Hi, newbie here and all help gratefully received.

Our Octavia won't start - presumably because it's minus 4 degrees. The battery seems fine, but the engine doesn't 'catch' (sorry completely clueless about the technical terms).

Called out the breakdown service (car is at home), and the guy decided it might be the glow plugs but he didn't know where they were . . .

Needless to say, not very impressed. Rang to request a second opinion call out, and was told that if they came out again today (Sunday) and car needs to go to the garage tomorrow they will charge us for towing. So we have to leave second call out until tomorrow when tow will be free if necessary.

As I am currently 38 weeks pregnant, we are very keen to get the car sorted asap!

Have tried searching for photos/drawings of where the glow plugs might be located but haven't managed to find any - could you point us in the right direction. Or if you have any other suggestions as to possible cause / solution.

Many thanks

Ali

lol, he didn't know where the glowplugs are, did he not have the slightest clue?

Good look with the pregancy, my mrs is 39 weeks, hope ours starts.

You need to remove the big plastic engine cover, and then you will see four of them at the front of the engine.

Edited 11 January, 200917 yr by jamesmckelvie

Turn the ignition to the 2nd position (not engaging starter motor), wait until the yellow piggy tail icon for the glow plugs goes out, then turn ignition off and repeat. Should start, if the engine is capable, especially if it's not that cold, at -4. I use this to make it easier on the Passat to start at -20 and beyond.

a good place to start is with the fuse.

Oh dear... which recovery company is this so I can avoid them?

As already stated if you have problems cycle the glow plugs 2 or 3 times before starting and if this helps take it to a garage and get the glows changed

Also an option is the fuse and the glow plug relay.

He wont see the glow plugs unless he strips the engine, they are inside so its not really that silly.

TBH it should start even without the glowplugs even if it doesnt do very well even in these temps, im thinking there is another issue.

He wont see the glow plugs unless he strips the engine, they are inside so its not really that silly.

TBH it should start even without the glowplugs even if it doesnt do very well even in these temps, im thinking there is another issue.

Surely he could have made an educated guess based on experience though?

As Ross said (and I have forgotten before) they are inside the top of the engine as opposed to external as per a set of spark plugs.

Thanks for your comments - currently waiting for the breakdown truck to appear. We are with Britannia who have always been excellent in the past, but it appears they are now using "On Time" as their local agents. Will let you know if todays 'mechanic' is any better than yesterdays!

A couple of you have mentioned a fuse - we checked this yesterday and it was OK. From reading other posts it seems the temperature sensor might be a likely suspect?

Interesting, I'm with Britannia.

Where in the country are you as they tend to use a rather good local company down south.

Should also check the battery.

I had a similar cold weather starting issue a few years ago with a diesel Xantia. Engine seemed to turn over pretty well on the starter but it took an age to start. I tried all the glow plug recycling but no better. Glow plugs were changed twice but still no joy.

Turned out to be the battery.

Same problem on the company runabout van last year - new battery cured that too.

Which part of the engine needs to be removed to access the glow plugs - the black plastic "rocker cover"?

lol, he didn't know where the glowplugs are, did he not have the slightest clue?

Good look with the pregancy, my mrs is 39 weeks, hope ours starts.

You need to remove the big plastic engine cover, and then you will see four of them at the front of the engine.

I think you need to be a little more understanding when someone ask's a question on here.

The guy is seeking help not sarcasm.

This is the type of attitude that stops folk from asking questions in the first place.

the guy is just looking for a straight forward answer to a simple question.

I still need to replace the glow plugs on my engine but I don't want to be playing a "search and rescue" game dismantling half the engine to find them - I'd rather know where to start. Are they behind the intake manifold or under the "plastic rocker cover" (I doubt it since they'd be covered in oil?)?

Not sure on the similarities between 2.0 and 1.9 PD, but this is where the 4 plugs sit on the 1.9 head.

That looks like the usual pretty obvious location but I really can't figure out where they are on the 2.0.

I read that on the A4 they are under the cam cover beside the injectors so I assume this is similar to the 2.0 PD.

I think YOU ought to read the rest of the thread before you start dishing out the criticism dude! The HE you refer to is a she & the guy who made the comment you quoted, answered the question & was referring to the clueless breakdown mechanic who came out, NOT the poster of the question!

Then I sned my heart felt aploigies to the poster on the end of my very wrong tongue lashing

BUT, I can't get over the fact.

I'm a DUDE.

Yo bro I'm a dude

luv it...lol

Haliwt the dude

that will do me.....................

Are you a Yank by any chance

For the benefit of anyone else wanting to carry out this procedure on their own car here are a few shots.

The glow plugs are under the black plastic "rocker cover". I found this the most difficult part of the job - getting it out of the way. Once you get the rocker cover off the glowplugs can be seen buried under the cam shafts.

You need to use a very thin but long 8mm socket to loosen the plugs and then fish them out with long nose pliers.

All in all a very simple job - the most difficult part is actually getting access to them.

Glow plugs for the BKD engine are NGK YE14 (4.4v) M8.