Starting Probs

Hi all, My dad has recently bought a td4 freelander, is 02 model with 120k on clock, had been running ok for the last month but since last wednesday has been difficult to start.
The day after the -15 frost he flattened the battery trying to start, would just crank but not fire, recharged the battery and was ok few hours later. But since then it seems to want to crank over for 5-10 seconds before it fires and then the engine sounds like it is missing for approx 30 to 40 seconds if he revs it around 2000rpm and will then clear however there is a fair bit of blue smoke untill it clears.
Also now when he is in top gear he cant get much above 50mph, he did manage 65 today but then the engine wont pull any more it just doesnt seem to be able to pull any more.

Any ideas out there?

Regards Jason

Try replacing the diesel fuel filter and check the glow plugs (for continuity) and glow plugs relay. Did that on my older 'L' series Freelander xdi (could only replace 2 glow plugs - no's 1 and 2) and it starts much better now even at -22c here in Bavaria!

I would suggest injectors problems. High leakage prevents starting because at the low cranking spped the HP pump cannot generate sufficient pressure. At low temperatures O rings harden and do not seal as well as when they are warm. (Remember the Space Shuttle which blew-up because of an O ring leak!) Do a leak back test.