STARTING PROBLEMS - BATTERY or SOMETHING ELSE?

a dying battery combined with something like lazy injectors, incorrect injection timing, poor glow plugs, etc. Try a new battery an some new plugs.

Why won't a diesel fire up?

Only ONE answer - not enough HEAT being created to ignite the injected fuel.

Heat comes mainly from COMPRESSION of the air in the cylinders.
The glow plugs help by adding local heat where it is needed most, at the injector tips.

The white smoke is vaporised diesel that NEARLY ignited but not quite. The vaporising of the diesel fuel takes heat AWAY from the combustion process, and happens when the fuel injection takes place a bit too soon for start-up conditions.

But most of all it is the heat of compression that does it. The engine needs to turn over as fast as possible, with the glow plugs red bloody hot, and the injection is best retarded while trying to fire up. Your pump MAY do this automatically, but if it is supposed to it won't if you have your foot on the throttle when trying to start. Leave your foot OFF the throttle, after stamping the pedal a few times to loosen the governor and send it to full on position.

So, which engine do you have?
Can you send a pic of a side-on view of your pump, especially the lower half?

The standard answers will be .... big strong fresh battery on charge overnight too ... good earth straps with clean tight ends attached to the chassis and engine, and clean battery connections .... clean engine oil of the right grade (not too thick), valve clearances set right, and really top quality glowplugs.

You might think about getting the injectors tested and checked for spring pressures. I have a Hartridge tester on my bench, and use it on all sorts of injectors. It helps if they are right, but they seldom go wrong.

Speed of rotation, red hot glows, retarded timing, and she should go!

Failing all that fit a flame plug like they use in tractors.
WAY TO GO!!!!

CharlesY

Thats very interesting CharlesY thanks, i stamp the peddel twice and leave off the pedal when trying to start it! its a 1986 110 2.5d NA! Ill try and get a pic of the pump as im not sure about that! Im going to try replacing the glow plugs to see if that works. Glowplug switch is on my dash by the clock so ill see if that is working too!

Yeah ill try the plugs first body1989 cos batteries are expensiveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Thanks

110-Landy-Man said:

Yeah ill try the plugs first body1989 cos batteries are expensiveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Thanks

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Batteries need not be SO expensive, so go to the battery man direct, and say you want the biggest battery that will fit in the space, with the BIGGEST STARTER CURRENT POSSIBLE.

When you buy glow plugs take advice. I think they reckon the slightly dearer ones are a lot better than cheap ones. Glow plugs are NOT all the same.

Charles

BERU or Bosch only - I got the cheapys once and they don't get hot enough - they don't even draw much current. I knew they were poor when I hit the glow button and the dash lights bearly even dipped. Fitted the BERU ones rated at 1000° C for 2 minutre burn time and 3 year warranty.

THEY WORK!

Bosh duratech ones are good too, expect to pay about £7 a plug or as much as £12 a plug. Those ones from ebay in the blue boxes are the worst - they warp.

Had same problem on my ford mondeo diesel. Yes I know it ain't a landy (my other car is!!!) Changed glow plugs and absolutely amazing result. Instead of killing the battery every morning with me having to repeatedly turning glow plugs on for 15-20 secs and eventually getting it going with clouds of white smoke, it now starts within couple of seconds, and no probs with battery. I only wish I had done it sooner.

All I did was change the glow plugs - and yes, buy decent ones as stated above.

Has a S111 with a 2.5 n/a in it, glow plugs and a new battery, outstanding result.

Used this one; Numax CXV-X 1000 Amp

Best of luck

onelife said:

Has a S111 with a 2.5 n/a in it, glow plugs and a new battery, outstanding result.

Used this one; Numax CXV-X 1000 Amp

Best of luck

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Wow ... what a fantastic battery!
What did it cost?

CharlesY

£77.00 incl postage

and they're small enough to get 2 in a defender under the seat box and leave room for your fingers.
Cheers, Mark