Subaru Outback Diesel Cold Start Problems

The current cold snap has caused extreme difficulty in starting my 58 Outback from cold.

The local dealership claim no fault codes and have replaced all glowplugs without effect. They now intend checking compression, but I don't see the point as the engine runs perfectly under normal conditions, and warm starts are fine. Should they be recommending a block heater as a last-resort fix?

Asked on 19 January 2013 by John Francis

Answered by Honest John
A block heater would be an extreme solution. I wonder about the cables to the glowplugs. With flat four petrol engines (I know yours is diesel), the HT leads were particularly vulnerable in very cold, very damp conditions.
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