2.0 dti doesn't start as quick as it used to?

[Thom]

when i bought my casr, regardless of temperature as long as the glow plug light was out on the dash the car would start almost instantly. Since then i've done about 15000 miles, and serviced the car twice, including oil, all filters and two new sets of glow plugs (because the first set were inferior). I've also cleaned the inlet manifold and EGR, boost sensor etc. Ive ALSO replaced the right hand side intercooler pipe because it had split, other than this ive done nothing to the engine.

When i turn the car over from stone cold, it takes 3 or 4 attempts at turning over before it'll catch and then for a second or two it'll run rough as if only one or two pots are running, then it may continue to run roughish for about 20seconds after. it does of course chuck out a whole lot of blue smoke once it ignites (unburnt diesel i assume).

Any idea what my problem is, because i'd like it back to how it was, even though technically this isnt causing me a problem in day to day life.

[Innes]

when you cleaned the inlet manifold did you bleed the fuel line properly? Are the leak off pipes in good condition as if they are perishing can let air into the system and cause trouble starting?

[Thom]

Hi i replaced the leak offs too for new braided hoses and i bled the fuel through using the carb cleaner through the airbox method!

[wallace78]

Could be ur glow plugs!!!!

[Innes]

Hi i replaced the leak offs too for new braided hoses and i bled the fuel through using the carb cleaner through the airbox method!

Bled the fuel line through the airbox with carb cleaner method? That wouldnt bleed the air from the fuel line. When you say you cleaned the inlet manifold do you mean you did like in my how2 (see link in signature below) or just spreyed carb cleaner through the intake system? Hopefully you did this past the MAF as its a sensitive sensor and can be damaged by getting carb cleaner and other residue on it.

[bigmac]

Battery or starter i thought my battery was ok until i put a new one on there lol it cranked 3 to 4 times as fast

[peadar]

I have to agree with bigmac

[Thom]

Ah the battery! why didnt i think of that! It is holding a good charge and my opcom says its all good but perhaps that is it!

What are my options, simply a new'un or is there a proper way to test this?

[Celes]

To see if the battery is good check the voltage when cranking the cold engine. Our DTi has a crappy battery and the voltage drops below 9-10V when cranking...

[Thom]

Multimetre i assume?

The only tool i didn't bring with me to uni :P