difficulty starting DSE (M51)

Saga continues..... New head, overheating sorted (touch wood) only thing, it doesn't like starting!( even with a knackered head it use to fire on the button)

first thing in the morning or if its been off for a few hours, it tries to fire once then nothing. It cranks and cranks until the battery is almost dead. on the third try (usually) it catches and runs great. When warm it fires on the button. (unusual for a P38!)

Thought it might be fuel valve letting fuel back but clear pipe from filter to meter unit definately full.

Any ideas from the great LR sages?

Did someone scrimp on the glow plugs ?

rewmer said:

Did someone scrimp on the glow plugs ?

Click to expand...

Dont think so, mechanic said the ones that were in were a mixture so he put new ones in..

Its a good point, it does seem like glow plugs.. will put the old ones in and retry

Cheers

Only OE ones will be any good. We have had scores of people on here that have used cheap ones and they are just no good. Find out what he put in and if they are cheap, get some proper ones.

Checked the plugs, seem ok, on looking at the fuel pipe again it was not full but almost empty. twisted the pipe so that the fuel went down to the meter then tried starting, it fired up second attempt.

No fuel coming out anywhere so trying to identify where the air can be getting in.

Is it normal to have air settle in this pipe overnight?

Leak off pipes are the usual culprit, but after the work you have done that seems doubtful but worth double checking.

Datatek said:

Leak off pipes are the usual culprit, but after the work you have done that seems doubtful but worth double checking.

Click to expand...

Checked the pipes, no leaks visible, I assume if air is getting in when it is switched off, fuel should be coming out when its running.

Will keep looking, will ask mechanic which pipes came off - it must be one of them!

Try giving it 2 shots of the glow plugs before you start. If it starts easy after two runs of the glow plugs then you know the issue.

I fitted spurious new glow plugs to mine and I would never do it again. Only use the OE BERU plugs.

SpudH said:

Try giving it 2 shots of the glow plugs before you start. If it starts easy after two runs of the glow plugs then you know the issue.

I fitted spurious new glow plugs to mine and I would never do it again. Only use the OE BERU plugs.

Click to expand...

SpudH - you must be Psychic, I was lying in bed about 5am mulling over life, the universe and rangies that wont start and I had the exact same thought. Just finished work so off to go and try.

Watch this space....

lil4399 said:

SpudH - you must be Psychic, I was lying in bed about 5am mulling over life, the universe and rangies that wont start and I had the exact same thought. Just finished work so off to go and try.

Watch this space....

Click to expand...

Update...............

Turned on ignition, wait for glow plug light to go off.

repeat but on third attempt turned key all the way and she fired up instantly

Thanks guys!

Time to order some OEM glow plugs.

I thought I had got passed this one....

RR had different ideas. Starting has become impossible without easystart - no I know, not a good option.

Have ordered a set of genuine glow plugs to see if that the issue. Racked my brain and cant find sod all else that it could be. watch this space...

I take it judging by your latest update that you never got round to fitting new glow plugs?

rewmer said:

Only OE ones will be any good. We have had scores of people on here that have used cheap ones and they are just no good. Find out what he put in and if they are cheap, get some proper ones.

Click to expand...

I've just bought a set of BERU glow plugs at £8 each ( Island 4x4) : are these OK before I fit them ?

TAKdriver said:

I've just bought a set of BERU glow plugs at £8 each ( Island 4x4) : are these OK before I fit them ?

Click to expand...

Beru are OEM fitment.