Winter Is Coming....

[OldRaver]

Just had the trusty Rav serviced by Mr. T - big service, all filters etc. changed. No problems reported. About 83K on the clock. Have had a niggling concern about cold weather starting. Last year was difficult with the exceptional winter conditions but as long as the Battery was given the odd trickle charge the Rav would fire up but it always took a few cranks to make it fire. First coldish snap here this morning and the engine took longer than normal to fire up. This vehicle has a comprehensive service history but as far as I can tell the glow plugs are original. I have a mate with a Hilux Surf that is older and it fires in any weather at the first turn of the key. Which has had me thinking the Rav ain't quite right. So the question is assuming that there aren't any issues should I replace the Yuasa Battery before winter strikes or the glowplugs or may be even both items?

What brand of glowplugs would you recommend and also what make of Battery? I suspect the Yuasa isn't really man enough for the diesel Rav in cold weather. Thanks.

[Mistermena]

Just had the trusty Rav serviced by Mr. T - big service, all filters etc. changed. No problems reported. About 83K on the clock. Have had a niggling concern about cold weather starting. Last year was difficult with the exceptional winter conditions but as long as the battery was given the odd trickle charge the Rav would fire up but it always took a few cranks to make it fire. First coldish snap here this morning and the engine took longer than normal to fire up. This vehicle has a comprehensive service history but as far as I can tell the glow plugs are original. I have a mate with a Hilux Surf that is older and it fires in any weather at the first turn of the key. Which has had me thinking the Rav ain't quite right. So the question is assuming that there aren't any issues should I replace the Yuasa battery before winter strikes or the glowplugs or may be even both items?

What brand of glowplugs would you recommend and also what make of battery? I suspect the Yuasa isn't really man enough for the diesel Rav in cold weather. Thanks.

Denso or NGK glow plugs and EXIDE batteries as they've won the Auto Express shoot outs! Thats the Battery I've got on my Polo and it never fails to start. Has a 4 year warranty to. Or if you've gotta Costco card you can get some good deals on Bosch ones.

[crofter]

Hi,Rich.

An indication of a faulty glow plug/plugs is very uneven running for a short while when the engine starts.

As you have not said this is the case,I would have the Battery tested first.

Del

[OldRaver]

Hi Mistermena and Crofter - thanks for the replies. I'll start with the Battery. Any idea what rating I should go for? Can't see any info on the Yuasa.

Rich

[CharlieFarlie]

Hi Mistermena and Crofter - thanks for the replies. I'll start with the battery. Any idea what rating I should go for? Can't see any info on the Yuasa.

Rich

I would fit the most powerfull Battery that will fit in the slot !! A Battery can be to small it cant be to big !

Wee Charlie.

[OldRaver]

Yep - I'd go with that but can you have a Battery that is too powerful?

[OldRaver]

Hi,Rich.

An indication of a faulty glow plug/plugs is very uneven running for a short while when the engine starts.

As you have not said this is the case,I would have the battery tested first.

Del

Sorry Del, meant to say that the Rav seems to run very sweetly once started - just noisy when cold like most diesel Ravs (I believe)

[CharlieFarlie]

Yep - I'd go with that but can you have a battery that is too powerful?

No Mate. Its still 12 volt. It just means it will have a lot more in reserve..HTH

Wee Charlie.

[OldRaver]

OK Wee Charlie, thanks for that. I'll see which Exide Battery I can find that has the biggest Ah rating and will fit into the Battery space.

[CharlieFarlie]

Here is a link to a Battery supplier who is absolutely brilliant !! The link is for a Battery for My Ski but it will take You to the supplier....

They do all makes of batteries at great prices and delivery is free..

Worth an Email to find out ? I believe Their phone number is in Contact details so might be worth a call so You can explain exactly what You want !

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300426961559?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_2800wt_932

Edit.. Contact number is FREEPHONE 0800 310 2100

Wee Charlie.

