Cold starting problem

Hi guys, calling on your help again.
I have a 2001 P38 D, she has been running like a dream until two days ago.
The pre heat light comes on as it should and for the correct time, however engine takes forever to start, often needing three or four attempts?
Once warm car starts as normal.
The question I have unless anyone has direct answer is: can the glow plugs be warn/broken but the pre heat light still work?
thanks

Yes the easiest way to check the plugs is remove all feed wires to each plug put a thick wire on the tip of each plug one at a time and touch the positive on the battery the ones that don't spark are busted
Simples

You need, at least, three glow plugs working in consecutively firing cylinders for them to have any effect. So you could still have three working plugs but still have bad starting.
Do not buy cheapo plugs from ebay, the engine doesn't like them. OEM were Delphi or buy a good, known name from a reputable supplier.

As Dogsbody said, glowplugs. Beru, Delphi, Bosch or NGK are good, cheapo's do not work or fail quickly.
Flood with Plusgas the day before you try to change them and it's easier with a warm engine. Be very careful not to break them.

Some one with better grammar than me should do a sticky on this we are like parrots

Who's going to be a pretty boy then ?

Grit Valve said:

Some one with better grammar than me should do a sticky on this we are like parrots

Who's going to be a pretty boy then ?

Click to expand...

You would have sticky's the full length of the first twenty pages. But i agree it does get tiresome typing the same advice over and over again.

wammers said:

You would have sticky's the full length of the first twenty pages. But i agree it does get tiresome typing the same advice over and over again.

Click to expand...

Because you have done so a few of us have learnt from you and can take over some of the 'work'. What I would appreciate are some custom smilies that read "courtesy of Wammers" or Datatek Saint etc.etc.

Grit Valve said:

Some one with better grammar than me should do a sticky on this we are like parrots

Who's going to be a pretty boy then ?

Click to expand...

Trouble is, most people seem not to read the How To's even when they are pointed out to them, just as most do not read the owners manual.

Datatek said:

Trouble is, most people seem not to read the How To's even when they are pointed out to them, just as most do not read the owners manual.

Click to expand...

Maybe the how's too's should be in green or something so that they stand out !

Grit Valve said:

Maybe the how's too's should be in green or something so that they stand out !

Click to expand...

That still would not make people go to the How To section when it's easier to just ask.

Grit Valve said:

Maybe the how's too's should be in green or something so that they stand out !

Click to expand...

Apart from a few exceptions the how to's are in the various how to sections....doesnt make much difference what colour they are if folk dont look

blue beasty said:

Apart from a few exceptions the how to's are in the various how to sections....doesnt make much difference what colour they are if folk dont look

Click to expand...

Ok was just a thought best delete my website suggestion thread then

Go do some work!

Maybe the search function should be more preminent - I have a link to it in my sig and I guess the search function being part of the board system they use can't really be changed to be a big red button....

Although you say that when your new to a site its all abut hard to take in sometimes hi lighted bits can stand out

Saint.V8 said:

Maybe the search function should be more preminent - I have a link to it in my sig and I guess the search function being part of the board system they use can't really be changed to be a big red button....

Click to expand...

Lol yea and delete the search posts IMO waste of time unless you got time on your side.

dogsbody said:

Because you have done so a few of us have learnt from you and can take over some of the 'work'. What I would appreciate are some custom smilies that read "courtesy of Wammers" or Datatek Saint etc.etc.

Click to expand...

How about something like....

[smile]READ THE FORKIN HOW TO'S[/smile]

blue beasty said:

How about something like....

[smile]READ THE FORKIN HOW TO'S[/smile]

Click to expand...

Oh come on don't talk daft, what newbie ever reads "How To's" it's just too easy?

Hi

First thanks for the advice will try suggestions tomorrow.

Secondly sorry I have made some of you repeat this. To add some kind of feed back I am new to the site and was not aware of a how to page, when I typed in Cold Start I was given the option of 4 hot start threads and one for a Defender.
Also if everyone went to those pages how could you depart such wisdom on a daily basis, if nothing else it keeps the grey matter working. How many timed does your wife have to remind you which bin it is every week???
thanks again

Oh and Mr Wammers hows the rapid Red Beast??

thought I would mention that I have now found the How to section of this Forum, and nothing in there for this, is it in anyother area?