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Scottcaz

New Member

• Oct 22, 2017

• #1

Hi folks

I have a 2004 TD4 and when the engine is cold and weather frosty or cold etc it starts no problem at all

If the engine is warm and the weather mild or warm then again the engine starts no problem

Issue is - when the engine is cold and the weather is milder or warm then it struggles to start without a lot of cranking. It's as if there is some sort of temperature sensor telling the engine not to start or stopping sending through the fuel or.........any ideas would be very helpful

PS it has brand new glow plugs fitted and runs really well otherwise.

Thanks in advance

Cheers

 

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guineafowl21

Well-Known Member

• Oct 22, 2017

• #2

This is an odd one, and you might find yourself swapping parts for ages and spending loads of money. Best course of action would be a diagnostic check.

That said, I’d be checking (physically) the air intake temp sensor (remove and clean), coolant temp sensor, and cam sensor - at least that the connectors are tight and clean.

Also check fuel rail pressure sensor plug. A cold engine and warm weather means condensation on the wiring, so a can of contact cleaner and a few hours of patient cleaning might be in order.

 

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Scottcaz

New Member

• Oct 22, 2017

• #3

Hi thanks for response

Had a diagnostic check, everything was clear ( at the times checked )

When I fitted glow plugs everything is spotless and clean

Must be a sensor

 

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

• Oct 23, 2017

• #4

Put a quality injector cleaner in the fuel. Comma Diesel Magic is one of the best, readily available cleaners. Bad starting when the glow plugs aren't being used, is often down to bad fuel atomization from dirty injectors.

 

pardec

Active Member

• Oct 23, 2017

• #5

what he said

 

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Scottcaz

New Member

• Oct 23, 2017

• #6

Nodge68 said:

Put a quality injector cleaner in the fuel. Comma Diesel Magic is one of the best, readily available cleaners. Bad starting when the glow plugs aren't being used, is often down to bad fuel atomization from dirty injectors.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that. The car was in and had one of those terraclean things too

#baffled

 

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

• Oct 23, 2017

• #7

Scottcaz said:

Thanks for that. The car was in and had one of those terraclean things too

#baffled

Click to expand...

I personally don't think Terraclean is worth the money, but it should clean the fuel system.
So it's sluggish to start when not using the plugs. This could be the MAF, assuming it's not dirty injectors. How long does it acutely take to start? Are we talking minutes of cranking or just a few seconds before it starts?

 

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Scottcaz

New Member

• Oct 25, 2017

• #8

Hi guys. Engine runs sweet. Cold weather cold engine starts on the button. Hot engine hot ( ok it's Scotland ) weather starts on button. Cold engine mild / warm turns over a few times to start along with white smoke

Runs really well at all times no missing or any sort of probs

 

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

• Oct 26, 2017

• #9

As long is it starts within 5 to 10 seconds of cranking, then there's nothing wrong with the engine imo. However it does sound like you could have a leaking injector, hence the white smoke.
Put a for fuel treatments through it and see if it improves.