Disco TD5 Starting Problem

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gguyton

gguyton

New Member
Posts
5
Location
Norfolk
Hi All,

My 52 plate Discovery TD5 which has a problem when starting from cold. When I start the car first thing in the morning it splutters into life sounding rough and bumpy like it is on 4 cylinders, after a few seconds it sounds like the fifth cylinder comes online and the engine then quickly settles down to a regular idle leaving a cloud of un-burnt fuel in the air behind the vehicle.

Once I run the car for a few minutes it will start for the rest of the day without any issues, however next morning it is the same again!

No fault codes are showing and there are no obvious fuel leaks.

To attempt to fix this in the past I have fitted a new injector harness (no oil was seen in the ECU connector but I fitted a new harness anyway), fitted new heater plugs, the injectors were sent off to a nearby diesel specialist to be checked (including new seals and washers), new air filter fitted, new MAF fitted, EGR blanked off.

All to no avail :mad: I’m not sure what else to try, any ideas?

Many thanks

GG
 
I have exactly the same problem at the moment! been advised to replace the fuel filter housing first as they can become porous and let air into the system. Got a replacement (2nd hand for 35 quid) and tried to fit today but ran out of daylight so put back together and going to try next week. Will let you know if it cures it.
 
Im sorry if im going in the wrong direction here but dont the td5's only have 4 glow plugs. is it just the 5th cylinder is taking a few seconds to catch up due to it getting colder? This is only a guess though just thought i would give it a mention
 
I find it strange only having four but hey it works. and when i said colder i meant outside temp. mine misses very slightly first thing if its been a cold night. but only for a sec or two
 
It could be that if you have one or more glowplugs failed . it is trying then to start on 2or 3 cylinders so sounds worst that your used to. easy to test . Remove glow plug and using jump leads put across battery. Tip of plug should glow bright red hot. if only smokes then no use.
 
As others have said this engine has only 4 glow plugs so they can sound a bit rough for the first few seconds. But they shouldn't !

I've had a few TD5's and even in the coldest (-18°C) weather we get here they all fired up perfectly.


I put this down down to regularly (every weekend during winter) putting the battery on charge (left in situ., just disconnected the leads) using my Optimate charger.

Never had a moments doubt about a smooth start.
 
I am having a weird problem with 52 TD5 discovery missing every now and then so I removed ecu and had oil in the harness. I cleaned it all up and replaced the harness and fuel filter, got rid of air in system and it was running fine on idle but drive it 200 meters and it misses and seems like its either a fuel blockage or injectors have a problem to the point where it gets worse over the space of a few minutes and then dies. It won't start at all now and loads of smoke but won't tick over at all. Any ideas? Thanks
 
dbutler said:
I am having a weird problem with 52 TD5 discovery missing every now and then so I removed ecu and had oil in the harness. I cleaned it all up and replaced the harness and fuel filter, got rid of air in system and it was running fine on idle but drive it 200 meters and it misses and seems like its either a fuel blockage or injectors have a problem to the point where it gets worse over the space of a few minutes and then dies. It won't start at all now and loads of smoke but won't tick over at all. Any ideas? Thanks
Click to expand...

Time to do a search on injector washers me thinks;)
 
glow plugs are cheap and easy to replace not worth the hassle of checking them a trip to motor factors is needed :crazy_driver:
 
Hi there, have just checked and no noise from the fuel pump. I thought I would put more diesel in it although its showing 1/3 tank but the flap release button is now not working.
What's best course of action ?
Thanks
Darin
 
dbutler said:
Hi there, have just checked and no noise from the fuel pump. I thought I would put more diesel in it although its showing 1/3 tank but the flap release button is now not working.
What's best course of action ?
Thanks
Darin
Click to expand...


Hi Darin, the first thing before spending any money is to establish:

A. if there is juice going to the electric fuel pump in the tank?;
B. If there's no electrical supply at the pump, check fuses and wiring;
C. Take out the electric pump and clean the filter at it's base and reinstall.
 
Weirdly I went back to the car an hour later and fuel filler cap unlocks no problem now. Have checked the fuses and all seems fine ( 30amp under bonnet ) and so now going to tackle the fuel filler as you suggest. Too noisy where its parked but still couldn't hear the fuel pump but trying the bleed procedure again I got a lot of black smoke from the exhaust when it was trying to kick over. Would that mean its gettin fuel?
Thanks so far - greatly appreciated
 
dbutler said:
Weirdly I went back to the car an hour later and fuel filler cap unlocks no problem now. Have checked the fuses and all seems fine ( 30amp under bonnet ) and so now going to tackle the fuel filler as you suggest. Too noisy where its parked but still couldn't hear the fuel pump but trying the bleed procedure again I got a lot of black smoke from the exhaust when it was trying to kick over. Would that mean its getting fuel?
Thanks so far - greatly appreciated
Click to expand...


If you can't hear the fuel pump when you put the ignition key to pos II, when you stand by the rhs rear wheel, then that is your problem.

The car might start and might even run a bit - but without the fuel pump it'll never run properly.

Your first stage is to assess and access the in-tank fuel pump.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys - I'll have a look at my glowplugs. Not sure that will be the issue though as the probem exists all year round, not just in the winter. My Dad is able to start his Td5 Defender smoothly without waiting any time for heating even in the coldest weather.

cheers
GG
 
Fuel pump arrived today and replaced it ( had to stand on it when fitting and then turning the mounting collar by hand ) and it now runs a dream. eBay purchase was on £88 delivered next day vs. £200+ at my Landrover dealer. Huge thanks to thebiglad. Great forum. Darin
 
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