300TDI bad starter

My disco 300tdi auto 1997, dont like starting when cold ,and its summer time now.So god help it in the winter. The glowplug light comes on then goes out ok.I have changed the glowplugs but still i have to give her 3 goes with the heater plugs then wind her over, she seems to start on 2 or 3 cylinders then runs fine with no smoke ,any ideas ??

sounds like the engine might be a bit low on compression - how many miles as it done ?

would be worth getting a compression test done as they should start without the plugs as long as there is fuel and compression

Sean said:

sounds like the engine might be a bit low on compression - how many miles as it done ?

would be worth getting a compression test done as they should start without the plugs as long as there is fuel and compression

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Seans right fuel and compression are all they need, mine dont need any heat at all and it goes.

Worth checking the valve clearances as well, but if low on compression they usually pump out white smoke when starting up, particularilly when its missfiring.

Check the fuel is not running back and it's a lack of fuel causing it.

Might also be worth checking your fuel leak off pipes (the fibre covered pipe that runs from each injector to the next and then back the pump and then back to the tank).

My 300tdi was having starting problems start of this year, new set of glow plugs and a meter (cost about a quid) of leak off pipe and it starts first turn now.

The engine has done 105000 with full service history .I have had new filters and cam belt replaced,also fitted new glow plugs ,i have noticed white smoke now,im not sure that she is mis firing ,she just seems to turn over about a dozen times before she picks up and runs.
Thanks for your help.

do you know fer sure that yer plugs are getting hot ?

Your right. You shouldn't need the glow plugs at all. Mine starts straight off on cool mornings without a wiff of glow plugs and its just passed 240K. Realy does sound like airs getting into the fuel line or somthing similar. Open the bleed screw on the top of ya filter and hand pump the fuel lift pump to see if you have any air in the fuel. Just done my spill of pipes but it wasn't causing starting problems just 450 miles to a full tank!!! Failing lift pump????

mark ovenden said:

The engine has done 105000 with full service history .I have had new filters and cam belt replaced,also fitted new glow plugs ,i have noticed white smoke now,im not sure that she is mis firing ,she just seems to turn over about a dozen times before she picks up and runs.
Thanks for your help.

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The smoke could be oil getting down the valve guides when engine cools. not sure if you have valve stem oil seals on that engine - if so they're not too hard to change. Wouldn't explain the poor starting though.

My '97 300TDi auto had exactly the same problem. I took it to my local diesel specialist and they apparently fitted something to the injection pump, they won't tel me what. But whatever it was has cured the starting problem. I only use glow plugs if the weather bloody cold and that is just to make it easier on the engine.

ahebron said:

My '97 300TDi auto had exactly the same problem. I took it to my local diesel specialist and they apparently fitted something to the injection pump, they won't tel me what. But whatever it was has cured the starting problem. I only use glow plugs if the weather bloody cold and that is just to make it easier on the engine.

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Sounds like cowboys, something to hide, you think pehaps all they did was advance the timing, cause lots of white smoke can be retarded timing.

Any reputable garage will give you a reciept detailing what they did and parts used if requested. If they dont then they have something to hide.

You cant turn the pumps much on these things but if it cures it then you have something fooked like timing belt on its way out, or woodruff key worn in crankshaft pulley, which seems to be a common one allowing the timing to move. Or the pump is knackered.

Two things cause this fault, retarded timing and late fuel delivery and low compression, so set up the timing and start there.