Cold start problem. 2004 2.0 DTi.

[BlueMarvel]

Hi All,
I hope you guys might be able to give me some pointers here. I'm having problems starting my 2004 2.0 DTi in the mornings. I've already replaced the glow plugs, which helped but didn't cure the problem.

Here is the sequence of events up till now.

Problem: Engine light came on, cold start took ages and was accompanied by a lot of smoke and juddering. Engine light goes off after the engine is running for a few seconds. Subsequent starts during the day are fine.

Two of the glow plugs were faulty, so I replaced the whole set.

After this, its start up was a little better, but not much. Star up is accompanied by a cloud of smoke and juddering.

At this stage the Engine light does not come on and the on board diagnostics is not reporting any problems (had it checked). Also, after a few weeks use, the replacement plugs are still fine, so I dont think they are being cooked.

I've noticed that the best way to start at the minute is to turn on the ignition, wait till the heater light goes off, turn it off and on again, then wait for around 10 seconds after the heater light goes off.

The above makes the start up a little more tolerable but far from perfect.

I'd appreciate any input you guys might have.

I've had a lot of problems with this car since buying it 3 months ago, I've had to replace the crankshaft pulley, shocks and quite a few smaller things. And now this.

Regards,
B

[suggs1971]

Hi i also have a bad starting problem with my 2.0 dti. Last year i had the leak off pipes replaced but my veccy still starts bad but not everyday so ive got my car booked in to get the injector seals replaced. Apparently the 3 areas to look at are leak off pipes, fuel filter seals and injector seals as any of these if knackered will let air in the fuel system which gives the rough starting.

[BlueMarvel]

Thanks for your input Suggs.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Mine is due a service in about 5K miles, so I might do it a little early and have the what you mentioned checked out.

I had been worried that it might be a problem with the fuel pump, hopefully not.

[suggs1971]

No problem, mines getting injector seals done on monday. If it was fuel pump i was told they either work or stop totally and car wont start at all.

[BlueMarvel]

Hello Suggs,
Did you have any luck with your injector seals?

[suggs1971]

Long story m8, ive got another thread going. Had the seals done, came back with the loud diesel noise/knock under acceleration and bad starting, and now its got to the point where it wont fire up just turns over. Found some bits that had been bodged up so my car is in another garage now to get the injector seals done again.

[murtb]

i changed the heater plugs on mine if it is left over night and started early next day it will start but leave about 36 hours and it is near impossiable to start could diesel be leaking back and could you put a one way pre filter in the line and were would you put it only had the car a month it looks as though somebody has been using easy start on cold days i need to get this sorted before winter

[DaveW555]

All sound like leak off pipe problems to me, the pipes perish and allow air into the system which effectively means you've got to completely bleed the system all the way from the tank to the injector, change the leak off pipes, they're literally pence.

[murtb]

changed leak off pipes and totally clean out inlet manifold it was full of old oil deposits which had gone hard around the butterflies seemed to start ok after bleeding so lets hope it is the problem thx

[murtb]

i changed the leak off pipes and t pieces and it is still hard to start if left for between 12 24 hours would it help by putting a one way fuel filter in the line to the pump or what else could it be?????????? and now the eml comes on and flickers for about 5 minutes and then stays on and then it will switch between that and the spanner after about 15 minutes driving then goes back to eml and then spanner will stay on till i turn off the car any suggestions helpful will try anything and serious lack of power when lights on