cold starting problems

stone056 · Feb 12, 2013

hello all,

having problems starting my disco first thing in the morning
replaced battery with a more meaty one, no change
replaced fuel leak off pipes (suspected air getting in), no change
replaced fuel filter, no change

it seems to start easily when jump started of a tiny 1.2 fiesta after I have tried cranking it over a few times on its own battery and it is starting to die.

could air still be getting into the system from the lift pump or something?

once started it re starts no problem, just first thing in the morning, maybe its the temperature or length of time left?

biolandy · Feb 12, 2013

Glow plugs

basher79 · Feb 12, 2013

as above

stone056 · Feb 13, 2013

not done that before are they easy to replace?

tombardier · Feb 13, 2013

Easy to replace if you don't snap them off in the head

andyt12 · Feb 13, 2013

allow the glow plugs to heat up 2 or 3 times before trying to turn the engine over, it works for me.

KiwiTDI · Feb 13, 2013

Also, after the glow plug light on the dash goes try counting to 5 secs before starting it as the light goes out before the power to the glow plugs shuts off, at least it does on mine anyway.....

MPfive · Feb 13, 2013

Check all your earths are good and clean aswell.

cold comfort farm · Feb 13, 2013

Hi I have had the same problem and been chasing ghosts. I pulled the glow plugs out and checked every one and all looked fine. you will need an 8mm spanner / socket and a long / deep 10mm socket. It will take you a few mins each. For the sake of 10 pounds change them.
At the same time I filled my fuel filter with SEAFOAM http://www.seafoamsales.com/ get it on ebay.
it now starts very well. I am leaving it all week and then going to it again this weekend to see if it starts ok.

for £30 its worth a punt. Also check your lift pump. Unscrew the banjo on the filter and crank it over, you should get lots of fuel spurting out. I also replaced this as the old one looked crappy. Dont hand pump it as if the engine is in the wrong position it will look like the lift pump has failed.

stone056 · Feb 13, 2013

is it worth giving them a good spray with WD40 to ease loosening them before I go for it with the 10mm socket?

Jonnytd4 · Feb 13, 2013

Plusgas is muchos better than wd40

stone056 · Feb 13, 2013

is that a specialist thing?

cold comfort farm · Feb 13, 2013

It will never hurt, I use plusgas its a bit better for releasing stuff. Mine came out without any effort. Remove the 8mm bolt holding the black swirl pot together and pull it out of the way. Keep everything clean, you dont want dirt going down the holes.
I got my glowplugs from ebay

Let us know how you get on.

plastic soul · Feb 13, 2013

Mine was really bad for a few months, it turned out to be cam belt almost a tooth out, had blue smoke and chug chug mornings. now spot on first time.

worth checking sedimenter, unscrew top bolt and check for sludge!!

stone056 · Feb 18, 2013

changed the glow plugs, much better now. thanks for your advice. there was a lot of oil around the breather though that I took off to get to the plugs

cold comfort farm · Feb 18, 2013

Glad we could all help. I find it amazing how we will change spark plugs at a service but not glow plugs. Mine will get changed at least once a year now regardless of how it starts.

cold starting problems

stone056

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biolandy

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basher79

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stone056

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tombardier

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andyt12

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KiwiTDI

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MPfive

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cold comfort farm

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stone056

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stone056

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