103kw t5.2 frozen fuel(?) broken down -8c

[Foxpuppet]

Ok so this morning on the second day of our snow trip it was around -8c outside, I warmed the engine for 20 minutes before driving got around 10 km and then this happened... The engine suddenly shut down to low power and the mfd flashed a warning "engine fault workshop" and the glow plug light came back on.
Vw assist sent nrma who tried to get it going with aerostart. He asked where i got my fuel... Around goulbourn. He recommended filling with diesel here in Jindy as it's a winter mix (?) and i am currently sitting in the van at -4c waiting for the sun to warm the engine/injection lines. Temp here should reach Around 9c. His idea is to wait a few hours for it to warm up then try again, otherwise it's a tow to nearest dealer (?) he did connect canbus module and reset engine warning off the system.
any ideas? Help or advice welcome it's kinda cold!! And I have nothing but time!

[gldgti]

Yeah mate, at -8C the normal Diesel from Goulburn wont work properly. Winter diesel (Which is only local to the snow country in Australia really) is lighter, more like kerosene and works much better in the cold.

We had this problem on holidays last year in tassie - went camping in May at Ben Lomond just below the tree line, car wouldnt start in the morning because the fuel had gone solid. Couple of hours in the sun and it was fine.

[Foxpuppet]

So once it thaws out can I put some kind of additive in to prevent it tomorrow? We are here for another 6 days so it will probably be an issue. I still have 3/4 of a tank ( never thought tdi economy would be a bad thing) so simply filling up with alpine mix may not be enough.

[Transporter]

Just get some suitable diesel additive (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WURTH-WIN...-/170572912304 ) and top up with alpine diesel and you should be OK.

[Foxpuppet]

If I choose the buy it now option do you reckon I could get it today haha thanks transporter, when I get back up and running I'll go to the servo in town and see if they have any or maybe somewhere in cooma.

Now warm up dammit! Still -4c and my drinks are frozen!

[Transporter]

Well, I posted that link as an example for you, so you know what additive you shuld buy and what it does. Go to the first good automotive parts store like Repco and get any reputable brand additive and it should do the job.

Is the picture showing where you're stuck, mate?

[Foxpuppet]

Yes that is indeed where the van stopped and still is... Along with me. That is lake jindabyne in the background, just a few km past alpine way turnoff on kosciusko rd.

battery is now dead, waiting for 3rd nrma visit now. At least it's warmed up... At least 10c now.

Can this diesel problem cause any long term damage? Most people I have read about over the last few hours ( at least I have 3G service) simply warm it up an carry on.

[stickshift3000]

I hope you packed a fishing rod....

I'me sure it will be fine when the tank warms up.

[hippyhippy]

I'm heading to jindy in a couple of weeks. I better plan my trip so I get a low tank once u reach jindy

[The_Hawk]

We keep on thinking about heading up to the snow and this is something I didn't even stop to consider!

Is there any signs or warnings on the way up about diesel??


(On a side note, is there any danger/detriment to running Alpine blend (or the additives) in the city? From the point of view of adding the appropriate buts before you head out.