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[Northern_Mike]

But I am all 3 of those!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Hell Razor5543]

GreedyMike?

[myglaren]

Supernortherncrankymike is it then ?

[citronut]

Thanks Mike .... that helps a lot.

Malc ... youre getting confused, too many 'Mike's for you to track

it dont take a lot Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike and Robert Mike :spock:

[MikeT]

Hey, I'm not always cranky.

Take today for instance. I rechecked for the engine timing fault now I've made several trips and I'm happy to report it's not returned so I consider that now fixed.

[CitroJim]

Hey, I'm not always cranky.

Only when dealing with cranky crank pulleys Mike...

Take today for instance. I rechecked for the engine timing fault now I've made several trips and I'm happy to report it's not returned so I consider that now fixed.

Good news but still keep an eye on it Mike

[KP]

Sounds a lot like Mike to me....

[MikeT]

Since replacing the head gasket several years back I've been somewhat pleased the car's always started on first crank... until today when it showed no interest at all in firing up.

Despite multiple glow plug cycles, fuel pump priming and foot on accelerator it had no intent at all, not a hint. Only through sheer bloody-mindedness relentlessly hammering the poor old starter motor did it eventually begin to (mis)fire (and subsequently stall) did I manage to get it running and create the expected massive billowing of smoke, indicating wholesale failure of the glow plug circuit (as opposed to one or two plugs failing at the same time).

Does anyone know off-hand where the key points of the system are and what connections/fuses/relays I need to be checking? A quick voltage test of the supply bus showed a meagre drop from 12.5v to 12.1v when ignition is turned on (and glow plug extinguishes immediately due to car thoroughly warmed up). I can't get a better reading until it's cooled down and that won't be likely until the morning.

[MikeT]

Tested again tonight and got a voltage drop from 12.3v to 11.8v when ignition on so it looks like glow plug replacement tomorrow. Spare set of Beru's waiting, just need to find my adjustable spanner and I'm golden, right?

[myglaren]

Check the glow plug relay (no, I haven't a clue where it is).
My son's 306 had similar symptoms and it was the connection to the glow plug relay that was corroded.
His was behind the battery. Yours may well not be.

[CitroJim]

Check the glow plug relay (no, I haven't a clue where it is).

Good call Steve

It's just up by the fusebox and earthing plate in the engine bay. A square'ish box...

[MikeT]

Check the glow plug relay (no, I haven't a clue where it is).

Good call Steve

It's just up by the fusebox and earthing plate in the engine bay. A square'ish box...

Agreed.

According to Citroen, my tests show the preheat relay/timer is "OK" but it's worth taking a looksee now you mention it Steve.

I was of course joking about only needing an adjustable spanner to replace the glows. I'm dreading the contortions I need to perform to not only get sufficient access and leverage to each plug (especially #4) but to ensure I don't lose small parts in the abyss of the engine or the deep crevice under the IP.

[CitroJim]

Mike, to make the job easy you need a 12mm cranked ring, a lump of blu-tak, a small 8mm ring, a decent piece of rag and a length of iron wire..

The cranked ring is your tool of choice to undo the glows, the 8mm to loosen the wiring terminal nut and the blu-tak to catch and hold the small nut..

Stuff the rag behind the pump to catch possible escapees and attach the wire to the new ones to help guide them in and to give something to retrieve them if they try to make a bid for freedom. The wire acts as a leash.

Finally, do the glows with the engine a little warm. That'll expand the ally around them and make them easier to undo.

With the right tools it's not a bad job, especially on a lovely day like today

[MikeT]

Jim I guess you'd forgotten, I've done this once before and was ready with four replacement nuts if need be. As it happened, only one got away but that was down to my apprentice who "knows it all" already and took his eye off the ball at the crucial point.

Ended up using an 8mm ring spanner and socket, 12mm ring spanner and socket (dependant on plug position), telescopic magnet and blue-air freshner. and the start on first-crank capability is again restored. Also pleased to report, judging by the condition of the removed glows, the 4 injectors spray pattern is still good. Tested pre and post heat system before and after, all good.

[CitroJim]

Mike, that's great Well done, excellent!

Just one nut lost is not bad at all