ZX TD cold start problem (Sorted!)

Sl4yer · Unread post by **Sl4yer** » 31 May 2004, 04:25

I've had my ZX TD (1995, 87K)a couple of months now. It has always started straight away from cold (in fact it starts quicker when cold than hot!) but spluttered for a few seconds. I suspected that the difficult-to-change glowplug was faulty, so I got a new set from GSF and had a local garage change them (and also service the engine).
This morning, the car would not start! It fired very briefly straight away, but didn't take. Further cranking produced no firing at all. Pumping the primer didn't make any difference.
Eventually I got it going after turning the ignition on and off three or four times (energising the glow plugs) and hitting the accelerator as soon as it fired.
I'm sure the plugs are drawing current - after the ignition has been on for 20 or 30 seconds, I can hear the heater blower increase in speed (presumably when the glowplugs switch off). Once the engine is running, there are no problems. Idle speed appears correct (1000, going down to 850 when hot). I can only think that this problem relates to something the garage did, because it started first time before!
Any ideas?

Dave Burns · Unread post by **Dave Burns** » 31 May 2004, 15:34

That sounds like air in the pump to me if it fired for a few seconds then nothing, a problem with heaters and it would hardly have fired at all, once air has got into the pump it can be a bit stubborn to get out of the high pressure cylinder depending on the orientation of the car to any slope, and where the engine has stopped in its cycle.
Do you know what plugs were supplied, make and number.
Before trying to cold start again, pump the rubber bulb and not how many squeezes you get before resistance is felt, do it with the ignition on, see what happens.
Dave

Sl4yer · Unread post by **Sl4yer** » 31 May 2004, 21:38

Thanks for the reply Dave. I'm beginning to think you're right.
I've all but eliminated a glowplug problem now (after testing with a multimeter). The glowplugs were the Beru ones from GSF. I'm not sure which number.
The firing I mentioned was not even for a few seconds - more like just once!
As a last resort I tried pumping the fuel primer while my father turned the engine over - it started after about 5 seconds. (This morning it took about 25 seconds of continuous cranking to start, then ran perfectly).
It will be going back to the garage next weekend, but what can they have done wrong to make it like this? It was much better before, and I can't see it being a coincidence!

Unread post by **philhoward** » 31 May 2004, 22:08

If they've had to remove (or even disturb) a pipe to get at the bu66er of a glow plug, then it only takes the smallest little crack or air leak to allow the air in (but not necessarily the fuel out...). Reminds me; got to do mine!

oilyspanner · Unread post by **oilyspanner** » 31 May 2004, 23:14

Sounds like mine, starts after priming bulb is squeezed until resistance is felt, fail to do that and it will crank until the battery is flat, air leak somewhere.
Stewart

Sl4yer · Unread post by **Sl4yer** » 01 Jun 2004, 02:34

Thanks guys!
Resistance is always felt at the priming bulb - I can always feel the fuel...it never gets firm though. Is that normal? It has always started so far, albeit after a lot of cranking (embarassing and noisy to the neighbours!). It only started quickly when I squeezed the priming bulb whilst attempting to start the engine - that might be a fluke! I'll be trying that again next weekend (when I next see it) to give more clues.
I'm sure nothing is fundamentally wrong with it - once its going its good as gold! Sadly, I just wish I hadn't bothered with the service now! I'll see what the response of the garage is when I call them tomorrow.

aido · Unread post by **aido** » 01 Jun 2004, 03:13

my zx has bosch pump and the glow plugs are a right bugger to get at,they dont design stuff with servicing in mind do they! Although the glow plugs on lucas equipped engines are easier to get to aren't they?[:)]

Sl4yer · Unread post by **Sl4yer** » 12 Jun 2004, 03:32

Well, the garage sorted it. It was the braided pipe from the fuel filter to the pump. Mine appeared to be the original one, and apparently they are prone to harden and crack. Then the crack (albeit small) can't be seen because of the braiding. The main man at the garage said they would normally change it as a matter of course anyway!
Its good as gold again now. Must arrange a trip to Allards sometime soon!
Thanks for the info guys. Although I don't do a lot of work on it myself, I like to know what to expect! [:)]