Gringo Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 I apologize for a silly question, but I have never owned either a diesel vehicle, nor a UK built automobile before. (I have owned a bunch of Brit motorcycles, but thats different.) I had always assumed that one of the nice little side benefits of driving a manual transmission was that I could push-start a vehicle with a dead battery by rolling it down a hill etc. with the ignition on and popping the clutch in 2nd gear at about 10 mph or so. I have had a number of 4x4's that would do exactly that. My samurai will. But those were all gasoline ( petrol), and now I have a diesel and no experience with such. I was re-educated by one of my last motorcycles, a Honda 650 Nighthawk. It does not have a kick starter, its an electric start only. I found out that if the battery is dead, the engine cannot be push started. The electronic ignition needs battery juice to function. No battery, no spark. So my question is, can you push start a 300 Tdi with a manual transmission if the battery is dead? I know its a dumb question, but I dont have the manual for it, and would like to know these things before rolling off down a steep hill expecting to be up and running before reaching the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Yes but you need to push it bluddy fast is the answer! If the battery has enough life in it to light up the dash lights then it will hold the fuel solenoid in OK, but if it doesn't, then you need to get the engine spinning fast enough for the alternator to wake up and provide some electricity - and bear in mind it is also feeding a dead battery too. You would never really push start it - bump starting on a reasonable hill is possible (you'll probably need 10-15mph before you let the clutch out), as is a tow start. It isn't something to attempt in your driveway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Pah. If the engine is healthy then it'll start fine - you need a lardy mate or a very slight slope. At Uni when I was too poor to buy a new starter, I'd park facing out of a space in a car park with a slight rise on it - open the door, heave ho and get up a fast walking pace before diving in, knocking it into 2nd and the 300Tdi would burst into life. Can't say I've done it so much since I went auto though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 When I had a poor battery on my old Series I could bump start it by my self on flat ground with my feet out of the door pushing along flintstones style, It would start within one car length Lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyoldgit Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 When I were a lad we luxuries such as starting handles.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ101 Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 When I were a lad we luxuries such as starting handles.... Cause in those days, they did not have starter motors oh the luxuries of the vehicles built today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gringo Posted June 28, 2007 Author Share Posted June 28, 2007 Next you are going to tell me that Step one is to build up a nice fire under the boiler.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSi110 Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Nope. Setting light to the wife is strictly optional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 I've push started my 90 a couple of times, due to a flat battery (due to a dead alternator, but thats a different story). A PP3 9v battery will hold the solenoid open, if push comes to shove (pun intended). As has been said before, a slight gradient, or a couple of mates, and off you go. 2nd gear is the one to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 Yep, no probs at all. The disco has suffered duff battery for past few weeks and I have had to bum it many times. Best was in a carpark, in reverse with about 8 feet of room to play with. She fired up and I managed to stop it before hitting the next parked car! I find the tdi to be one of the easiest starting motors I've ever had in a vehicle whether petrol or diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastcard Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 The disco has suffered duff battery for past few weeks and I have had to bum it many times. You farmers, just can't help yourselves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Divster Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 You farmers, just can't help yourselves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gringo Posted June 28, 2007 Author Share Posted June 28, 2007 You farmers, just can't help yourselves! I was not going to be the one to mention backing up to strange vehicles in parking lots to get bumped....me being new here, and all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 :lol: DOH that will teach me not to read through my posts :blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderman Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 you need a lardy mate Ive got one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesel_jim Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 You don't know how lucky you are... when i "was a lad", we didn't have engines, had to push the cars along... none of these fangled internal cumbustion engine thingies... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gringo Posted June 28, 2007 Author Share Posted June 28, 2007 You don't know how lucky you are...when i "was a lad", we didn't have engines, had to push the cars along... none of these fangled internal cumbustion engine thingies... Oh, the way you guys talk...pshaw. I probably got Levi's older than you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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