Seeking Advice on Troubleshooting 2011 Hyundai i10 Diesel Pre-Glow Light, Poor Fuel Economy and Startup Issues

Hey! I feel your pain. I had a similar hassle with my 2009 Hyundai i20 Diesel a couple of years back. I've got some experience, not an expert, but I like to tinker with cars. So when my ride pulled the same tricks, I headed straight to my local workshop. Turns out, you're on the right track – my glow plug was defective due to wear, causing similar symptoms. We replaced the faulty ones and that did the trick. Cost me 560 Euro, but it was worth the fix. What's the mileage on your car? And have you done any major servicing, particularly on the engine or the exhaust system? This info could help me give you a bit more detailed advice. Hang in there.

Great to hear from you thanks for all the info! So my i10's clocked about 71058 kilometers so far. It had a major service done under a year ago, but nothing too particular to the engine or exhaust system. Maybe the recent cold spell has taken a toll on the glow plug, huh? Anyway, I'd love to hear more about your experience and any other tips you've got for me. Cheers!

You bet! With that mileage and recent service, we're still likely looking at a glow plug issue, especially considering your symptoms and the cold weather. The glow plugs are vital for starting your diesel engine, and if one or more of them is failing, it can definitely lead to problems like you're having: difficulty starting, especially in cold weather, and black smoke because the fuel isn't being completely combusted. In my case, after replacing the glow plugs, I took some extra steps to ensure my engine's health. I started using diesel fuel additives that could help clean the engine and the fuel system. Happily, they also aid in getting a smoother ride and slightly improving fuel economy! If your DPF isn't regenerating properly, it could be due to soot build-up which could also lead to black smoke. In my Hyundai i20 Diesel, I had the garage take a look and do a forced regeneration, which helped hilariously to clear it out. It was another small cost but, again, totally worth it for the health of my ride. Remember, I'm not a professional mechanic, so always good to involve a trusted one. But, using my experience, I bet the glow plug swap could be an excellent starting point for getting your i10 back on track. Keep me updated with your news, and fingers crossed things improve! Cheers!

you're a lifesaver! Your detailed advice gives me a good starting point. It sounds like I need to get those glow plugs replaced as you suggested, then look into diesel fuel additives that could help with the engine and fuel system. I'll also have the garage see if a forced regeneration will sort out the DPF issue. And definitely, I'd love a smoother ride and improved fuel economy any day! I'll keep you posted as I make progress and definitely considering everything you've shared. Thanks again for being here to help fingers crossed for me too. Ride out! Cheers!