Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 28 Jan 2010, 18:27
binka wrote:Found it, hubby says he always wondered what it was for.
*snigger*
how embarrassing
*snigger*
how embarrassing
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Van's not starting
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*snigger*
how embarrassing
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 30 Jan 2010, 11:38
Bloody van's not starting again even with the cold start lever pulled out.
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 01 Feb 2010, 17:33
did you check the fuse i mentioned
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 01 Feb 2010, 20:12
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
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
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 01 Feb 2010, 20:54
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 ,
does sound like the glow plugs are at fault ,
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 01 Feb 2010, 21:29
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
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
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 01 Feb 2010, 21:35
Oldiebut goodie wrote:Sounds like the usual glow plugs not working scenario.
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 09 Feb 2010, 01:30
well.any update on this...i hate it when this happens
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 09 Feb 2010, 10:57
R0B wrote:well.any update on this...i hate it when this happens
check out her other thread Rob , yes in short
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 09 Feb 2010, 14:33
other thread?
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 09 Feb 2010, 14:40
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. 
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 09 Feb 2010, 14:48
jolly good.always best to finish a thread with the result.. 
Re: Van's not starting
Posted: 11 Feb 2010, 09:42
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!
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!