Hi,

My 2002 Focus 1.8 TDCi is becoming increasingly difficult to start with the cold weather. The symptoms are:

The problem is worse when the weather is cold (it is always worse in the morning than in the evening for example). The colder the weather, the harder it is to start. When it is mild the car starts first time without any problems.

Usually, unless it is very cold (i.e. below freezing) the car initially seems to start fine, runs for 2 or 3 seconds, and then stalls. Could this mean it is not getting enough fuel? When it is very cold on the first crank it usually just turns over, coughs and never quite catches. I've tried using the glow plugs for three attempts of ten seconds apiece, and whilst this appears to improve things, it will occasionally still stall.

The car has done 95k, original glow plugs, DMF and starter motor were replaced at about 70k. There is none of the clunking/crunching that occurred when the DMF was giving up. Battery is approximately 2-3 years old.

The cold weather is making me think glow plugs or waxing of the fuel (does this still occur?), however the fact it initially seems to start and then stalls makes me think it is a fuelling issue (perhaps an air leak?).

I have been using the accelerator to keep the revs at about 1000-1200rpm as soon as it starts to stop it from automatically stalling itself, which I believe occurs at about 700rpm, am I likely to cause any harm doing this (thinking lack of lubrication around the turbo bearings when first started), or am I being paranoid?

Many thanks.