JX 1.6 Turbo Diesel starting issue

[Rusty Dubnuts]

Evening,
I've an intermittent starting problem with my Westy. Standard 1.6TD JX engine, nothing special to it and hasn't let me down in the previous couple years ownership...however.

Recently, when wanting to come home from work, the van wouldn't start. Kicked initially as though it fired on the first turn (as it usually did) but didn't run, then would turn over easily but just not fire. A very nice man got it started by spraying "Easy Start" into the air filter while I started it over and suggested it may be weak glow plugs as it was particularly cold that day, though it had started fine after it's overnight parking that morning.

I put the battery on charge the next day (just in case as the geny light had been flickering) and it started fine for a couple of days. Then, another initial kick and then just turning over. I got it stared eventually by spraying Easy Start into the air filter then turning it over myself though it sounded a bit clunky at times when the easy start caught. Ran OK again for a couple of days then this morning, another initial kick and non-starter. Tried it again tonight and just turns over without firing.

Rather than living with a can of Easy Start in my back pocket, I thought I'd ask if anyone has had anything similar or suggestions on where to start looking?

Any help mush appreciated.

[ELVIS]

I had one that did this and got worst very quickly.

Worn rings and no compression.

Usual checks first I guess, glow plugs inc feed and relay etc, splits in fuel line etc that would allow air in and lose prime.

[ELVIS]

Also check timing belt hasn't slipped, bottom pulley is poorly.

[Rusty Dubnuts]

Weird thing is, when it starts it runs just fine which I wouldn't expect with a slipped timing?

I adjusted the alternator belt tension to stop the charge light flickering and did notice the bottom pulley appeared to have a slight wobble to it. Also replaced one of the overflow pipes as it appeared to be leaking a little, think I'll be changing the rest this weekend to see if a leak there is letting air in to the feed.

How do you check static timing to see if the belt has slipped?

[ELVIS]

As if your doing cam chap, line up TDC on flywheel thr the hole in the bellhousing, cam is set with locking bar and pin in pulley/pump.

[ajsimmo]

IMHO I think it very unlikely that there's been cambelt slippage. If it had jumped a tooth it either wouldn't run at all or would run like a bag of nails.

More likely scenarios are (as previously mentioned):
Glow plug circuit - possible intermittent loose connection (as it sometimes starts OK) but more likely just 2 or more glow plugs have failed,
Air in injection pump (loss of fuel pressure - no injection), unlikely as it would always be a pig to start after standing - charging battery up wouldn't help
Battery (or starter) getting tired, not quite spinning it over fast enough (as it starts fine for a little while after recharge)
Loss of compression (worn rings possible - any smoke issues?)
Or any combination of the above.

Last two vans I saw with these symptoms, one was all 4 glowplugs failed, new set and starts first flick every time. Other was input shaft seal on pump letting air in on cooling. Found it by pressurising fuel line with electric inline pump - fuel leaked out front of pump. New seal put in and she then started on the button every time.

[Rusty Dubnuts]

Changed the glow plugs today and replaced the return pipes and all is good. Used to get a bit of white smoke on start up as well which I don't now. The plug at No 4 was well shot on the connector.
Thanks for the advice guys. Spot on.