Cold start problems with TDI's is a fuel delivery problem, not a oil problem.
Block heaters essentially keep the engine oil warm, to prevent it from gelling in cold weather. Modern synthetics, which is an engine requirement for a TDI, do not require the block heater as we don't get cold enough here for the oil to 'gel' or thicken.
On a TDI engine now, you want a coolant re circulator/heater. It keeps the entire engine warm, including the combustion chambers, which promote better combustion due to compression as you probably know, your TDI engine, has no spark plugs/ignition system. Diesel doesn't ignite well when the combustion chamber is freezing, even with the help of the glow plugs.
I have gasoline powered VW's, and have driven them for 15 years. I have always run synthetic oil in them, and I have not plugged one in ever, in 15 years. And I have never had a no-start situation. Diesels however, they are routinely stuck in a no-start mode on our lot, once the temperature drops below -20.
So in conclusion, it is a fuel issue, not an oil issue, and as Jaydorn found out, the re circulator is the ticket.
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