Van's not starting

[kevtherev]

Found it, hubby says he always wondered what it was for.

*snigger*

how embarrassing

[binka]

Bloody van's not starting again even with the cold start lever pulled out.

[R0B]

did you check the fuse i mentioned

[armyphil]

I've been using mine in this cold spell it works a treat glow plugs on two cycles then cold start lever, leave it on till the end of the road then all is peachy.

If you don't know what things are pull poke twist till you find out, a little gem from phil.

Now don't forget pull poke twist

[T'Onion]

Take the battery off and put it on charge for a couple of days , You have already said that the mechanic matey has had it running so its not buggered

does sound like the glow plugs are at fault ,

[Red Westie]

Really does sound like failing glow plugs but doooooo check that fuse (although if it started the other day it is unlikely)
When new, the glow plugs quickly heat up a nice orange the last 2-3 centimeters of their length. As they get tired they take longer to heat up, don't glow as hot and often just get hot on the end, they can also fail altogether. Glow plugs only come on for a few seconds from cold but without them, the engine just doesn't start. The glow plug relay varies the length of time the plugs operate depending on outside temperature so this fault could also be a faulty relay. Good earth connections are also very important, battery to chassis and chassis to gearbox (braided cable as mentioned) need to be in good fettle (lots of amps trying to flow) TIP....you can add an extra earth.
Martin

[Oldiebut goodie]

Sounds like the usual glow plugs not working scenario.

[R0B]

well.any update on this...i hate it when this happens

[T'Onion]

well.any update on this...i hate it when this happens

check out her other thread Rob , yes in short

[R0B]

other thread?

[binka]

Sorry, yes we got it started after putting loads of hot water bottles on the engine for a few hours. Took it round to the garage in the village and it was the glow plugs. There were only 3 and a half there and the 3 whole ones were knackered. So it has new ones and I got the van back on Saturday. Its been for its MOT today and passed.

[R0B]

jolly good.always best to finish a thread with the result..

[noggintom]

Just thought I'd add a quick comment in case anyone else has troubles in the cold...

I live in Norway and so starting in -12 is often an issue! Therefore I use the cold start lever quite a lot

Over here people buy diesel warmers as add on's for the really cold weather (-20) but shouldn't be needed in UK! I have had the plugs on mine tested and they are okay, but sometimes it needs the cold start lever pulled out and then after the glow plug light goes out turn off the ignition and repeat until the light goes out. I do this 3 or 4 times quite often just to be sure and generally try without the cold start lever first. It then starts no prob's.

In the gararge at work I try to avoid the cold start lever as it causes a small 'smoke bomb' on first start Therefore, I prefer the 3-4 (or 6-7 if really cold) glow plugs light up option. I guess the plugs wear out as they get older anyhow as said above.

Just a thought for anyone reading still!