Hello all. Newbie to the forums so please let me know if I violate etiquette. Thanks.
I have a 1999 110 TD5 CSW. It has 2 starting problems:
1. Sometimes the starter doesn't engage on the key.
2. When it's cold, it takes a lot of cranking before eventually chugging into life. It starts instantly when warm and is fine once running.
From reading around, I think these are unrelated. The first seems consistent with the solenoid relay problem (see e.g. this thread). If that's true then the fix seems reasonably straightforward: buy and fit the refurb kit.
The second I'm less clear on where to start. Given it's fine warm, I wonder if it's glow plugs? However it could also be fuel. It had a new fuel pump not that long ago and, when the pump comes on, there's a definite change in pitch over the first few seconds. I can imagine that might be air in the system, but having never heard what that sounds like before, I don't know.
I'd say I'm reasonably mechanically minded but have never worked on a TD5*. No problems putting into a garage if that's the right thing to do. But keen to learn a bit if it's in the realms of almost-competent amateur territory.
Hope that makes sense: thanks for any suggestions.
--
* The last major mechanical work I did was replace the engine in my mum's mini, but that was 30 years ago...).
I have a 1999 110 TD5 CSW. It has 2 starting problems:
1. Sometimes the starter doesn't engage on the key.
2. When it's cold, it takes a lot of cranking before eventually chugging into life. It starts instantly when warm and is fine once running.
From reading around, I think these are unrelated. The first seems consistent with the solenoid relay problem (see e.g. this thread). If that's true then the fix seems reasonably straightforward: buy and fit the refurb kit.
The second I'm less clear on where to start. Given it's fine warm, I wonder if it's glow plugs? However it could also be fuel. It had a new fuel pump not that long ago and, when the pump comes on, there's a definite change in pitch over the first few seconds. I can imagine that might be air in the system, but having never heard what that sounds like before, I don't know.
I'd say I'm reasonably mechanically minded but have never worked on a TD5*. No problems putting into a garage if that's the right thing to do. But keen to learn a bit if it's in the realms of almost-competent amateur territory.
Hope that makes sense: thanks for any suggestions.
--
* The last major mechanical work I did was replace the engine in my mum's mini, but that was 30 years ago...).