TD5 grumpy when starting

Hi there.

Been having a few issues with starting recently and having done a search it seems it may be caused by either air in the fuel lines, dodgy glow plugs or oil in the injector harness.

A brief bit of history about my TD5 (defender). Has had a new (OEM) fuel pump fitted 2 years ago, also had new starter 3 months ago. On turning ignition it just feels that only 1-2 cylinders are firing, takes maybe 3 attempts to start (versus first time every time for the 5 years I've owned it). Very grumpy, but I had just put it down to the damp weather we've had.
Once started, it's fine. No issues, although I did notice last night when I took my foot off the 'gas' it accelerated on it's own, for a brief second or 2.
Can start it no problem again when the engine is warm, ie within 30 mins of stopping engine.
I'm pretty much a newbie when it comes to repair, but can be very easily guided to do most jobs as long as they aren't BIG!
So, how would an unskilled person like myself go about checking for air in the fuel line, or am I best putting it into my local (and trusted) garage to check the injector seals. any pointers appreciated!

you could run the purging procedure a couple of times before starting, if it starts ok then, it sort of confirms air in the fuel,

johnlad said:

you could run the purging procedure a couple of times before starting, if it starts ok then, it sort of confirms air in the fuel,

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thanks. i take it thats the ignition on and 6 pumps technique?

yeah thats it

thanks. will try that then report back

ok, first purge done. it went through the priming process about 6 times. on the first prime there was a noticeable gargling sound. let it complete it and tried starting. It started second time, and not nearly as grumpy/shaky as it has been. now repeating the purge process.

rightyo

i purged it another twice and, predictably, it fired up first time (this was always going to happen as the engine is now warmed up). the real test will be to leave it an hour then try and start it.

having left it for nearly 2 hours, i went to start the engine.

it DID start first time, but it was pretty obvious that not all the cylinders were firing at the very start, about a second later they all kicked in. is this now pointing to an injector loom/glowplugs issue?

thanks

Only 4 cylinders on a td5 have heater plug so number 5 is always a second or two behind the other 4 as it generates it's own heat

johnlad said:

Only 4 cylinders on a td5 have heater plug so number 5 is always a second or two behind the other 4 as it generates it's own heat

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yeah, was aware of that, but this was extra slower than usual, if that makes any sense.

im going to wait until the morning for the REAL overnight test. then maybe check the loom at the ECU end for oil. thanks again.

ok, still being a grumpy pants today.

took 3 turn to almost start, and foolishly I pressed the gas and caused it to flood. 10 minutes later after letting it rest, it started with a mass of white smoke.

checked the ecu red plug. clean as a whistle, but thats not to say its not contaminated further up.
going to change the glow plugs firstly, then if that doesn't work, fit a new injector harness?

sound like a plan? thanks

id be changing the injector seals and washers before anything else, but only use genuine ones