Heater Plugs?

Ok, so surely there is a thread to this, but, thicko like me cannot find it!

P38 BMW Diesel, just started to want to wind over for ages before it starts, let the dash lights go out turn the key, but no, never instantly now.
Is it likely to be heater plugs?? I suppose it's had some work to do this past fortnight at -4 most early mornings.
Any ideas, as usual, would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Duke of Offley

Could be heaters, or leak in injection system, either fuel out (having to build up pressure), or air in (having to purge it). If it's running ok once going, it's unlikely to be pump.

mmmm, yes thanks, I can & will check it tomorrow, a new fuel filter will make me investigate.
I wonder is there a relay that may be chucking things out and would it find it if hooked up to the computer??
Thanks again,
Duke of Offley

Remove the black plastic cover on the top of the engine and check the condition of the diesel leak off pipes that run from each injector.

They can cause poor starting if perished.

A very cheap fix too.

DUKE OF OFFLEY said:

Ok, so surely there is a thread to this, but, thicko like me cannot find it!

P38 BMW Diesel, just started to want to wind over for ages before it starts, let the dash lights go out turn the key, but no, never instantly now.
Is it likely to be heater plugs?? I suppose it's had some work to do this past fortnight at -4 most early mornings.
Any ideas, as usual, would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Duke of Offley

Click to expand...

Hi I'm copying below in italics a reply I sent yesterday to somebody else with the same problem. ask somebody sensible to check it.
Hi paddocks. Just stumbled across this in Rave when I was looking for something else. Sounds like it might fit your problem but the guys who know what they're talking about might tell you I'm talking bollocks. Check it out with one of the sensible people.
Rave p. 418 syas that failure of the engine coolant temp sensor ( X126) will cause long crank times in cold weather.
Just a thought......might be bollocks.
Good luck.

Funny mine was like that yesterday, first time ever,, but fuel was low, not light on but in the last mark of the dial

filled up today, so will see how it is in the morning, don't believe it is glow plugs as we are warmer now than we have been for weeks and it started first turn all of the last three weeks

If you haven't done them, replace the leak off pipes regardless of what they look like, it'll cost all of about a fiver for enough new pipe to do them, I used to have one of these and when I did mine they virtually disintegrated when I was pulling them off, the outer covering disguises the condition of the pipe beneath. Basically they go brittle and split and allow air into the top of the system, the motor has to crank for a while to get the diesel back up. It made a massive difference to mine.

mine started in less than 2 secs of turning the key with only 1 heat

only difference between the 2 days is a full tank of fuel

anybody else notice this with theirs or is it warning me of immeniant failure of fuel pump

so would certinly see if that helps yours

Hi All,
I'll look at these pipes mentioned, thanks.
It seems though, once carhas been running a while, it does start OK, but this morning took some doing.
Maybe, just maybe the cold has altered things, but a frost tonight will confirm if the problem is still here at 6.00am.
Thanks again for now,
Duke

Make sure you have a VERY good battery too!

The glow-plug light on the dash only shows the timer circuit, NOT the plugs working. When you switch on, the timer start to power the plugs, get someone to switch on, then apply a test probe to each plug & earth in turn, this will show that 12v is reaching each plug, or not.
If not, remove the long cover behind the battery & check the timer relay (mine had failed)
Even if all is good, 1 or more plugs can have failed even thogh its getting power, I removed each of mine in turn & applied 12v to see that 3 out of 6 were dud!!
DO NOT do as I did & held them in my hand, still got the burns marks!!!!

If the car has done a fair milage and starting has been getting more difficult I would put my money on the heater plugs. They fail one by one until starting is really difficult!