dag019

dag019

Well-Known Member
With the cold weather my 200tdi is become a little lazier to start that it was before (require a couple of revolutions rather than starting literally immediately!). I have never change the glow plugs in it so they are at least 10 years old and most likely much older. For the easy and cost of replacement I thought it was probably worth doing, I am about to do the ones in the series (which definitely needs them) anyway so may as well do both at the same time. the aprt number for 200tdi appear to be ETC8847 (please correct me if I am wrong). My question is about the different makes and brands. Paddock who I usually use for parts have unbranded (guessing britpart) or delphi but both are listed as quality aftermarket. LRdirect has the delphi part listed as Original Equimpment.
My preference is for OEM for things like this, can anyone confirm if delphi are oem or suggest another brand of good quality plugs?
 
Go for branded every time, Delphi/Bosch/Beru Get engine hot before pulling them out with a touch of copper slip
On the thread before putting them back,
 
The £3.10 ones you mention work well for me. I could only get three out and it starts ok.
 
The set I fitted were 12 quid Iirc? and have been fine, must be 5 odd years now.
Doddle to do, but them little nuts are tiny and fiddly.
 
To be honest I have no idea wether the glows on my 200Tdi work or not, certainly when the temps are -5 or so she has to turn a couple of times before a start, but always does start. Should I worry ?
 
I have had it once many years ago when the diesel started to wax and it took some starting, I am sure the glow plugs helped so its worth making sure they do work just for that once you might need them and yours or someone elses life depends on it, after all its cheap enough.
 
lynall said:
I have had it once many years ago when the diesel started to wax and it took some starting, I am sure the glow plugs helped so its worth making sure they do work just for that once you might need them and yours or someone elses life depends on it, after all its cheap enough.
Click to expand...
That is my reasoning. It is a cheap easy job to do and one of the few jobs I have not done in my ownership.

Al2O3 said:
How old is your battery?
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The battery is possible coming up for needing replacing (depending on who you ask) it is about 5 year old but is a large battery (110ah, 990cca) and still spins it over quickly even in the cold. I am also not sure if the timing is 100% spot on after having the belt snap twice at Easter time! Having rebuilt the top end (twice) it runs happily, but possible seems a tad down on power and a little down on mpg. But it is hard to say as I have done 20k since then without issue and unless the starting become very laboured I will just wait another 30k and do it when I next replace the belt.
 
glow plugs on a 200tdi in the UK climate are for show ! I honestly don't think you need them. I've not on mine ever, just starts instantly.

Which tells me it's another problem
 
dag019 said:
That is my reasoning. It is a cheap easy job to do and one of the few jobs I have not done in my ownership.


The battery is possible coming up for needing replacing (depending on who you ask) it is about 5 year old but is a large battery (110ah, 990cca) and still spins it over quickly even in the cold. I am also not sure if the timing is 100% spot on after having the belt snap twice at Easter time! Having rebuilt the top end (twice) it runs happily, but possible seems a tad down on power and a little down on mpg. But it is hard to say as I have done 20k since then without issue and unless the starting become very laboured I will just wait another 30k and do it when I next replace the belt.
Click to expand...


If timing is retarded that will make starting harder, does not take to much retard and you start to get white smoke form unburnt diesel.
 
windy81 said:
I guess if you're in -10C or less then it might be required, but even in -10C my 200tdi starts on the button. I've never known another diesel to start so well
Click to expand...
My Major currently starts just as well as I would expect (not how it currently is) my 200tdi to start, that doesn't have glow plugs and is from the 50's!

lynall said:
If timing is retarded that will make starting harder, does not take to much retard and you start to get white smoke form unburnt diesel.
Click to expand...

there is no smoke when running, currently a bit of white on start up where it has to crank over several times before firing but I would expect that. once that clears it is fine. It is also only a problem on the first start of the day (if it is cold) starts after it has run or first start later in the day after it has warmed up a little are not a problem, which is what was pointing me to glow plugs. I do not think it is a fueling issue (needeing to re prime the system) as if the first start is later in the day when things are a little warmer there is no problem.
 
I wonder if it's possible that an engine that has sat all night has a fraction less compression before the oil starts pumping and lubricating the piston bores? It would just be a small amount. I don't even have the glowplug timer circuit in my conversion, it just starts in less than a second. Maybe if you lived in the highlands it would be different. The engine was designed to work almost anywhere in the world, the temperate climate we have should be well within it's capabilities.
 
Sounds like battery is starting to struggle.
BIG new battery will probably get it starting on the first kick again.
 
I decided to change mine on a 200tdi engine I had bought and one snapped off leaving the tip in head resulted in head off leading to a full strip down I didn’t have the option of a hot engine at that time
 
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