Possible glowplugs failure?

plumbfisher · Feb 1, 2014

Good evening all,
my otherwise perfect(!) P38 2.5 DT has started being a bit difficult... The past few days it has 1.started up but sounded a bit rough, a bit like a misfire 2.taken a couple of attempts before starting (as 1.) 3.took about 5 attempts this morning before eventually stsrting up with a cloud of blue smoke. I then went for a run and its been fine all day since (about 5 starts). Fortunately I fitted a big new battery yesterday so was able to keep churning away until it started this morning. I've checked the voltage to the glowplugs (11.8) but haven't yet tested them individually (it was peeing down and I'd had enough!) Does this sound like the symptoms of one or more glowplugs failing?
Thanks

Datatek · Feb 1, 2014

plumbfisher said:
Good evening all,
my otherwise perfect(!) P38 2.5 DT has started being a bit difficult... The past few days it has 1.started up but sounded a bit rough, a bit like a misfire 2.taken a couple of attempts before starting (as 1.) 3.took about 5 attempts this morning before eventually stsrting up with a cloud of blue smoke. I then went for a run and its been fine all day since (about 5 starts). Fortunately I fitted a big new battery yesterday so was able to keep churning away until it started this morning. I've checked the voltage to the glowplugs (11.8) but haven't yet tested them individually (it was peeing down and I'd had enough!) Does this sound like the symptoms of one or more glowplugs failing?
Thanks

Sounds like you have 2 or 3 plugs failed. Don't buy cheapo's, stick to Beru, Bosch, Delphi or NGK

plumbfisher · Feb 1, 2014

Sorry - I forgot to mention that after two or three goes this morning there was a loud ticking from the left hand front side. Was this the fuel pump catching up? I've not heard it before...

tomcat59alan · Feb 1, 2014

Not fuel pump, its in tank. EAS levelling ?

Datatek · Feb 1, 2014

plumbfisher said:
Sorry - I forgot to mention that after two or three goes this morning there was a loud ticking from the left hand front side. Was this the fuel pump catching up? I've not heard it before...

Was that when you tried to crank? If so, it's the starter motor solenoid.

plumbfisher · Feb 1, 2014

I thought it was. But the sound definately could be heard loudest in the passenger footwell. It kept going even when it was switched off (between starting attempts) and then stopped after a while. Its on coils ...!

tomcat59alan · Feb 1, 2014

plumbfisher said:
I thought it was. But the sound definately could be heard loudest in the passenger footwell. It kept going even when it was switched off (between starting attempts) and then stopped after a while. Its on coils ...!

ON COILS !!!!!!! it's a bomb planted by R/R pureists

plumbfisher · Feb 1, 2014

I know - I was trying not to mention its springs, I know what sensitive types there are on this forum!

tomcat59alan · Feb 1, 2014

plumbfisher said:
I know - I was trying not to mention its springs, I know what sensitive types there are on this forum!

Including me

plumbfisher · Feb 1, 2014

tomcat59alan said:
Including me

Will I be excused if I tell you that it came like that? I'm pleased to see that the compressor and stuff is all still there so I'm thinking it was probably bag failure which caused it to be changed. One day I'll get it back on bags again. Till then I'll keep bouncing along on the coils!

Rachelkgr · Feb 1, 2014

tomcat59alan said:
ON COILS !!!!!!! it's a bomb planted by R/R pureists

Coils? Noooooooooooooooooooo!!! :violent:

plumbfisher · Feb 1, 2014

Rachelkgr said:
Coils? Noooooooooooooooooooo!!! :violent:

Look it wasnae my fault! When I first spied this P38 it was on air. I asked the chap to let me know if he ever wanted to sell it, and by the time he did, it was on coils. I got it 9 months ago. Its a 2001 2.5 DT Oslo blue, immaculate cream interior, FSH at the local main dealers, and I'm the second owner. Before this I had a series 2A for 19 years. You really expect me to quibble over the ride quality of coils! (incidentally I paid for the P38 what I got for the 2A) This is my second dream Landy. Anyway Rachel, I should refrain from commenting on your choice of 'dream landy', but really ? an Evoke!?

mutsnutz · Feb 2, 2014

urrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhh you nasty man get the airbags back on

tomcat59alan · Feb 2, 2014

Well if you bought it on coils and intend to put it back on air, good on you sir!

plumbfisher · Feb 2, 2014

mutsnutz said:
urrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhh you nasty man get the airbags back on

Thank you so much for your considered, sensitive response. I shall certainly take heed of your advice...

...just as soon as I can get this starting problem sorted! (what started this thread!) I would still appreciate advice about that. Went out in it last night, no trouble starting at all. This morning it just started up easily again. (it is much warmer here today). It is the clicking noise I mentioned which I can't understand...

Datatek · Feb 2, 2014

plumbfisher said:
Thank you so much for your considered, sensitive response. I shall certainly take heed of your advice... ...just as soon as I can get this starting problem sorted! (what started this thread!) I would still appreciate advice about that. Went out in it last night, no trouble starting at all. This morning it just started up easily again. (it is much warmer here today). It is the clicking noise I mentioned which I can't understand...

It's probably the EAS ECU sending morse code for "where's me airbags"

wammers · Feb 2, 2014

plumbfisher said:
Thank you so much for your considered, sensitive response. I shall certainly take heed of your advice... ...just as soon as I can get this starting problem sorted! (what started this thread!) I would still appreciate advice about that. Went out in it last night, no trouble starting at all. This morning it just started up easily again. (it is much warmer here today). It is the clicking noise I mentioned which I can't understand...

Think you said the clicking continued after you switched off. If it is on coils and the EAS has not been disconnected properly it maybe the valve block clicking. Do you have any messages on the dash?

plumbfisher · Feb 2, 2014

No messages on the dash. I've not heard that clicking before. It was the aforementioned main dealers who did the conversion so one has to trust and believe that it was done right.
Another question, maybe should be another thread, but not a problem, after I changed the battery (or have disconnected it previously), in spite of what it says in the handbook, the only thing I have to reset are the windows. ie. not even the stereo. How come?

Datatek · Feb 2, 2014

plumbfisher said:
No messages on the dash. I've not heard that clicking before. It was the aforementioned main dealers who did the conversion so one has to trust and believe that it was done right.
Another question, maybe should be another thread, but not a problem, after I changed the battery (or have disconnected it previously), in spite of what it says in the handbook, the only thing I have to reset are the windows. ie. not even the stereo. How come?

No code on the stereo, my Transit is the same.

tomcat59alan · Feb 2, 2014

Not like a stealer to leave any EAS bits on the car after coiling it. The fitter (should be spelt with a sh and not an f) usually has them on Fleabay before the car is collected.

Possible glowplugs failure?

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

No longer with us, RIP

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads