307 SW 1.9HDi '53 plate, Slow starting when Cold??

[Timmo]

Good evening peeps!
Hope you don't mind me sneaking over from the citroen side!

Mothers got a 307 SW 1.9HDi on a 53 plate, cars only done 40k (she bought it with 32k), she mentioned its been slow starting, so I suggested counting to to ten after the glow plug lights out which has meant apart from the latest cold spell its fired up First turn, last couple of mornings when Really cold has taken a couple of goes to get going, normally fires up on the 3rd attempt,

I wondered if the pre heaters not working quite so well?? Or if the battery doesn't Quite have the grunt to fire it over fast enough when Really cold??

Any thoughts or ideas what may be causing it?

Many thanks in advance,

Timmo.

[Peter.N.]

Hi Timmo

Is it turning over reasonably fast, as that is a necessity for prompt starting. I would think the engine is similar to my 406 2.0 Hdi and that starts instantly without waiting for the glow plugs even in this weather! Although it does sometimes stop again. The starter turns it over at a rate of knots though if yours doesn't it could be the battery on the way out or the starter itself.

Peter

[Timmo]

Thanks fella, she's down with me at the mo so will have a listen when we all aim out later!

[spider]

I'd probably go with the slow turning too, especially this weather (talking of which my battery is about dead too) , it does need to crank at a decent speed really.

I guess it could be bad main battery leads / earths or a bad starter motor but that's a bit unlikely.