General Technical Questions and Answers last answered over 1 year ago.
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Strange one this .... my bus has always started on the first turn never a problem, even before the engine re-build four years ago it was as reliable as repeats of The Great Escape on Christmas day!
The starter motor packed up the other week and I replaced it with a reconditioned one from G&S. For good measure I also replaced the battery which was getting a bit tired. Sure enough the new starter spins the engine over a treat (much faster than the old & larger starter). However ..... when starting from cold, instead of firing into life immediately it turns over for about 10 seconds before the engine splutters into life. Could this be down to not enough fuel getting through as the engine is turning over faster? Can't emphasise enough, there were no problems with starting before I replaced the motor, (when warm it starts up fine). Its a 1.6 n/a diesel.
Greatful for your thoughts.... Keith
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
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New starter could be a red herring. I would check that your glowplug system is OK first, check the 50A fuse and then if that`s OK you need to check each glowplug is working individually. They can be checked out with a meter to see how much current they are pulling. Check the Wiki for the info
The yellow light comes on indicating the glow plugs are heating up so i would guess the fuse is ok but will check though .... can only find info on Wiki about replacing the glow plugs though I am sure I can figure it out with a volt meter, thanks will invesitigate. Any thoughts as to why I had no problems before
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
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Another possibility is that theres air getting into the fuel system. Ive had this problem with my van since I got it. Pump timing has been done, injectors cleaned, glow plugs replaced and it still does it. I have to put it down to an air leak in the fuel line. Ive lived with it thus far but Ill sort it out next time I get the chance.
another option,count how many seconds your light stays on for,then lift the engine lid and count how many seconds before the glow plug relay clicks,sometimes you will find the glow plug light goes out before the relay has finished.but after four yrs since the rebuild for what they cost i would replace the glows anyway
Sound advice all round thanks everyone G&S charge about 25 of the queens pounds for a set of glow plugs so may be due for replacement in any case. Will explore the other options listed and post pack with the result, Keith
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
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Member number 5509
spannerboy wrote:another option,count how many seconds your light stays on for,then lift the engine lid and count how many seconds before the glow plug relay clicks,sometimes you will find the glow plug light goes out before the relay has finished.but after four yrs since the rebuild for what they cost i would replace the glows anyway
Its supposed to do that, with the idea in mind that the plugs stay warm right up until you start turning over the engine.
That appears to be correct, have tested it and the yellow light goes out after about 4-5 seconds with the relay clicking off after another 3-4 seconds. Should I still change the glow plugs? Looks a bit inaccessable
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
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Sounds to me like the relay is switching out to soon, mine stays on a lot longer than that from cold, the light goes out after approx. 10 secs. Try removing the blue/white wire from the temp. sender unit on the water outlet pipe from the top rear of the cylinder head, fasten it up so it can`t earth itself, then switch on and see if the glow light stays on longer / indefinitely. If it does I would say that the temp. sender is knacked. If not, then the relay is faulty.
Joker, the light stays on indefinitely when the lead is removed from the tempreture sender. Still reluctant to start .... when I re-connect the lead the relay clicks off.
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
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I think you need to be checking / replacing the glowplugs. Just started mine, it`s been parked for days and it`s bl**dy cold here at the moment. The light goes off after approx. 10 secs and it fires up instantly. The symptoms you`ve got sounds like plugs to me. Bit fiddly to do but I would just get a full set and do `em.
Glo plugs a fiddle, don't overtorque them, try to borrow the correct tool for the job, that does the busbar nuts as well as the plugs themselves, long cranked ratchet spanner with small end being magnetic.
May have to remove No. 1 or No.2 Injector first...
I don't know much about engines but I can confirm that changing glowplugs is fiddly. And it makes you smile when it's done. Did me, anyway. BIG result.
I like the sound of HM's tool, but if you don't have one handy get (or be) a woman. Small hands, see? Between us, we did it without removing any injectors. She was particularly useful for nuts and washers that got dropped.
Mocki gave me a great tip, to quickly check if there's any power getting to the glowplugs: see if the interior light dims when you turn the key.
Member 1045 – 1986 1.6 n/a Diesel conversion (JK, probably from a Caddy)
G&S charge about 25 of the queens pounds for a set of glow plugs so may be due for replacement in any case. Will explore the other options listed and post pack with the result, Keith 
