L series struggles starting cold

Hi everyone.

So here goes, my freelander has trouble starting when it is cold. So far we have:-
1.Checked the battery pm and then again am
2.changed glow plugs
3.checked the glow plug relay
4.Checked the linefuse toward the relay
5.changed fuel filter
6.banged my head repeatedly off the wall.

If it is the timing which would be my next guess would it only affect it when the engine is cold? It has been getting progressively worse.

Mrscymraeg said:

Hi everyone.

So here goes, my freelander has trouble starting when it is cold. So far we have:-
1.Checked the battery pm and then again am
2.changed glow plugs
3.checked the glow plug relay
4.Checked the linefuse toward the relay
5.changed fuel filter
6.banged my head repeatedly off the wall.

If it is the timing which would be my next guess would it only affect it when the engine is cold? It has been getting progressively worse.

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Its usually the timing with L Series.

When did you last change all 3 belts?

GrumpyGel said:

Its usually the timing with L Series.

When did you last change all 3 belts?

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Annoyingly I have only owned it for about 5 months and I have had to rectify so much since I have had it I haven't even had time to do the belts yet.

If you're unsure on the age/condition of the belts, I'd get them changed. I've had my L Series coming up 8 years and never had any issues with cold starting. We get frosts virtually solid for 3 months of the year here and every year I do a few winter fishing trips with my boy up in the mountains where it has got down to -10 without issues. Its been an awesome truck and engine. Other than belts (twice), servicing, and a bit of clearing out of soot, all that I've had to do to the engine is to replace the leak back pipes that had deteriorated.

The major problem that can occur with Freelander is the transmission and, if you are in any way not aware of the importance of the VCU and tyres to your Freelander, I'd suggest you have a read of the following thread...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

Hubby is asking dull question but he wants to know if it would still start if he put the pipes on the wrong way on the fuel filter?

Dunno about that, but it it wasn't a new filter it might suck a whole load of crud up into the pump and injectors.

GrumpyG cheers for the replies mate. Was a new filter just checking I haven't done something dull.

Basically first start of the day takes a good 40 secs or longer of cranking which involves loads of white smoke (unburnt deso?) While she is cranking then finally she will start.

Checked the new plugs today and resistance etc is ok and power getting to the harness etc.... but couldn't tell if they had been getting warm.

Starting to wonder if an air leak as I 're primed the fuel system today and while the priming bulb is initially getting hard when she starts it's going soft again so wondering if this is right as was under the impression it should be hard ish as system is under pressure etc....


Cheers for the help so far

The priming bulb has a non-return valve in there and these can fail allowing fuel to drain back to the tank but that doesn't sound like your issue.

I'm no great expert, but I'd have thought that if there was an air leak between the HP pump and injectors, it would spit out fuel with the engine running. So then it could only be between the priming bulb and the HP pump. I'm not convinced though

I'm still of the opinion that its timing - reading through Landie and Rover forums it almost always is when it comes to poor starting.

Grumpy once again cheers for the help

Positive this will be a pump timing issue. Been here on several L-Series engines. Releasing the fuel pump cam bolts and adjusting 2mm either way makes a hell of a difference.

Thanks for the advice guys, I will get it looked at. Please excuse me if this is a stupid question but why does this only affect it when the engine is cold?

bigdenbailey said:

Positive this will be a pump timing issue. Been here on several L-Series engines. Releasing the fuel pump cam bolts and adjusting 2mm either way makes a hell of a difference.

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Agreed 100%.

Mrscymraeg said:

Thanks for the advice guys, I will get it looked at. Please excuse me if this is a stupid question but why does this only affect it when the engine is cold?

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As the timing belt and pump belt age. An amount of stretching takes place. This will retard the fuel pump timing, giving progressively slower starting. When the engine is cold, like in winter. It becomes more susceptible to retarded timing, as a number of factors combine. These are, thick oil, thicker diesel, cold block absorbing heat while cranking and reduced battery efficiency. Some of the above will affect cranking speed, which lowers compression heat generated. When cold the injection pump will add more fuel to improve starting. It also retards the timing slightly to make sure there is sufficient heat generated by the compression, before fuel is added. If the pump timing is too retarded, the compression heat is absorbed into the block, so cold starting is affected.

Thank you for explaining, does this explain the white smoke from the engine bay when it's cranking?

Mrscymraeg said:

Thank you for explaining, does this explain the white smoke from the engine bay when it's cranking?

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Possibly. Have the glow plugs been changed?

Nodge68 said:

Possibly. Have the glow plugs been changed?

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Hi there has we swapped the 3 we could get to with new ones checked there is power getting to them etc...

Just stumped as to why clouds of white smoke are coming from the engine bay while she is trying to crank/start..... replaced fuel and air filters also....

It's just the first start of the day she does this and takes 30 to 40 seconds of cranking before she kicks into life. Then no more white smoke if this makes sense...


Cheers for all the replies

cymraeg said:

Hi there has we swapped the 3 we could get to with new ones checked there is power getting to them etc...

Just stumped as to why clouds of white smoke are coming from the engine bay while she is trying to crank/start..... replaced fuel and air filters also....

It's just the first start of the day she does this and takes 30 to 40 seconds of cranking before she kicks into life. Then no more white smoke if this makes sense...


Cheers for all the replies

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There shouldn't be any smoke from the engine bay. Where is it coming from?

Nodge68 said:

There shouldn't be any smoke from the engine bay. Where is it coming from?

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From by the exhaust manifold from looks of it

Hence was thinking un burnt derv

Will post a vid in the morning. Should produce a laugh at least

cymraeg said:

From by the exhaust manifold from looks of it

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The L series has suffered from a blocked cat on more than one occasion. That could explain smoke at the manifold.