[Mistermena]

Just had a look on ECP web site and it looks like its £88.74 including postage for a EXIDE for your motor if I've got the right Battery. But I'd shop about and then contact them back as they always drop the price if you haggle!

http://www.eurocarpa...com/car-battery

[crofter]

Call me old fashioned but there are certain items I would only buy from local specialist suppliers even if I have to pay a few £s more.

The last Battery I bought locally began to show signs of distress at a few days off the end of the warranty.

After a quick trip to the shop clutching my receipt,and a Battery test later,it was changed for me without hesitation and I was on my merry way.

I do buy on the net,but what would have happened if I bought long distance in that case?

Just my way of thinking folks,not saying that any other way is wrong.

Del

[Mistermena]

Call me old fashioned but there are certain items I would only buy from local specialist suppliers even if I have to pay a few £s more.

The last battery I bought locally began to show signs of distress at a few days off the end of the warranty.

After a quick trip to the shop clutching my receipt,and a battery test later,it was changed for me without hesitation and I was on my merry way.

I do buy on the net,but what would have happened if I bought long distance in that case?

Just my way of thinking folks,not saying that any other way is wrong.

Del

ECP have local branches all over the country, so not a problem if there was a issue as you can always take it back. But I do understand your point.

[crofter]

Call me old fashioned but there are certain items I would only buy from local specialist suppliers even if I have to pay a few £s more.

The last battery I bought locally began to show signs of distress at a few days off the end of the warranty.

After a quick trip to the shop clutching my receipt,and a battery test later,it was changed for me without hesitation and I was on my merry way.

I do buy on the net,but what would have happened if I bought long distance in that case?

Just my way of thinking folks,not saying that any other way is wrong.

Del

ECP have local branches all over the country, so not a problem if there was a issue as you can always take it back. But I do understand your point.

Thanks for the quick reply.

I have visited and bought from the branch local to me in the past.

A good range of products they stock too.

In the case of my Battery purchase.the company was closer to me and I have used them in work related replacements,in the dim and distant past,on trucks and earth moving equipment.

All they sell is Battery related from watches up!

I am just lucky,I guess,that they are there,really,and so handy

Del

[igormus]

Just had the trusty Rav serviced by Mr. T - big service, all filters etc. changed. No problems reported. About 83K on the clock. Have had a niggling concern about cold weather starting. Last year was difficult with the exceptional winter conditions but as long as the battery was given the odd trickle charge the Rav would fire up but it always took a few cranks to make it fire. First coldish snap here this morning and the engine took longer than normal to fire up. This vehicle has a comprehensive service history but as far as I can tell the glow plugs are original. I have a mate with a Hilux Surf that is older and it fires in any weather at the first turn of the key. Which has had me thinking the Rav ain't quite right. So the question is assuming that there aren't any issues should I replace the Yuasa battery before winter strikes or the glowplugs or may be even both items?

What brand of glowplugs would you recommend and also what make of battery? I suspect the Yuasa isn't really man enough for the diesel Rav in cold weather. Thanks.

hello mate

the issue is poor starting up.

this issue might be surrounded from several other issues:

if your engine is cranked well then i do not consider the Battery is faulty, but glow plugs electro contacts; internal resistance; plugs control relay contacts. Do not forget to test an alternator on an iddle run outcome voltage. Cheers/Igor

[OldRaver]

Thanks Igor, as always your advice is very welcome. I'm sure there is a thread about problems with cold starting. Can anyone point me to it please?

[igormus]

Thanks Igor, as always your advice is very welcome. I'm sure there is a thread about problems with cold starting. Can anyone point me to it please?

hello agan

I suppose you'll be pointed shortly.

good luck with trials

Cheers/Igor

[crofter]

Have you been able to get the Battery checked ?

The details you have supplied are open to misinterpretation,hence the varied suggestions that have been forwarded.

Everyone is keen to help other members that have a problem.

Del

[CharlieFarlie]

I would suggest getting the Battery load tested before worrying about any of the other possibilities...

Wee Charlie.

[OldRaver]

Thanks again Battery is around 12v with the engine off and around 14v at tickover I used a Multimeter as recommended - but haven't had a load test done on it yet.