1.9CDTi 120bhp engine area

**123rado** · 19th December 2011, 19:29

Following up from this thread, http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150134 I have now put in new bosch 5007 battery (with a higher cranking power) into the car and it starts on its own though still takes some cranking at times and spanner light still on with key at ignition but goes off once car starts.

Another problem now is that I observed engine area as in the pix below now has brown dust like it has been driven through untarred road. Can someone suggest what could have caused this please? Could this issue be related to the starting problem I have at the moment? Thanks.

**jimboy26** · 19th December 2011, 20:11

I had the same problem when my dmf was on its way out. look at the engine under tray and see if there are brown stains there. Caused by rusting iron filings from the dmf.

**GazVXLINE170** · 19th December 2011, 20:14

Worrying imo if filings are making their way from the bell housing to the engine bay. My DMF is rattling badly - been doing so for years - and I don't have that in my engine bay.

**123rado** · 19th December 2011, 20:25

DMF was changed months back but this dust has just shown up in the last one week.

**123rado** · 20th December 2011, 14:15

Someone has just mentioned that it could be water from radiator causing this. Is this possible?

**Damo77** · 20th December 2011, 16:51

I was going to suggest water from the radiator. Had a similar problem with my mondeo where one of the hoses connecting the themostat to the water pump had a minute pin ***** hole. Whilst engine was idling the pressure wasn't high enough to force the fluid out but once driving and accelerating the pressure was high enough to force the fluid through the hole and thats when we noticed the rusty coloured stains in and around the area

Give the area a good clean and try to remove the staining. Start the car and allow to warm up to normal temperature then get someone to apply some revs (with the bonnet open and see if you can see any rad fluid escaping

**123rado** · 20th December 2011, 17:20

Thanks for the suggestion. Will try that out tomorrow. Seems to be one problem after the other since I got this CDTi.

**DAVIDD88** · 20th December 2011, 17:52

I thought that as it looked like dirty water

**123rado** · 2nd January 2012, 21:28

Car is 1.9cdti 120bhp z19dt engine.

Still having a starting problem with the car. The problem started immediately after getting new DMF and clutch fitted. New parts fitted so far are glow plugs, injector seals, leak off pipes, fuel and oil filter, bosch battery.

I have disconnected the coolant temp sensor plug today and car starts up without a problem everytime I have tried starting it with fan coming at full blow. Once the plug gets connected back, the starting problem comes back.

Could this be where the starting problem lies guys? Do I need to change the coolant temp sensor or the thermostat itself as a whole or is it some other parts that need changing?

P.S. If it is any help, the dash temp gauge stays down forever but the heater still works a treat when driving. When heater is turned off, the temp gauge moves to about 75-79degrees.

Someone please help. Thanks.

**ditchp** · 2nd January 2012, 21:34

sounds like the stat is on it's way out as mine is more or less the same temp possition wise and mine is getting replaced when i do cambelt and waterpump in a few weeks