Cold Start Prob

Hi Gents,

2.5 DT P38
Changed the heater plugs, leak off pipes, fitted the one way valve, and a new battery.
First thing in the morning it cranks for ages before firing on 2 or 3 pots increasing to a full set then will run sweet.
Once started even if left to go cold for 6 hours it will start immediately.

Any clues gratefully recieved

Hi there,
It sound like you may have a problem with the in tank fuel pump.If you take the inlet pipe to the fuel filter off(simple clip device)look in the fuse and relay box,take out relay R12 then take a piece of wire and attach wire to positive side of battery and then insert it in No5 socket in the relay,you can see the pin numbers on the relay when you remove it so insert in the correct one.If fuel flows from pipe(about 150 to 200 ml in approx 15secs pump is Ok,if not then pump is faulty.new one`s are about £90.
Regards Vic

wantaquad said:

Hi Gents,

2.5 DT P38
Changed the heater plugs, leak off pipes, fitted the one way valve, and a new battery.
First thing in the morning it cranks for ages before firing on 2 or 3 pots increasing to a full set then will run sweet.
Once started even if left to go cold for 6 hours it will start immediately.

Any clues gratefully recieved

Click to expand...

Did you fit OEM glow plugs or cheapo's? cos it sounds like glowplugs are not heating well. Try waiting for the glow light to go out, then turn off ignition and on again, wait for the glow light to go out again, repeat and the third time the glow light goes out crank it. If it starts straight away it's most probably glowplugs or the glow plug relay.

Hi Gents,

Vic - Thanks for the tips with checking the pump - I will try it as soon as I can,
Datatek - Thanks for the info - I have the same heater plugs in another P38 with no probs, this one it only plays up after standing all night, once it has been started you can leave it all day and it will start from cold in the evening first kick every time

wantaquad said:

Hi Gents,

Vic - Thanks for the tips with checking the pump - I will try it as soon as I can,
Datatek - Thanks for the info - I have the same heater plugs in another P38 with no probs, this one it only plays up after standing all night, once it has been started you can leave it all day and it will start from cold in the evening first kick every time

Click to expand...

Much warmer during the day than it is overnight even if it's only the difference between -5C and +5C. There will be more residual heat in the engine after being left during the day than when left overnight.
Still reckon it's glowplug related, check the voltage at the glowplugs to see if they are getting full wack