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It's winter - first snow

malcolm

malcolm

& Clementine the Cat
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Location
Bedford UK
We had our first snowfall of the year last night. It's looking cold and white out there.

My poor Renault doesn't like cold weather. Or at least it didn't, then I realised I'd forgotton to change the air intake hose over to the winter setting. The end of the hose needs to be connected to the attachment on the exhaust manifold. Ermintrude the Renault runs sweetly now. I can't believe how much difference it makes.

I also fitted a set of winter tyres left over from a trip last year. They are great - 145 profile with meaty 15mm tread. Should be set for the winter now.

:D
 
I drove down from Ullapool in deepest Scotland last night. They have some rather impressive snow up there although it didn't hamper my progress too much....
 
Ullapool is a long way in bad weather - wouldn't have fancied that trip.

I thought I was organised this morning, went out to the Renault and found my door had frozen shut.
 
Frozen doors are usual. The rubber sticks to the frame - thank your lucky stars that it was not frozen whilst you were IN the car :lol:

Just smear a very thin film of vaseline on the rubber and a good dose of engine oil forced in the door lock. Happened to me once, but the next four winters I had no problems.

Steve
 
Hi Malcolm

yous said above.... The end of the hose needs to be connected to the attachment on the exhaust manifold...

Whats that about?. I have twisited the air intake so it points forward but what all thos about connecting it to the exhaust manifold?

I have just moved close to the Alps and yes Cristine doesnt like cold weather either and it hasnt got really cold yet.

Whats your advice about Snow tires? or snow chaines?

Cheers

Phil
 
Hello Phil, maybe I can help. You may have a sleeve around the exhaust-pipe just after the manifold to slide a flexi pipe over, if not, not to worry. Obtain a flexible pipe that fits the inlet of the air filter, it needs to be approx 35cm long, use pipe clip to fasten. Then attach the other end to the cross-member that goes across the engine compartment with cable-ties. Don't let the pipe touch the exhaust-pipe, but get it as close as you can. Now you should be getting warmed air to the air-filter. Hope this helps, cheers Brian.
PS. Can't help you with advice on snow tyres and chains, not a lot of snow in Cornwall, but I guess some of our forum friends will be able to help you who live in colder climes.
 
Hi Phil, for that region it will be worth getting four spare wheels had having them fitted with winter tyres so you can change them over easily when the season comes. You'll be amazed what a difference winter tyres make if there's a little snow on the ground.

Chains are only useful on roads which aren't cleared regularly, so you might need them if you drive on smaller roads in winter. Particularly if you're planning on driving up to ski, you will need chains!
 
Hi Chaps

I will have a go and see if there are any photos of the air filter tube thingy, i seem to remember a photo somehwere.

Cornish: Am I right then in thinking that when it is connected the openning will be pointing forward and the tube will be straight when fitted? About the length of a forearm and about the same diameter? or diameter the size of a squash ball?

As regards the tires over chains I have been haveing a look at tires. €40 a pop.

So I guess I will need to get the old ones taken off the hubs and the new ones put on if I go that route. Is that correct?

Not too clued up on all this tire business.

Cheers

Phil

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Yes Im taking Cristine up into the mountains to go snow shoeing. So I might need chains instead.
 
Hello Phil, the pipe is approx 50mm inside diameter, and available from suppliers of VW air-cooled engine spares. VW Heritage or Just Kampers are two good suppliers I can recommend. Here are a couple of photos, one showing the sleeve on the exhaust pipe, the other showing the air filter on winter setting. The bracket on the inner wing is for summer setting. On the subject of snow chains I believe you have to be careful using some chains with radial tyres.
Just a thought, you should be able to find one of these sleeves at a breakers yard as you are in France.
 
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Cold Air

Brilliant Cornish,

That explains a lot.

So the air on the winter setting is actually sucked in, around the pipe. makes perfect sense.

I have never seen anything like this but that looks easy to do.

Just have to fine the pice now.

Looks a little specific but I am on the hunt.

I assume that the pipe is a special heat resistant pipe.

Cheers

Sprackers.
 
No it's not special heat resistant pipe Phil, just make sure it's not actually touching the exhaust pipe. Yes it's just warmed air that passes through it.
 
Starting problems due to cold weather - perhaps.

Hi,

I am sure everyone has had this problem ......well maybe.


I know the cold weather will always hamper the starting off Cristine, but recently (since the "cold" (5ºC but dry) weather has arrived) the starting her up is....how can I say....laboured and actually sounds painful.

Am I doing some damage here, I think to myself.

When I turn the ignition key, it turns over once every second.....instead of say 5 times every second.

After 5 mins ( and three or four attempts) I eventually get her up and running (just) and we are away.

After I take her out for a run then stop the engine and re-start by turning the ignition key, it turns over 5 times a second and immediatly she starts. Perfect.

Leave it over-night and the next day the same. Turn the ignition key and it turns over once every second.

My question is:

1. Is this perfectly normal?
2. Is there something that needs looking at and replacing?

Cheers

Phil
 
Sounds like a weak battery to me.
I cannot really speak of experience as my F6 sits in a garage all the time, but usually the temperature has no influence on how fast the starter turns the engine.
5 times a second sounds quite normal to me. Shouldn't be less though.
 
Cheers David.....if its just the battery im happy. But after a long run shouldnt the battery have enough juice in it for a week or so?
 
I would hook a charger to the battery, leave it for the night and see how the car starts in the morning.
If it still struggles to start then it's probably something else.
If it starts right away then it's the battery.

Old or faulty batteries usually fail in low temperatures.
The amount of charging (i.e. driving around) does not help much.
Did you check the acid level of the battery cells?
 
Too thick engine oil (even 20W-50 can be too thick in such temperatures) can also cause this.
 
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