Unreliable P38 Starting

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Boydonegood

Boydonegood

New Member
Posts
233
Location
Essex Lad
Hi guys,
Sorry if this is duplicated,only my first message seems to have dissapeared!
I have a 96' P38 DSE

95% of the time she starts first time (albeit with 2 hits of the glowplugs).. I also have the "hot Start Fix" fitted" I did have an issue around 3 mnths ago with the battery keep dying, so i changed the RF reciever and all seemed sorted. I have had the battery checked and told is all ok...Although if i leave the radio on for 10 mins, ill end up with a flat battery,

Around 5 times in the last month, ive come out hit the key and the car just turns over and over until the battery dies.. Ive changed fuel filters, Return pipes, and have no visable bubbles in the fuel lines..
I also have fuel at the injectors (this happens at any level of fuel in the tank)

( i know some will scream at me) but ive also tried giving her a sniff of easy start but she dosent even cough. Theres no smoke comming out the exhaust and if i squirt too much in she begins to lock up, so i presume the compression must be ok..
The fault is totally random, but when she does start, she drives and pulls perfectly.. I dont ever remember it not starting of a morning from cold, more often if i stop for fuel or pub etc.

Sometimes putting a battery pack jump start helps, otherwise you just have to keep ya fingers crossed and keep trying till it does eventually start..
Any advise would be fantastic
Im at a loose end always worrying it isnt going to start.
Cheers guys

Tel
 
Hi Lowfat
Thanks for the reply, yeah i really do need to change them, have heard its an inlet manifold off job, so preparing myself! lol

Just cant get my head round why all 5 times its failed, its been when the engine is warm.. and i do have the Hot Fix Start Box fitted.. Thought this "should" help eliminate the glow plug issue until i do them..
And the fact it wont attempt to fire on easy start?

The weekend im going to try replace the Battery, and fit glow plugs, and re fit new return pipes again..

Tel
 
Thanks for the responses guys! The car drives and pulls 100% so I'm guessing the fuel pumps are ok? .. Have had the battery tested a few times and always been told it's ok. I think I'll definitely put one on the weekend anyway as winters comming. The in car entertainment is all upgraded. But I've got all the additionals disconnected.
 
Boydonegood said:
Thanks for the responses guys! The car drives and pulls 100% so I'm guessing the fuel pumps are ok? .. Have had the battery tested a few times and always been told it's ok. I think I'll definitely put one on the weekend anyway as winters comming. The in car entertainment is all upgraded. But I've got all the additionals disconnected.
Click to expand...


Make sure you get the biggest battery that will fit and rated for providing enough cranking amps for diesel starting:D
 
My only concern is I thought all a diesel needed to fire was fuel and compression. Which is why I can't get my head round the fact it's not even attempting to fire on easy start? Or am I wrong?
Thanks guys
Appreciate your help
Tel
 
Guys. Have found a Alphaline 130 power 1000 cold cranking for £100. Delivered from batt company on net. 4 year gaurantee. Sound sensible? Or am I better offgoing with a better make 95amp 850 crank more common for same money?
 
i have exactly the same problem matey and its blowing my foooking head apart:).i thought i,d cured it a couple of times with a new set of plugs/spill pipes/coolant sensor and last weekend a new in tank pump(only coz i got it cheap).looks like its back to the drawing board,crank sensor,no.4 injector,starter motor,all possibilitys.batterys ok .one thing for sure is i,ll get there in the end best of luck craig
 
Least I ain't on me own then! Gonna order that batt tommorow as Storm advises and keep fingers crossed. Am gutted as it's a lovely motor. But scared to take it out incase it don't fire up!
Does need a set of plugs I know. But was kinda hoping it was gonna be sum silly common relay prob or something. Lol. Keep in touch please mr?
 
Boydonegood said:
Least I ain't on me own then! Gonna order that batt tommorow as Storm advises and keep fingers crossed. Am gutted as it's a lovely motor. But scared to take it out incase it don't fire up!
Does need a set of plugs I know. But was kinda hoping it was gonna be sum silly common relay prob or something. Lol. Keep in touch please mr?
Click to expand...

The M51 engine needs good glow plugs because of it's fuel mapping. You can have three plugs out and it will still start. But the good ones have to be sequencial. Firing order 153624 so if 153 are good ok. If 536 are good ok. And so on. But if you have a gap EG 1*3*2 or 5*6*4 or any combination with gaps good and bad it will struggle to start. They also as stated by others need plenty of cranking power.
 
Boydonegood said:
Hi guys,
Sorry if this is duplicated,only my first message seems to have dissapeared!
I have a 96' P38 DSE

95% of the time she starts first time (albeit with 2 hits of the glowplugs).. I also have the "hot Start Fix" fitted" I did have an issue around 3 mnths ago with the battery keep dying, so i changed the RF reciever and all seemed sorted. I have had the battery checked and told is all ok...Although if i leave the radio on for 10 mins, ill end up with a flat battery,

Around 5 times in the last month, ive come out hit the key and the car just turns over and over until the battery dies.. Ive changed fuel filters, Return pipes, and have no visable bubbles in the fuel lines..
ave fuel at the injectors (this happens at any level of fuel in the tank)

( i know some will scream at me) but ive also tried giving her a sniff of
easy start but she dosent even cough. Theres no smoke comming out the exhaust and if i squirt too much in she begins to lock up, so i presume the compression must be ok..
.
The fault is totally random, but when she does start, she drives and pulls perfectly.. I dont ever remember it not starting of a morning from cold, more often if i stop for fuel or pub etc.

Sometimes putting a battery pack jump start helps, otherwise you just have to keep ya fingers crossed and keep trying till it does eventually start..
Any advise would be fantastic
Im at a loose end always worrying it isnt going to start.
Cheers guys

Tel
Click to expand...
change glow plugs for oem,not cheap ones,or make sure power is getting to glow plugs.
 
Thanks for all your advice guys. It's really appreciates. Will stick the new battery on and grab a set of glowplugs from main dealer. Am I right thinking I'll have to drop inlet manifold off or can you struggle round them? ... Sorry, not being lazy but cars at home and I'm at work. Wanna ring dealers and order the bits.
Thanks. Tel
 
Boydonegood said:
Thanks for all your advice guys. It's really appreciates. Will stick the new battery on and grab a set of glowplugs from main dealer. Am I right thinking I'll have to drop inlet manifold off or can you struggle round them? ... Sorry, not being lazy but cars at home and I'm at work. Wanna ring dealers and order the bits.
Thanks. Tel
Click to expand...

Remove the manifold it is MUCH easier.
 
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