TD5 starting issues

Raider td5 · Nov 27, 2009

Hey guys!

I am having some problems with My defender TD5. Its a 2001 year with 97000 kms on the clock and I am the first owner. It has always been serviced either by the dealership of by my self using high quality lubes.

The problem is that it takes a while to start, the first start of the day. I have to keep cranking it for like 5-8 seconds before it starts and the problem surfaced like 4 days back now that it is getting colder. Temp falls to zero or a lil less during the night. And starting it with or without glow plugs doesn't make any difference. Before that it has never given any trouble.

Would any one know what is this about? I doubt that there are any compression issues.. the engine has no blow by, burns no oil and is in excellent condition. What else can it be? Direct injection engines don't really need glow plugs either so what else can it be?

Cheers.

Shifty1962 · Nov 27, 2009

Injectors? Fuel pump? Fuel filter?

larrynumber1 · Nov 27, 2009

like you say it might not really need them but they are there to help out in weather like this, have they ever been replaced? wouldn't do any harm to change them either way IMO

Raider td5 · Nov 27, 2009

Shifty1962 said:
Injectors? Fuel pump? Fuel filter?

Thanks man.

I changed the fuel filter about 17000 kms ago. We do have poor diesel quality tho. I can change that again to narrow down.

What are you suggesting about the injectors and pump? Do they need to be changed/cleaned/calibrated etc? I can hear the pump in the tank working so I reckon fuel pump is okay.

Shifty1962 · Nov 27, 2009

I change my fuel filter every 6000 miles maximum but often earlier than that. They are cheap but can cause all sorts of problems once restricted.

When the engine fires does it run normally? If so its unlikely to be the injectors or fuel pump. Is the pump noisy? That can also be a sign that the fuel filter is partially blocked.

foss · Nov 27, 2009

your battery could be on its way out since the weathers got cold...does the engine turn over normally or slower than usual?

hext · Nov 27, 2009

have you checked the injector leak off pipes?

Raider td5 · Nov 27, 2009

larrynumber1 said:
like you say it might not really need them but they are there to help out in weather like this, have they ever been replaced? wouldn't do any harm to change them either way IMO

My friends 300 TDI starts right up without glow plugs in this weather.

I have not replaced them yet but I did check them about 7000 kms ago when I took the manifold off to clean all the gunk in intercooler and related piping. I took them all out and test individually all of them were functioning fine, there were four glow plugs. I will check them again though.

Raider td5 · Nov 27, 2009

Shifty1962 said:
I change my fuel filter every 6000 miles maximum but often earlier than that. They are cheap but can cause all sorts of problems once restricted.

When the engine fires does it run normally? If so its unlikely to be the injectors or fuel pump. Is the pump noisy? That can also be a sign that the fuel filter is partially blocked.

Yes when it fires it runs absolutely normal and smooth. The pump is not noisy but it has produced weird sounds like three times in the past 6 months , as if it is purging air.

I will change the filter soon.

Raider td5 · Nov 27, 2009

foss said:
your battery could be on its way out since the weathers got cold...does the engine turn over normally or slower than usual?

I think you are right..

It does sound like it cranks slower than usual... I will attach cables to it tomorrow from an other car and check if it makes any difference.

Raider td5 · Nov 27, 2009

hext said:
have you checked the injector leak off pipes?

What and where are the injector leak off pipes?

foss · Nov 27, 2009

The amount of batteries Ive sold that are only slightly underpowered is untrue...shame because on a smaller petrol car they'd be good for months!

Shifty1962 · Nov 27, 2009

The TD5 does not have leak off pipes. It has internal fuel flow and spill galleries within the cylinder head instead.

hext · Nov 27, 2009

Shifty1962 said:
The TD5 does not have leak off pipes. It has internal fuel flow and spill galleries within the cylinder head instead.

:doh: My bad...

Raider td5 · Nov 28, 2009

Hey guys...

I attached cables to it from another car, the starter turned much faster but it still didnt start instantly. Took longer crank than it is suppose to but shorter than it was on its own battery.

foss · Nov 28, 2009

have you tried charging your battery-does the car only do frequent short trips?

Raider td5 · Nov 30, 2009

No.

Hardly any short trips. It does long trips mostly.

Raider td5 · Dec 6, 2009

Hey guys!

I got my defenders oil changed with centrifugal and main filter change, air filter and a Mahle/Knetch fuel filter.

But it has made no difference at all... it starts takes a while to start. What do you reckon what should I do? Should I get it checked on T4? Would that reveal anything?

Cheers.

foss · Dec 6, 2009

have you changed battery yet?

CharlesY · Dec 6, 2009

It's a TD5

First, always keep your foot OFF the throttle when starting.

Second, buy and fit a set of top grade new glowplugs. It needs FOUR plugs as the rear cylinder doesn't have one.

Third - wait till the fuel pump quietens before trying the starter. This will make more sure the fuel gallery in the head is purged of air.

AND always wait till the glow-plug light goes out.

If the fuel is poor, try adding 1 litre of unleaded petrol to every 20 litres of diesel, or two litres of kerosene.

CharlesY

TD5 starting issues

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