300tdi cold start issues!

HI guys, just wonderin if anybody can point me in the right direction with my cold start problem? mines a late 300tdi 90 and its taking maybe 10 or more revolutions of the engine to fire up in the mornings, until she chugs into life kickin out a bit of grey smoke (not huge ammounts) and runs like pants until the glow plug relay clunks off. Odly I removed the 'start' relay from the fusebox infront of the gearstick and she started much quicker!! I have sourced a good 2nd hand timer relay and fitted new plugs but no difference. The charge/ battery warning light stays illuminated until the revs exceed tickover, however im assuming this isnt directly related maybe a brush sticking or something? By the way its spoiled with its servicing and runs fine when warm.
Any help would be appreciated! Ta!

Woodcote90 said:

runs like pants until the glow plug relay clunks off.

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Try waiting till the plugs have warmed up before trying to start... that's what their there for! :doh:

Ta Lerk!! I wait for the light to extinguish on the dash and I know that with 200 and 300s the timer relay clunks off about 20seconds after the dash light extinguishes dependant on underbonet temps. Neither of my old discos failed to fire within a couple of turns and ran smoothly. Mind you i mustnt complain this one hasnt put a foot wrong until now.

More knowledgeable than you first seemed there then mate... APOLOGIES!

Woodcote90 said:

Ta Lerk!! I wait for the light to extinguish on the dash and I know that with 200 and 300s the timer relay clunks off about 20seconds after the dash light extinguishes dependant on underbonet temps. Neither of my old discos failed to fire within a couple of turns and ran smoothly. Mind you i mustnt complain this one hasnt put a foot wrong until now.

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how do you know that the plugs are actually getting fecking hot ?

Cheers for the replies guys! I know it sounds daft but I havnt actually checked to see if they are getting hot come to think of it! Doh! But I will do in the morning, Being a tit I just assumed they would be if the relay and plugs were new. Out of curiosity, do the starter motors on defenders turn the lump over quicker than discos?

If you are getting lots of white/grey smoke I would say you are getting lots of fuel, but not enough heat, so I would be tempted to get a set of BERU or BOSCH glow plugs if you are in any doubt about the ability of the old ones to get up to temp properly.

If the engine is a bit older the valves may be leaking a bit leading to compression loss, my 145k mile 300tdi had this, bores were brand new could still see the honing, but the valves were leaking - so it takes faster starter speeds and longer to get the heat up in the cold.

Starter should be the same part no. although there are a load to choose from, from good bosch units to dodgy chinese things - My 300tdi 90 spins over quickly but the Disco 300tdi chuggs away quite slowly, but always fires.

Thanks Discomania, I wont bad mouth the company that made the ones ive got but a few people ive spoken to are none too happy with the brand in question! I think il get a set of shiny new bosch ones! By the way the engine has just passed 100k mark, and has been serviced regularly, so I doubt its anything more sinister! But you never know! If my valve seals were leaking tho I think Id spoil her a bit and give her one of those Turner performance ones.........
Didnt end up with greasy hands today the bleedin snow was comin in sideways!!!!