Me again...

Hello again, I have another quick question and as always, will appreciate and welcome any and all advice.
My 300, 1988 110 struggles in the morning. It sounds like, when your battery is on the way out, very slow and laboured, just about turning over but then then suddenly it bursts into life in a cloud of smoke. Once it has started, it starts on the button for the rest of the day with absolutely no drama at all. Now, at first I thought the battery was a gonner, so, in true style and without finding the problem, I bought a new one... this hasn't helped at all. I was thinking that it might be a bad earth?? Anyone else have any thoughts? The earth from the battery is massively thick, so not sure if it's too thick maybe? Or is thicker better?
Thanks to everyone in advance.

Thick is good, oh err missus! Lazy starter?

Starter motor maybe, regarding the wire size, as with fluid in pipes. The larger the pipe (wire) cross section, the less the resistance.

Just cos the earth wire is thick doesn't mean it has a good contact to clean metal, check that. Also check to see if you have a power drain causing the battery to discharge somewhat over night. Also check the alternator is pumping out sufficient power when running.

Col

Check the wires on the back of the starter are nutted down tight. It's not uncommon for those to come loose and this is one of the symptoms......don't ask.how I know

Check your earth's have not corroded by capillary up their length at either end-another common cause.

I would check the earth first, clean up the connections and make sure that the earth strap between the chassis and engine is good.

Thank you one and all.
The earth from Battery to chassis was very old and has most probably never been off or cleaned, so took it off and cleaned all surfaces down to metal again.... It was pretty rusted and full of gunk. The earth from the engine to the chassis was the same but as hard as I tried, I could not get the bolt off the chassis to clean it up as it was rusted solid. So what I did was, buy another earth strap from Halfrauds and added it on the other side to where the original one is, just behind the gearbox but on the opposite side and then took it to the chassis. I assume there is no harm having a second earth?
I will have to wait and see if it has made a difference when it's cold in the morning....really hope it has.
Thanks again for the advice.

Nerocuba said:

Thank you one and all.
The earth from Battery to chassis was very old and has most probably never been off or cleaned, so took it off and cleaned all surfaces down to metal again.... It was pretty rusted and full of gunk. The earth from the engine to the chassis was the same but as hard as I tried, I could not get the bolt off the chassis to clean it up as it was rusted solid. So what I did was, buy another earth strap from Halfrauds and added it on the other side to where the original one is, just behind the gearbox but on the opposite side and then took it to the chassis. I assume there is no harm having a second earth?
I will have to wait and see if it has made a difference when it's cold in the morning....really hope it has.
Thanks again for the advice.

Click to expand...

You can never have too many earths on a Landy ...

If anyone was interested to know or just keep it in the back of your mind, incase anyone has the same issue. I got in it this morning after cleaning the earth and adding another, it started on the button from cold for the first time. Still a big puff of smoke but first turn of the key.
Thanks again all.

I wouldn't be too concerned about a puff of smoke on start up unless it smells of burnt oil. If a diesel does not start immediately, the unburnt diesel causes the grey smoke.

Rougharse Racing said:

I wouldn't be too concerned about a puff of smoke on start up unless it smells of burnt oil. If a diesel does not start immediately, the unburnt diesel causes the grey smoke.

Click to expand...

Yeah I've read that and was also wondering if I have a bit of air in the fuel line. I tried bleeding it by undoing the screw on the fuel filter and then used the lift pump.... It was my first time and yes, I did get a face full of diesel hahaha but at least I know it works lol

Nerocuba said:

I could not get the bolt off the chassis to clean it up as it was rusted solid.

Click to expand...

that is what an angle grinder is for and copious amounts of copper grease on reassembly to prevent it happening again. As has already been said extra will only be a good thing the larger the better. If the battery to chassis earth as in that poor condition for the price of a new cable it may be worth replacing as a precaution even if it is now all working after a bit of a clean.