Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

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scuby
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Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

Post by scuby »

Hello all

I have read up on this seemingly common problem with varying causes: My 2003 Citroen Jumpy fitted with the non turbo 1.9D doesn't like cold starts. Once it's run a minute or so it starts on the button. Let it sit and as it cools off it gets harder to start by the hour.

The glowplugs have been replaced in the last few weeks, as has the battery as a precaution. I've just bought the car, seen the receipts and the parts are obviously new so it adds up.

I would simply concede defeat and say it's the valves that need adjusting but two things make me questino that. It's only done 156k km's, roughly 100k miles. And it has the manual primer on the block and it's easy to prime. After about 6-8 pushes it's more resistent but it never is solid.

That being said it does chuck out a cloud of white smoke on cold starts hinting at unburnt fuel. Once running it immediatly runs very well and strong.

Valves? Or perhaps a leaky diaphram?

thanks
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Re: Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

Post by RichardW »

Welcome along!

Checking the valve clearances is easy enough so you might as well do it, then you will know. Re-setting them is a bit more difficult!

If it struggles into life once it does catch, making smoke when cranking, and a big cloud when it does start, then it's probably compression related
If it just starts cleanly all of a sudden with no smoke, then it's most likely air in fuel related
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Re: Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

Post by white exec »

Have you also checked the glowplug relay (internal and external contacts)?
Each GP should be pulling about 10A (so around 40A total) - worth checking.
A Sealey clip-on 75-0-75A d.c. ammeter will allow a check (available on Amazon).

A quick check on GP action is to use 2 or 3 GP cycles before cranking. If starting is easier with multiple heating, that suggests they are not operating properly.

The priming button should go very firm after priming, but not solid. There is always some give. Yours sounds ok.
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Re: Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

Post by myglaren »

While it is probably low on the list of probabilities, do you know the make of glow plugs fitted?

There have been some comparisons made and it appears that Beru glow plugs seem to better suit PSA engines and are fitted as OEM equipment.
scuby
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Re: Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

Post by scuby »

RichardW wrote: 25 Jan 2021, 07:16 Welcome along!

Checking the valve clearances is easy enough so you might as well do it, then you will know. Re-setting them is a bit more difficult!

If it struggles into life once it does catch, making smoke when cranking, and a big cloud when it does start, then it's probably compression related
If it just starts cleanly all of a sudden with no smoke, then it's most likely air in fuel related
It does kind light off a cylinder at a time when it begins to start and you get in that half combustion half the starter turning the engine place. Within 10 seconds of that it springs to life and purrs. It does chuck out a puff of white smoke then, that clears almost immediately. It doesn't puff smoke while cranking. The smoke is white, obviously unburnt diesel, not oil or coolant.

What are the valve clearences meant to be? Same on exhaust and intake? Checked cold?

Cheers
scuby
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Re: Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

Post by scuby »

Thanks for the tips on glow plug tests.

I had done that, several cycles and prime the pump. Seems to do little. Just busy work between cranking which can feel like progress but not actually be.

I've hotwired the plugs for 20 seconds or so at a positive terminal that comes of the 4the glow plug and joins a junction that sits on the side of the intake.

Might have helped simply to get some heat in the head and get the valves just that bit warmer and give that tiny bit of clearance allowing enough air in for decent compression.

I must admit. When cranking it sounds like a gasoline motor without plugs, slightly. It has that lack of compression sound.
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Re: Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

Post by white exec »

There are full details of valve clearances (and lots else) in the Mechanic's Handbooks.
Go to
Board index > Members Area > Resources > Citroen Mechanics Handbooks (it's top of the page)
and hit your vehicle...
Jumpy = Dispatch

Booklets are pdf's, so downloadable and printable, too.
Members Area requires you to be a Forum Donor, so a small donation will give you access to this, and also to Parts diagrams/info on the forum, for all of this year and next.
Details here...
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white exec
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and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

Post by white exec »

scuby wrote: 26 Jan 2021, 09:15 I must admit. When cranking it sounds like a gasoline motor without plugs, slightly. It has that lack of compression sound.
That doesn't sound good, so worth checking the compression and valve gaps.
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Re: Another 1.9D hard start (Citroen Jumpy)

Post by CitroJim »

white exec wrote: 26 Jan 2021, 09:30 That doesn't sound good, so worth checking the compression and valve gaps.
Very much seconded... Does it emit white smoke when trying to start?

White smoke is indicative of unburned atomised fuel...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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