03 vectra dti poor starting when cold

[jono m]

hi, i have a issue with my veccy 03 dti, LS 96k mls. After the car has been stood over night or when i'm at work its a pig to start have to crank for a while then it starts and misfires, loads of grey smoke (unburnt diesel) once started will run fine untill left to stand and go cold (6ish hrs).

After reading simular probs on here i have changed leak off pipes and t peices, cleaned intake manifold and flaps, boost pressure sensor and EGR valve, changed injector seals and coolant temp sensor. checked all vac pipes and connectors. solenoid on turbo wastegate buzzes so have ordered one, but not replaced yet (no eml light). changed fuel filt and seals, also tried injector cleaner but nothing helped. done a diag and got no codes. Also changed glow plugs (ngk) and control module.

When temp is cold glow plug light comes on and car will start better (dont have to crank so much) but still loads of smoke and the misfire. Im not sure what to try next and dont want to guess at any more parts. any ideas please guys?
Sorry for the essay!
Thanks in advance for your help. Jono

[cosmic]

I read somewhere that there is a software upgrade and your car may need this, it is unfortunately a tech 2 cost that only VX seem to be able to do, good luck !

[jono m]

According to service book, had one last year when it was in for a service at vx. do you know if the update is newer that that? Thanks in advance

[WilliamLX]

My 08 1.9CDTi is hard to start when cold compared with either of the deisel Mondeo's I owned (2.0 TDDi and 2.0 TDCi). The Fords used to start instantly no matter what the temp, while the CDTi needs you to wait for the glow plug light to go out, and even then takes longer to start.

[cosmic]

I had mine done in Accrington 3 yrs ago but it still starts bad but has just started doing this (last 3 yrs), I have no idea when they started this upgrade, I am sure someone will come along and verify.