300 tdi struggles to start

My 300tdi Land Rover 90 struggles to start all the time had this problem since I had it it normally will eventually start up but when it does it puts out a lot of white smoke for 5-10 seconds then clears any one have any idea what my problem is also my ignition won't hold the key in place so the heating doesn't work

thats the problem. if the glow plugs aint working then it wont start properly start with a new ignition barrel or fiddle with it to make the glow plugs work. if that dont cure it then sounds like low compression which suggests either worn pistons and rings or a head gasket.

White smoke is probably unburnt diesel from turning it over though to be honest a tdi should fire up fairly easy without heating except in very cold conditions so sorting the glow plugs might not be the end of your worries.

All glow plugs are working as Iv tested them today I replaced the alternator a few moths back and for the first few weeks had no problem started nearl first turn of the key now back to the same problem but never got a flat battery

Tested ? IN or OUT ?

Took glow plugs out to test them the light turns of after about 8 seconds but u can here the click turn of at about 12 seconds

Marrio6459 said:

All glow plugs are working as Iv tested them today I replaced the alternator a few moths back and for the first few weeks had no problem started nearl first turn of the key now back to the same problem but never got a flat battery

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When you say struggles to start do you mean struggles to turn over or spins fine but doesn't fire?

Spines fine but have to keep spinning it for about 20 seconds befor it will fire up

1s you have it running is it ok 4 rest of day ?

If I got to work at 8 Once Iv done about 5-10 miles will be fine starting till about 3-4

How much fuel is in the filter if you take it off?? If it's half full it's your lift pump if it's full then you got a Air leak !!

Well I replaced all oil and filters 5 days ago but fuel filter didn't seam full when I took it of when put new one on went to prime it and was pumping for good 8 minutes and no fuel can threw so filed the filter up and tryed to prime it again and it did push fuel up threw the blead screw

4 the price of a lift pump I would put a new 1 on & don't get a blue box 1

Iv ordered one cuz I head a feeling that might be the problem iv order a
LAND ROVER DEFENDER 300TDI FUEL PUMP LIFT PUMP - "OEM DELPHI" - ERR5057G

Ye that will do it ! LOL as for the gloplugs did you test with wire & battery ?

No used jump leads from the battery to the glow plugs

Marrio6459 said:

No used jump leads from the battery to the glow plugs

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Yes but on the bench or on your tool box LOL

Bit of beginner here can u explain what yah mean haha

If it isn't the lift pump what else could it be

No probs !
So you have the glo plug in your hand ! Peace off wire 6" long !( or your jump leads ) + on end of glo plug -- on body of glo plug END of glo plug should go RED! not the middle ! IF the end don't glo the the motor won't go !