of mixing petrol and diesel, I heard about so-called mechanics at it to get cars to pass the diesel smoke test

So, would 1/2lt to a full tank be enough? Maybe add 1lt of engine oil to compensate for it?

I'm 99% certain it was diesel freezing, at 11.30 when I was cranking, it was trying to fire, but no smoke ect, later with the battery recharged, it started as normal

[Ragamuffin]

Originally Posted by NI_Volvo_Nut

Nice one

When you say a cup full, I'm not a fan of mixing petrol and diesel, I heard about so-called mechanics at it to get cars to pass the diesel smoke test
So, would 1/2lt to a full tank be enough? Maybe add 1lt of engine oil to compensate for it?

Just a couple of coffee cups full to a car tank wont do any harm. I wouldn't put engine oil in though.

[Volvon]

The diesel doesn't freeze as such, it just becomes gel like, and 99% of the time this clogs the filter which prevents starting.

Get some Diesel anti-gelling agents from the motor factors and these should keep your tank, lines and filters from gelling up (alternatively put petrol in)