Bugger to start......

Hi folks, I rebuilt my series III a few years back, including a recon 2.5 TD engine, and an overhauled injector pump.
Recently, it has been a real problem to start. Taking about 3 attempts of really cranking the starter, and then it will start on the third go.

I've checked the glow plugs, fine, redone the tappets, which were overdue, drained the sedimenter, all no joy. I'm starting to wonder if its a fuel leak allowing air into the system, but I can't see any signs of a leak.

Any advice would be really appreciated, this is not helping the starter motor which was new less than 3 years ago.

Fuel filter first place to go with this problem,I have a section of clear pipe in my line to check for this.

Have you disturbed anything or is it possible a pipe has been rubbing on the intake fuel supply?

Could confirm start okay by doing a gravity fed fuel container to bypass the tank feed issue.

Filter, fuel pump, any pin holes letting air in. It sounds a bit like ari as its taking time for the fuel to get up, perhaps the pump is letting it drain back?

How did you check the glow plugs. Is it starting any easier on warmer days. Once started, does it then start easy or is it constant.

tottot said:

Fuel filter first place to go with this problem,I have a section of clear pipe in my line to check for this.

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Thanks for that, are you checking for air in the inline filter?

Mulcaster1 said:

Have you disturbed anything or is it possible a pipe has been rubbing on the intake fuel supply?

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Not to my knowledge, it just came from no where!

saxavordian said:

Could confirm start okay by doing a gravity fed fuel container to bypass the tank feed issue.

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That sounds like a good idea, though I did try priming it with the lift pump, but no joy, can't hurt to try that though.

rob1miles said:

Filter, fuel pump, any pin holes letting air in. It sounds a bit like ari as its taking time for the fuel to get up, perhaps the pump is letting it drain back?

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I'm going to do hte filter at the weekend. anyone got any clever ideas for spotting very small fuel leaks?

Gmacz said:

How did you check the glow plugs. Is it starting any easier on warmer days. Once started, does it then start easy or is it constant.

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Took 'em out and tested them on 12v all glowed nicely after 15-20 secs. problem disappears after the first start until it is left standing overnight.

moorlander said:

Hi folks, I rebuilt my series III a few years back, including a recon 2.5 TD engine, and an overhauled injector pump.
Recently, it has been a real problem to start. Taking about 3 attempts of really cranking the starter, and then it will start on the third go.

I've checked the glow plugs, fine, redone the tappets, which were overdue, drained the sedimenter, all no joy. I'm starting to wonder if its a fuel leak allowing air into the system, but I can't see any signs of a leak.

Any advice would be really appreciated, this is not helping the starter motor which was new less than 3 years ago.

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it would be air leaking in and not usually visible, try upping cranking speed with a second battery both fully charged see what that does

Have you checked the glow plug wiring as well. Multimeter on the circuit and see if 12v or so is present. Pipe from filter to pump is a popular leak spot.

When running remove oil filler and check for excess blow back , check oil and water for emulsion had a failing head gasket on a 2.5 became hard to start but ran ok.

I found an air leak at the fuel pipe union where it joined the tank pick-up tube. A bit of steel wool polishing the union fixed that. Also banjos can let in air even if you think they are tight enough.

Blackburn said:

When running remove oil filler and check for excess blow back , check oil and water for emulsion had a failing head gasket on a 2.5 became hard to start but ran ok.

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I'll check, if it is that, its 200tdi time

moorlander said:

I'll check, if it is that, its 200tdi time

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Head gasket on a 2.5 TD is a pretty easy job, and a quality gasket is about a tenner.

Also, have you carefully checked your air intake hoses for internal collapse? Quite a common issue on those.

hi folks tried various things, fuel filter, checked everywhere for fuel leaks, had a piece of paper underneath to check for fuel leakage, nothing. the head was reskimmed 3 years ago and obviously i put on a new gasket. Always starts on the third tun of the key, provided i give it plenty of crank, then when she does start she is slow and lumpy until i blip the throttle a couple of times and then she's sweet. if it was a petrol its as if shes screaming out for a bit of choke.
the only other thing to add is shes breathing quite heavily though the oil filler cap.
any further pearls before this swine would be gratefully received!

I'm not too hot on diesels but heavy breathing and difficult starting sound like symptoms of worn bores or failing piston rings.

Rubins4 said:

I'm not too hot on diesels but heavy breathing and difficult starting sound like symptoms of worn bores or failing piston rings.

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And that's what put me right off stinking smelly old landy diesels that are cantankerous, polluting and slow. I think mine is either scrapped or serving as a good mooring. Made for a world where smelly old engines didn't matter.