Glow plugs.

300tdi disco that my wife friend has just got off ebay starts at the turn of the key when warm but noticed this morning( as its on my drive while i sort a few bits out) that it cranks over for a good 5 secs when cold before it fires. Once it has been started for the first time though it then starts at the turn of the key. Wondering if it could be the glow plugs if so are they easy to remove or will they likely be bastards and snap if i try to take them out?
Gary.

there's only one way to find out

garyrigden said:

300tdi disco that my wife friend has just got off ebay starts at the turn of the key when warm but noticed this morning( as its on my drive while i sort a few bits out) that it cranks over for a good 5 secs when cold before it fires. Once it has been started for the first time though it then starts at the turn of the key. Wondering if it could be the glow plugs if so are they easy to remove or will they likely be bastards and snap if i try to take them out?
Gary.

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Hi Gary, they are normally OK to remove but use a spark plug style long socket with rubber inside it. If you encounter a really stubborn one - leave it! Try removing them on a warm but not hot engine - warm helps the removal; hot burns yer mitts!!

Trying to remove a broken glow plug from a head is a nasty business. She'll start just fine on three working plugs. Also bear in mind battery condition, these diesels require a good battery to turn them over from cold so before you go too far down the road, put the battery on charge overnight and she how she fires the following morning.

TBH there should be no starting problems whatsoever at this time of year - it's only when you get into minus temps that the trouble starts, or not!!

Good luck

Dave

Ok cheers . Might try preheatng it twice in the morning before i start it and see if that makes a difference.
Gary

Are the plugs getting any power at all?

The relay or fuse could have failed.

Just a thought.

Plugs are fairly easy to change. Deep reach socket.
Number 4 (near the bulkhead) is a right ****, I didnt bother with it in the end.
3-2 nice an easy.
1 is easy if you aint got air con. If you`ve got a/c its a bit harder.
But you can just take the bolts out an shift the the pump out the way. Without needing to take the pipes off.

hth
Pete

Good point ! I'll test that while im at it.

Mine starts piece of **** even without glow plugs due to it being direct injection, I'm gonna throw something else out there, when was the fuel filter last changed?

I would point to a weak fuel lift pump, mine had the same symptoms until I changed it.
Ben

arienol said:

I would point to a weak fuel lift pump, mine had the same symptoms until I changed it.
Ben

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That was going to be my second suggestion

Just a thought but this disco is fitted with EDC . Could one of the many sensor be faulty? Been having a read up and there is a cold start sensor apparently . Found it starts a lot quicker if you press the go pedel slightly when cranking .
Gary

arienol said:

I would point to a weak fuel lift pump, mine had the same symptoms until I changed it.
Ben

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Just waiting for new fuel filter to arrive. Gonna try that first as it doesn't look like it's been changed since the dawn of time. If that makes no difference I'll go for a new lift pump next. Moved the pump handle up and down a few times and there is not much resistance compared with the one on my own disco.!

garyrigden said:

Just waiting for new fuel filter to arrive. Gonna try that first as it doesn't look like it's been changed since the dawn of time. If that makes no difference I'll go for a new lift pump next. Moved the pump handle up and down a few times and there is not much resistance compared with the one on my own disco.!

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You could try priming it with the fuel feed hose removed from the injection pump. When my lift pump was naffed it passed absolutely no fuel at all.


The more people I meet, the more I love my German Shepherd.

Right well the fuel filter finally turned up and i fitted it yesterday and this morning she started on the button. Good times