103kw t5.2 frozen fuel(?) broken down -8c

[Foxpuppet]

Ok so this morning on the second day of our snow trip it was around -8c outside, I warmed the engine for 20 minutes before driving got around 10 km and then this happened... The engine suddenly shut down to low power and the mfd flashed a warning "engine fault workshop" and the glow plug light came back on.
Vw assist sent nrma who tried to get it going with aerostart. He asked where i got my fuel... Around goulbourn. He recommended filling with diesel here in Jindy as it's a winter mix (?) and i am currently sitting in the van at -4c waiting for the sun to warm the engine/injection lines. Temp here should reach Around 9c. His idea is to wait a few hours for it to warm up then try again, otherwise it's a tow to nearest dealer (?) he did connect canbus module and reset engine warning off the system.
any ideas? Help or advice welcome it's kinda cold!! And I have nothing but time!

[gldgti]

Yeah mate, at -8C the normal Diesel from Goulburn wont work properly. Winter diesel (Which is only local to the snow country in Australia really) is lighter, more like kerosene and works much better in the cold.

We had this problem on holidays last year in tassie - went camping in May at Ben Lomond just below the tree line, car wouldnt start in the morning because the fuel had gone solid. Couple of hours in the sun and it was fine.

[Foxpuppet]

So once it thaws out can I put some kind of additive in to prevent it tomorrow? We are here for another 6 days so it will probably be an issue. I still have 3/4 of a tank ( never thought tdi economy would be a bad thing) so simply filling up with alpine mix may not be enough.

[Transporter]

Just get some suitable diesel additive (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WURTH-WIN...-/170572912304 ) and top up with alpine diesel and you should be OK.

[Foxpuppet]

If I choose the buy it now option do you reckon I could get it today haha thanks transporter, when I get back up and running I'll go to the servo in town and see if they have any or maybe somewhere in cooma.

Now warm up dammit! Still -4c and my drinks are frozen!

[Transporter]

Well, I posted that link as an example for you, so you know what additive you shuld buy and what it does. Go to the first good automotive parts store like Repco and get any reputable brand additive and it should do the job.

Is the picture showing where you're stuck, mate?

[Foxpuppet]

Yes that is indeed where the van stopped and still is... Along with me. That is lake jindabyne in the background, just a few km past alpine way turnoff on kosciusko rd.

battery is now dead, waiting for 3rd nrma visit now. At least it's warmed up... At least 10c now.

Can this diesel problem cause any long term damage? Most people I have read about over the last few hours ( at least I have 3G service) simply warm it up an carry on.

[stickshift3000]

I hope you packed a fishing rod....

I'me sure it will be fine when the tank warms up.

[hippyhippy]

I'm heading to jindy in a couple of weeks. I better plan my trip so I get a low tank once u reach jindy

[The_Hawk]

We keep on thinking about heading up to the snow and this is something I didn't even stop to consider!

Is there any signs or warnings on the way up about diesel??


(On a side note, is there any danger/detriment to running Alpine blend (or the additives) in the city? From the point of view of adding the appropriate buts before you head out.

[Transporter]

Yes that is indeed where the van stopped and still is... Along with me. That is lake jindabyne in the background, just a few km past alpine way turnoff on kosciusko rd.

battery is now dead, waiting for 3rd nrma visit now. At least it's warmed up... At least 10c now.

Can this diesel problem cause any long term damage? Most people I have read about over the last few hours ( at least I have 3G service) simply warm it up an carry on.

No longterm damage, only inconvenience.

(On a side note, is there any danger/detriment to running Alpine blend (or the additives) in the city? From the point of view of adding the appropriate buts before you head out.

You can use it in the city no problems.

[dazag]

I wonder if you could get your hands on some aviation turbine fuel ( basically high grade cut kero/deisel that has FFI additive that stops freezing ) and top the tank up with that??
Transporter - do you think that would work??
I know some guys who run it with a 50/50 mix with diesel and have no problems, but that's in some vehicles that run older engines, not sure how that will go with new CR engines that had DPF etc.

[Transporter]

When I was mechanic in the army we used kerosene in the winter diesel to keep it from freezing, it was quite effective right up to -30C, but that was in 1980, different technology then.

I would just use the winter diesel additive in whatever diesel engine you have today and fill up where you holidaying.

[Sharkie]

I'm coming to Thredbo in September in the MV, so based on your experience, plan to drive into Jindabyne almost empty and fill up there.

Look at the bright side .... a least you've now helped a few fellow T5 owners out. I also would not have even thought about this problem before setting off.

As a bonus I'll be able to attend the German Autofest in Canberra on the 18th .....

[Transporter]

To those who travel to the snow for the first time, remember to use antifreeze windscreen washer, available from the dealer as ordinary windscreen washer fluid or just a water may freeze while you drive since the wind chill effect. Also box of matches or cigarette lighter could be handy if your door locks would be frozen, for heating up the key, and windscreen scraper for the ice.