I have an old shape 2004 Fiat Scudo 2.0 jtd van. As far as I'm aware, the glow plugs are the originals. Do they degrade like spark plugs and need replacing after a certain time, or should they last the life of the engine (95,000 miles at present)? Can they be tested?
The van starts perfectly all year apart from winter when the the temps get near or below freezing, then it can take a fair bit of turning over to kick into life. If it's really cold the battery can go flat or almost flat, before it starts. Today the battery went flat before it would start and the resting volts on battery were 12.5 after it flattened. I've got it on charge now. The battery is a heavy duty 096 Lucas calcium which is the standard size according to spec. Are diesels always a pig to start in winter - it's my first? The battery was replaced about 4 or 5 years ago.
Any help and advice appreciated.
The van starts perfectly all year apart from winter when the the temps get near or below freezing, then it can take a fair bit of turning over to kick into life. If it's really cold the battery can go flat or almost flat, before it starts. Today the battery went flat before it would start and the resting volts on battery were 12.5 after it flattened. I've got it on charge now. The battery is a heavy duty 096 Lucas calcium which is the standard size according to spec. Are diesels always a pig to start in winter - it's my first? The battery was replaced about 4 or 5 years ago.
Any help and advice appreciated.