Bad cold starts

I have mentioned before about me cold starts on my 300tdi and that I have to turn the engine over 2 or 3 times to get somewhere.
I took the glow plugs out and tested them on a battery and they all glow nicely right to the tip.

Voltage wise there is about 10.8 volts going to them, is this enough.

i checked my battery after getting home and it was about 12.3 volts.

So, not sure if this is enough voltage? I actually tested them on a good leisure battery in the garage.

I checked out the earth that comes down off the body connection behind the battery, it looks a bit rusty. Could this be hinderring the starter motor?

Or could it be the solenoid for the starter?

what engine?

300 tdi

unfortunately i can't help u then

plastic soul said:

300 tdi

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Do a goggle /Wikipedia search and should get your answer

check you have no air in fuel system ,leak off pipes are dry and in good condtion ,but may be just getting a bit worn if not seriously so

when the last time you changed the fuel filter and cleaned the sedimenter also check sedimenter aint got any holes this makes for bad starting and a small fuel leak belive me just found out

i put a new sedimenter on as the alloy had coroded with metal and made a hole the size of a 5 pence piece its worth gettin checked out..

no start this morning, temperature -4.
Had to car share with the wife...astra. an dit was snowing!

Car turned over a few times then starter got slower sand slower...

Sounds like your baterry is a bit on the weak side

tried to get earth strap off behind rad, bugger thats in an awful place!!
The bolt looks a bit corroded etc. I'm going to check voltage at earth strap behind battery then the other one down below, bad earth will cause more resistance which will mean less voltage right??

or less current......

resistance (from a bad earth) can reduce the voltage right? Ohms law and all that...
Voltage = current x reistance

jamesmartin said:

check you have no air in fuel system ,leak off pipes are dry and in good condtion ,but may be just getting a bit worn if not seriously so

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James, interesting this as I've just found my leak off pipes are looking worn and a bit split and my 300tdi also suffers from cold start problems. Do you just buy a length of pipe and cut it into suitable size pieces or are they bought specifically for that car and pre-cut? Any idea where I can get replacements from?

Cheers

you can buy it from most motor factors ,cut it to size

James what size are the leak offs?

Also what size is the main fuel pipe please?

Got it started tonight after a little charge, took about an hour to bring uo. Battery seems to have 12.2v.

leak off 3.2 mm ,fuel pipe 8mm

thanks