AX 1.5D starting probs

[3ps]

Yes, I am putting the multimeter probe on the plug and one on the battery earth while the others are still connected.

I never get 10.7/10.8 on the first attempt. It is always only have having tested them for a while that they all settle to that level.

What are the changes of me shearing off a glowplug. Is this engine known for it or should I be OK?

[3ps]

Just ordered 4 glowplugs and picked up a deep 10mm socket. Will updated next week thanks.

[Xantidote]

Sorry for delayed reply, but had teenage daughter to stay over the weekend. Hope the new glowplugs sort you out.

Let us know how you get on

[CGATCX25GTITURBO]

Ha, I prated like that too.... it was valve clearances! easy as never missed a beat after I did them.

[CGATCX25GTITURBO]

To test them on the car... 60 amp accessory meter in series between the supply cable 'still connected to all the glow plugs' other side of the wire to the positive on the battery.
The gauge shows 48 amps '12 each' if they're all working. 36 24 48 ETC. If there are failed plugs. each one can be tested then to find the faulty one without taking them all out.

Did you check the valve clearances?

[3ps]

Hi all,

I took them out tonight, and fitted new ones. It was easy. It was cold this morning and the car really churned but eventually caught. Battery didn't weaken.

I bench tested the ones I took out and TBH they seemed OK, but I have no reference.

Will report back in the morning!

[3ps]

OK so this morning it was nippy enough. I wouldn't have thought it was any warmer than recent mornings.

I turned on the ignition and the glow plug light came on, but went out after 3-4 seconds, as normal.
I waited until the relay clicked, about 10 seconds.
I did the same again.

The car started about churning for about 3 seconds. This is a vast improvement on recent mornings.

I would have done the relay on/off trick other mornings too, including yesterday where it churned for 30 seconds.

I'm not calling success on this yet.

Tomorrow I will try it while only letting the relay run once.

[spider]

Does sound a bit better although not quite 100%

Now its getting cold, I have to wait a couple of seconds after the light has gone out before starting it (but mine is under ECU control, something I may attend to when I get time, I have an excellent idea about that)

Still no sign of air in the pipework leading to the pump no ? , once its running from cold go and look at the pipework immediately for signs of bubbles being passed into the pump. Ideally if possible have an assistant start the car from cold while you watch.

[3ps]

I don't think it's air, as I leave it parked all day at work and it's starts on the button, no issues.
Surely if there was air ingress it would happen during the day too?

[spider]

My 205 went through a stage of doing that (ti would start OK but after it had been stood overnight it misfired slightly for a few seconds) it was dragging air in around the filter which I replaced with one from something else.

I guess its possible though, was just thinking really the "look at pipes again" is a free check.

Maybe best to do what you said and just 'glow' it once and see how well it starts tomorrow morning.

[JohnD]

I don't think your plugs are staying on for long enough. I've just been out to try mine and the warning light stayed on for six seconds and the relay cut out at 14secs. But with the sun shining and nearly lunchtime, the ambient temperature is around 12C

[3ps]

I did initially check for air, but only by pumping the hand pump in the engine bay for about a minute before doing anything, and it made no difference.

re the plugs... I am just measuring them by counting in my head.... perhaps my 3-4 seconds is 5 or 6, and perhaps the relay is staying on for close to 16 secs....

What determines how long the light stays on for if it is different from the relay??????

[spider]

The coolant temp sensor in most cases on your model. Earlier models may use ambient air sensor in the glowplug relay (not 100% on this point on a a TUD) , the idea just being the warmer the engine the less preheat time is needed.

The plugs staying powered up for a few seconds after the light has gone out is normal, and even older models like a 205D do that.

Just checked mine its about 4 maybe 5 seconds (and its about 12c here too) and the relay for about another 10 (estimate) after that but I know mine is not quite enough anyway.

[CGATCX25GTITURBO]

Mine was the same.. it had a few tight valves. after the first start it would start and start again all day long. Leave it over night and it was its stubbon self again I put up with it until I changed the head gasket 'to cure an oil leak at the front' at 130k. Did the valves changed a few shims and what a difference it hardly turned over before running

[miked]

The bit when you said the longer the glow plugs are used having a negative effect on starting ability reminded me of similar symptoms with my old Xantia some 10 tears ago.

Have you checked the battery terminals are giving a good connection? Sorry if this is obvious to you and you have ruled it out already but when I had similar issues and replacing glow plugs and battery didn't help by chance I noticed after cranking the engine that the negative battery terminal was hot, indicating a bad connection. Long time ago now but I think I ended up concluding that the terminal was miss-shaped and would never clamp up properly so replaced the terminals. Also check the other end of the main earth lead and the positive lead's starter motor connection.

As you sound like you know how to use your multimeter you could compare the volts at the top of the battery posts while cranking with a permanent live in the car to see if there is a high resistance somewhere.

Apologies in advance if I'm teaching you to suck eggs or sending you on a wild goose chase.

Mike.