Starting woes...

[sternal]

Here's a recording from this morning this is what its like with cold pump or without...

I await your comments

Ps I wont give up my day job to become a camera man !

http://vid1354.photobucket.com/albums/q ... 1cf1b5.mp4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sternal]

Any experts listened to my dodgy recording ? The second one is the better one

Its going to see mr army mechanic in a few weeks but would like to go with as much info as possible

[Ads1987]

If it's like my 1.7 diesel then you'll need to pull the cold start lever out everytime you want to start it when you jump in unless you have just driven it.

The glow plug light should come on for a couple of seconds and you should put the clutch in when starting to give the starter less weight to turn, it's best not to touch the accelerator as it should start without any extra messing.

It's best to carry out a process of Elimination and check the various parts of the ignition system, the glow plug light should stay on for a certain amount of time, you can test the feed to the relay, the plugs etc

This link is brilliant!

http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/GlowPlug.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As it runs fine once it's warmed up then I would thought its probably linked to the glow plugs somehow but I'm in no way an expert!

Hope it helps

[ajsimmo]

If, after testing, it's not the glow plugs then look for an air leak at the injection pump - especially the drive shaft seal. Can let air seep in overnight making starting difficult until it self-bleeds by cranking.

[sternal]

thanks guys

[Ralf85]

Let us know what your garage discovers. Will be good to share.

[sternal]

It's going in at some point next week so will post the findings

[sternal]

I started the van with this method that I read on the brickyard

So, cold morning, jump in, go for glow plugs as glow plug light goes out gently pull on the lever and crank the engine, you will find that the lever comes out easier as the engine turns. pull the lever out enough to obtain a smooth idle

Van started pretty much first time ! Not sure if it's because it's mild.

So tomorrow will try starting not using this method and on Sunday using this method.

If it starts easier this way would you still be thinking glow plugs are the problem ???

[sternal]

Spoke to mechanic and he said even doing it that method which you shouldn't have to in this weather, try tomorrow without and see what happens he still says glo plugs

[123-jn]

how many miles has it done? It certainly needs the glow plugs whipping out and checking, you can get away with putting them in a vice and using jump cables from a car battery. They should start to glow red within a couple of seconds make sure none take longer than the others and make sure the tips glow hottest. Replace any knackered ones. Check the glow plug circuit on the van with a volt meter Make sure it energises. With the plugs back in make sure it still energises!! I'm not sure whether T25's have a post heat phase?( Continue to glow for a few seconds after start up to keep the engine smooth)
I have had lots of citroen XUD9 equipped vehicles and eventually after alot of miles as the cold compression drops off they become lumpy starters. Eventually they become very difficult to start from cold. (yours doesnt sound lumpy it just stops)
Having said that my ZX 1.9 had done 280,000 miles and still started perfectly in the cold. My 1.9 turbo engine that I put in an LDV pilot camper had only done 160,000 miles when it had to have a head job which restored the compression right back up.
Is the cold start timing advance cable operated on the T25? If so make sure it is operating the lever fully. MIne was electronic on the LDV operated by temperature switch in the cooling system. It operated with anything less than 60 degrees. So use it for every cold start!!
P.S dont tighten the glow plugs too tight as it damages the shaft and kills them.
It sound to me as if it is starting on all 4 cylinders (with glowplug failure this is not usually the case) but then it fails to continue this sound far more like an advance problem or a post heat problem? You need maximum advance until it runs smooth with minimum smoke. Check the glow plug relay is providing post heat (if it is supposed to )