hot starting problem with diesel

Hi hope someone can help. This has happened a few times now. I'm waiting in a que or just stationery with the engine idling, maybe for 5 -10 mins. I switch the engine off. When i try to restart it wont. Twice it took maybe 10 mins before starting again, but the last time we had to tow start it - and then it was fine. 1997 Marea Diesel 1.9t 100. Newish glow plugs. Does anyone recognise the symtom and know a cure please? squeezing the primer doesnt seem to work. ALso i think i've seen this query before -are manuals available for the diesel - which manufacturer made these engines - assuming its not actually a fiat motor? thanks for any help.

Hi mate, and WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!!

Sounds like classic crank sensor failure to me. Symptoms are usually that when the car is up to temp it will cut out, and then will turn over fine but not restart until it has been left for a while to cool down slightly, then will start and drive fine until it cuts out again next time. Dead easy to fix...sensor will cost around £30. Very common

Hope that helps,
Alan

another vote for crank sensor

HI - thanks for your help. got a diagnostics and your right - the rpm sensor came up as 1 culprit. Changed it tonight and thought it was fixed but didnt start still for a couple of times. Couple of other faults - EGR valve- which seems unlikely as its such a low tech looking thing - got one off a scrapper so i'll try that too. The other intermittent fault was the INjector with the sensor - no 1. That looks like a total pest to remove. i see you can get special sockets - is there any traps to fall into when trying to remove this ? i dont want to break stuff. And finally another query for any of you guys - a small circular thing bolted onto the top of the fuel pump ( with a wire coming out it ) ticks very fast when the glow plugs are warming and a bit when running - is this normal ( its always done it certaintly ) or is this maybe a problem too. If you can help me with any of this it would be much appreciated. Thanks v much. PS shop 4 parts were good at supplying competitive rpm sensor - thanks again.

when fiat say "rpm sensor" they mean the crank sensor not the cam sensor. most people call the cam sensor the rpm sensor, so it is easy to cause confusion. did you change the crank sensor or the cam sensor?

the ticking thing is the pump relay, dont worry about it.

removing an injector isnt too difficult. the special bits are ribe, available at any motorfactor.

As said. Crank position sensor.

p.s. Fiat did make the engine, and most of the components on the engine!

yeah but they didnt invent the names of the parts, and they dont make the crank sensor. fiat only call it an rpm sensor because its a direct translation from italian. i dont care what they call it in italy, in english its a crankshaft position sensor or TDC sensor, not an rpm sensor or phase sensor.

hi - cheers folks.
it was the rpm sensor ( just under the starter - excellent help in the how to section ). Alas it still isnt cured. just ran it for half hour. stopped, then started again fine - then turned off and then it wouldnt start. it does seem fine on cold starts now at least.

The injectors are pretty pricey - will that be the cause do you think - and thanks about the RIBE - but what size are they - and are the sockets with the holes cut in the side not the right thing - i saw them on the web and they say suitable for fiat etc but i can see me buying half the sockets in the uk before i got one that really fits. the no 1 injector is different in shape to the other 3 too. sorry for going on - i wouldnt mind if the thing had blown up - its the fact it runs fine once it starts ! cheers. ive still not changed the egr thing yet.

it wont be an injector. engines start more easily when warm if there is a dodgy injector.

it could be the main earth strap from gearbox to chassis if the starter motor turns more slowly when it fails to start. is that the case?

hi - Some feedback.
Fait did a diagnosis - I.D.'d the above issues. Interestingly, when the the car was/ would start i could disconect the EGU, RPM, injector sensor and other electrical connections around the fuel pump - and it made no difference - it still started.
Anyway, 2 garages diagnostics later, they couldnt fix or identify the problem. A third garage - a diesel specialist this time who was recommended, was going to do yet another diagnostics - so i didnt bother. i should perhaps have tried the " diesel specialst " route first. the 2nd garage " opened" the injectors to check air , but the problem was still there.
I wiggled the g'box earth - which was on tight though, disconected and reconected all cable sockets around the fuel system, replaced RPM, EGR units, replaced fuel filter - and double checked it was tight. the Fiat dealer put the new filter on - but i think they'd left the drain plug a bit loose - so i tightened it up.
It starts ( and i hope will continue ) each time now. SO not sure which was to blame - but i think air was getting in thru the fuel filter as the previous filter looked pretty "wet" too. The area is now dry. thanks for all the help guys - now just to get the MOT done !. cheers.