For the first time in the two years I've had my Townace, I had a problem getting it going yesterday morning (cold but frost had cleared). This morning it started but not immediately as is the norm (no frost but damp). It took a good 5/6 seconds but it did fire on the first cycle.
Yes it's ready for a service but I'm not hanging my hat on that being the problem. Neither do I want to jump to expensive conclusions and blame the glow plugs ( I usually wait a few more seconds after the light goes out before firing the ignition, at this time of year). Anyone had a similar problem and care to share their experiences?
Thanks
Ian - (#1515) Ian Dunse, 28 Nov 01
Ian,
I, too, notice that starting in this cooler weather, is slightly delayed. I think that I am too used to a starting procedure that makes the engine fire almost before the key is turned and this may be clouding my judgement. Could it be that there is some sluggishness in the fuel/feed/ injection system when everything is much colder ?
Do you remember these symptoms during last winter ? I have only had my Masterace for six months so am assuming that this is normal. - (#1516) John Davis, 28 Nov 01
John
It's noticeable to have to spin the engine a bit longer before it fires, in colder weather. However, yesterday was extreme, I almost had to catch a bus God forbid! The experience was comparable with a badly timed petrol engine that fails to spark and then compounding the problem by flooding it. After several 5/6 second spins of the starter without a fire, I could smell diesel and the battery was beginning to tire. I left it for about 5 minutes, went back to it and it finally fired after a long spin on the starter. Rather disconcerting as you say, after being used to an instant start everytime.
Ian - (#1517) Ian Dunse, 28 Nov 01
Don't wish to be a prophet of doom& gloom, but that'll be either glowplugs or compression.
Check for a voltage to the plugs- 12v(actually about 11v) followed by postheat after starting at around 8v.
If the glowplugs are getting a feed, valve clearances are a possibility- they close as the head cools, or the injection pump isn't advancing(check the actuator on the side of the pump. - (#1518) david miller, 28 Nov 01
the filter to the injection pump could be clogged up...the fuel when it gets to a certian temp thickens up a bit so when u fire the motor up it takes that little extra to get them plugs to glow..if motor running great through summer this is the prob..not to forget that the celonoied might be getting on a bit....... - (#1519) granty, 28 Nov 01
Can you turn the ignition off and then back on straight away after the glow plug light goes out and give the plugs an extra long heat. Never had to tried it myself but this might help determine if its the glow plugs. - (#1520) stephen judge, 28 Nov 01
that the glow light stays on for longer the colder it gets - it still starts on the 1st turn - (#1522) skippy, 28 Nov 01
Thanks for all the responses. Just as I thought - no straight answer could be one of a number of things. Actually it's back to normal now as the weather has warmed upa bit. I'm going to replace all filters etc next week and will check the glow plugs after that. If no noticeable improvement then I'll follow up on the other suggestions (thanks for putting the frighteners on David!).
Regards
Ian - (#1523) Ian Dunse, 29 Nov 01
Ian, not an uncommon problem with Diesels of any make or model, I have had Diesel company cars for many years now (company policy to have diesels) what you have to remember with a diesel is that it is only the rarification of the fuel, coupled with highly compressing the resulting mixture in a hot cylinder that actually makes it burn at all, in the winter all the metal is colder, the fuel is colder & therefore thicker, so needs more lifting & is more difficult for the injector to form into a mist, hence engine is more difficult to turn over & less likely to burn the fuel, as all the guys said, try the glow plugs & filters to make sure, but it could be just a diesel trait. I have 18 month old Peugeot tubo diesel company car & that can sometimes be a bit sluggish on a cold winter's morn & then will cough & splutter for the first few moments of running, so unless she really will not start, don't worry too much. P.S. check battery voltage, as she should get a good hit to the heater plugs & crank the engine quite a bit. Many years ago, before oil companies put 'anti waxing' additives in the fuel, diesel used to go almost solid on really cold mornings, to the extent that lorries used to have heating elements in the tank to stop this happening, unlike petrol which is very flammable, diesel is difficult to make burn, so if it's a bit thick you have trouble. HTH. Regards, Rob. - (#1614) Rob Drinkwater, 11 Dec 01
Rob
Thanks for the reply. Instead of jumping to conclusions I should have tested the pre-heat circuit properly. I've deduced that my problem lies with the No1 Glow plug relay. I'm now in the process of trying to source one.
Regards
Ian - (#1623) Ian Dunse, 14 Dec 01