Vw T25 1.6 TD Starting trouble

[Rustwagen]

Hiya people, I'm having problems starting my 1988 1.6 TD engined T25 after changing the oil and using an engine flush (possibly coincidental but i'll mention it anyway) it's decided it no longer wants to start or even try without a good blast of easy start then there usually a big cloud of grey smoke which clears straight away and then it seems to run fine, and starts fine no problem once warm. i've checked the camshaft and pump timing marks and they're fine, so i've decided in my infinite wisdom to do a compression test and take it from there (although it doesn't sound low on compression) . Can anyone tell me what readings i should hope for, or does anyone have any ideas what else it might be worth checking before pulling it to bits, i'm pretty sure it's not the head gasket as there's no water in the oil, oil in the water nor does it use any engine oil, there is black smoke when you QUICKLY increase the engine speed though, i'd be grateful for any advice.

[ermie571]

Hi Rustwagen,

sorry to hear your van's playing up.

Firstly, welcome to the nuthouse (forum)! Unfortunately, you have put this question in the wrong place....this is the area for saying hello, introducing yourself and your bus, crying over spilt milk and any other general drivel, vw or non vw related.

There is a technical forum for the van won't do sommat is should, or is doing sommat it shouldn't....several forums to choose from so pick the most applicable = yours should be in mechanical.

There is a decent search function as well...so search black smoke diesel and other such entries, and see what comes up.

Me - I do petrol and LPG...but there is a cold start lever on yours...have you tried that?
(continue your query over in technical!)

Hope this helps - forum ettiquette can be a bit weird if its your first time.

Em
xx

[keehotee]

Have you checked your glowplugs???

[KamperKev]

Have you checked your not getting air into the fuel inlet pipe somewhere. Good chance its that...
Best of luck
Kev

[Rustwagen]

There are a few small air bubbles in the pipe going from the filter upto the pump but it won't start atall not even a cough without easy start then it runs fine

[Titus A Duxass]

There are a few small air bubbles in the pipe going from the filter upto the pump but it won't start atall not even a cough without easy start then it runs fine

My money is on glow plugs.

[Rustwagen]

Checked the glow plugs, the yellow light comes on for a bit then goes off, there's a clicking off noise from the relay but all this time no live feed to the glow plugs????????????????????????

[Titus A Duxass]

Checked the glow plugs, the yellow light comes on for a bit then goes off, there's a clicking off noise from the relay but all this time no live feed to the glow plugs????????????????????????

Check the Glow Plug fuse, it's in a black box in the left hand corner of the engine bay.
The fuse is a metal strip affair, sometimes the burn out completely sometimes they just crack.

They are available from VW for a small sum.