1997 806TD not starting ECU or Diesel pump?

[white exec]

I take it you've checked that the stop solenoid is actually being powered up when the IGN is turned on?
And what was the result of checking that 12v was getting to the glowplugs when IGN switched on?

You need definite answers to these, before attempting heavy metal surgery.

[thomascrook]

Dear All
Thank you for you replies
Well after quite a bit of time we managed to isolate the problem in that we can get the car started with easy start and after that if we leave the car running and then turn it off it will fire straight away
If we leave the car for ten mins it will turn over and over and then start after 10 seconds
The longer we leave the car the harder and longer it takes to start?
We are not mechanics but everything points to the diesel pump is not working correctly?
Any ideas please?
Thanks
Tom

[CitroJim]

That smacks of very low compression. The more Easystart you use the worse the problem will be come. They say that engines become 'addicted' to Easystart. What actually happens is that each use causes more damage through detonation.

You need to investigate further the overall health of the engine.

[ekjdm14]

Valve clearances checked yet, as Jim said earlier these do tighten up the colder the engine gets... After making sure the glow plugs are getting power and in working order, I would make sure the valves have clearance when cold (even if not in spec, at least some clearance would be good).

My semi-educated guess (no more than that though) would be that fuel drain-back or tight valve clearances led to bad starting, then easy start came into the equation and the explosions from this through slightly open valves started burning back the valve heads & seats leading to even tighter clearances, more ether, tighter clearances ad infinitum...

Compression and leakdown checks would be a very sensible course of action IMO

I do have a lot on at the moment, but if you're determined to save the car and not desperate for it back in a fixed timeframe you could tow it to us in Congleton and I'll give it a going through as & when I get a moment. No charge, I just like chewy problems and saving old cars...

You could even borrow the 406 if you wanted to tax the thing, MoT expires in march but needs a couple of patches on the sills to get through another... let us know anyway (the missus will love me haha!) EDIT-: MoT is actually 9th of May so bit longer to run if you needed alternative transport...

[CitroJim]

My semi-educated guess (no more than that though) would be that fuel drain-back or tight valve clearances led to bad starting, then easy start came into the equation and the explosions from this through slightly open valves started burning back the valve heads & seats leading to even tighter clearances, more ether, tighter clearances ad infinitum....

I'd go along with that absolutely and they represent the first two things to check...