[SpamCop-Social] Re: Car stuff!

[Borgholio]

Sylvesterthekat wrote:
> Pete Stephenson <pete+usenet at heypete.com> wrote in news:pete+usenet-
> 7AB2F6.15375508092005 at news.cesmail.net:
> 
> 
>>>glow plugs? eh wot? must be a diesel thing! 
>>
>>Yup. In gasoline-powered cars, the fuel/air mixture is ignited by the 
>>sparkplug. In a diesel, the air is compressed to very high pressures 
>>(22:1), which heat it up. The fuel is then injected, and ignites on 
>>contact with the hot air. When the engine is cold, sometimes the starter 
>>motor cannot deliver enough compression to heat the air. The glow plugs 
>>are small heaters in each cylinder which warm the air up to an 
>>appropriate temperature. Usually it takes about 3-4 seconds for the 
>>plugs to heat up to the right temperature, after which the "wait" light 
>>turns off, and one can start the engine normally.
>>
> 
> 
> ooooooh, I seeeeee. I wonder how long it takes in really cold places (like 
> Maine in winter!). I seem to recall seeing 'winter diesel' on sale in 
> England too, I assume they must change the fuel somehow to cope with the 
> cold weather.

For my very first car, I test-drove a couple diesels.  The glow plugs on an 
80's VW Rabbit took about 6 seconds or so even in SoCal.  I know they can 
take much longer in cold weather.