Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Hi all

My vans starter motor has Died, spins but does not engage, it was making a horrible noise starting, so I guess the teth on the spindle have disintergrated. I was going to fit the starter motor myself, but i gotta jack up parts of the car and disconnect loads of different things, far to much like hardwork, what i want to know is that as the electrics are fine, (pre warming etc) and I live at the top of a hill, can I bump start it. I know people say you cant bump start diesels, but willl I get away with it?

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

I don't think that you can bump start a diesel.....

I'm trying to think back now to how internal combustion engines work.....

Suck, squeeze, bang, blow.....

Nope, don't think it will work.

(Actually, I know very little about internal combustion engines, just wanted an excuse to post suck, squeeze, bang, blow :D >
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The thing with diesels is that the compression (the squeeze bit) required is a lot higher than it is on a petrol engine. Unless you get sufficient compression the thing simply won't start.

I think you're gonna need to make sure that the batteries in really good nick and that the glow plugs are hot at the moment that you dump the clutch.....otherwise you're gonna find yourself at the bottom of a hill with no way of getting back up ;)

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

well i am thinking that as the electrics etc are sound that running it though normal start up as i dump the clutch might do it..

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Should work we bump started a peugeot 1.9 gld 309 a few years back in similar circumstances took a few goes.

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Course you can bump start a diesel, turn the ignition key, wait for the heater plug lights to go off then go for your life, make sure you are in 2nd. I've bump started many diesels when I was a cabbie.

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Thats what I think as well :tu: don't you have to reach a certain speed before it will bump though IIRC 30 m.p.h. ( not sure about that )

:2cents:

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Yep i heard that 30 was the optimum speed, but diesel engines are a bit more refined these days, so it could be lower.

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

You could always try towing it, would certainly save you some breath!

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

It will only have heater plugs if its inderect injection. If its direct injection you dont have to wait for the heater plugs.

Anyway, you will struggle to bump start a diesel just by pushing it. The deisel only burns due to the heat created by the high compression. The compression ratio is much higher than with a petrol engine. Therefore you will have two problems, 1 pushing it with the engine turning and 2 getting enough speed to generate the required heat in the combustion chamber.

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

just a question what car is it?

and yes bumping a diesel it not a problem depending who is doing it
get it rolling
give it the heaters
select second gear
throttle flat to the floor
dump the clutch
but if its a very modern car some will not start unless the key is in the sterter motor position :)

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Our 330d was bump started the other morning no problem (hubby tends to sit in the car with the lights on listening to music on night shift).

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Isn't the problem with bump starting a diesel only if it doesn't have enough power to open the fuel solenoid?
Although with enough speed it should turn the engine at least once and hopefully give enough power for the solenoid to open.

Remember, a petrol engine stops because when you turn the ignition off, it stops the sparks.
In a diesel, it cuts the fuel flow.
And after WW3, you'll be grateful for having a diesel ;)

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

nope modern diesels have ECUs it would have to be old like mine, not a micro chip to be found

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Yes, I'd be going for a good old PSA diesel :)

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

mines 18 today :birthday: brum brum

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Its old, N reg its a Van Astra 1.7DT its done a million miles, but the battery is in good nick, i live at the top of a hill. I will let you know how i get on later...

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

I wouldn't drive it. You don't yet know whether the starter motor gear teeth or parts of the engagment mechanism have broken off. You don't want bits of metal flailing around your bell-housing. Could knacker your clutch up.

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

one thing before you bump it give the metal part of the solenoid on the starter a few cracks with a hammer then try the key agian sometimes the motor spins but the dog doesnt fly forward and engage
if not go for it just remember the heaters and :idea: dont stall it:D

the starter is pretty easy to change on them but check it before you change it it could be the starter ring on the flywheel:rolleyes:

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

I am worried that its the stearter ring, but wont know unitl i get the starter motor, unfortunatly living on a hill rather stops you from jackng the car up...

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Park it sideways then :D

I'll get me coat.

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Thanks.... i think ;)

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

easy to bump start then if you live on a hill.
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Health and Safety at work act says, never park sideways on a hill

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

TBH I wouldn't get under a jacked-up car even on flat ground. Proper axle stands or ramps on flat ground is what one needs.
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I seriously doubt it would be the ring gear. The starter motor gear is much more likely to break first.

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

But he's at home!?! :D

Taxi for one!

Ben

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

so just because they tell you at work not to put your hand in a fire you would still do it at home :rolleyes:

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

I have got axle stands but i dont fancy the mixture of wet days hills cars etc... just waiting for a quote from my garage..

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

pity you live so far away ide have done it for the cost of the parts :)

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Thats a kind thought, but you would have been rewarded, anyone who does a good deed should be :)

Re: Bump Starting a Diesel
 

Are you sure it`s the starter motor? Years back i stripped a couple of teeth off the ring gear. Try putting it in gear and rocking it. If it is the ring gear, it will move on to a new cog instead of sitting in the gap.