Technical Fiat doblo starting problem

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Technical Fiat doblo starting problem

Liamlamb

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May 19, 2013
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East Lothian
Hi there wondering if anyone has had similar problems with their doblo . Bought it a couple of months ago and the starting was poor but very intermittent . Initially thought it was a glow plug issue so gave to a garage and thy found the 1st glow plug was spinning inn the head so 3 were replace but still not happy starting . Runs fine once running but turns over 5 times before jumping to life with a ploom of white smoke . After been running even if less than a minute will start again first spin of the key . Not quite sure what else to try ? New fuel filter possibly ? Runs faultlessly once started which is making it very frustrating as its great other than starting up . Anybody got any advice were I can go from here ?

Thanks liam
 
It might be compression or a fuel injector.

Mine did this and was a pig to start in bitter weather, even though I'd had the plugs replaced. Once going it was fine and started well once warm, but like you, it was taking more and more cranks to get going from cold and the last time I drove it it finally kicked in with plume of white smoke. But I thought the battery would give out before it fired!

I had to get the AA out to get it going on two occasions towards the end and the last time he had a real problem, having to squirt something very combustable into the air intake :eek: I had diagnostics done at a dealer and an independent, and I never got a definitive answer to what was wrong. Since I had spent a fortune I'm afraid I got rid of it, but apart form the starting it was a great car and had nothing else wrong with it at all.

Sorry, I can't really help definitively, but your problem is not unique, and will need a well trained tech to sort it out I reckon.
 
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Thanks for the reply yeah this is my worry unfortunately . Looking to get fixed so I can sell either that or limited to a trade in . Don't want to spend a fortune
 
What model is it? Don't think I've missed that detail in your original post.
I'd put money on it that the the AA man squirted 'Easy Start' into the air intake. Conflicting reports on using Easy Start, but if it's a diesel, some say engines get addicted to it. I've had to use on two occasions with my Kia Sedona 2.9TDi and on both occasions it's got a dead motor firing up with no after affects.
Do you get the EML and glow plug dash lights coming on?
 
Hi there it's a 1.9 jtd with 78k if that makes any difference , I have no engine management lights or glow plug lights flashing tho .
 
Hi mate

Had the same problem with my dobby, now with 507000 on the clock

First off, check the earth strap that goes from the neg battery terminal to the front of the gearbox.... thes can corrode and cause poor starting..

If ok then check the egr valve i not stuck open.... pain in ass job but may as well clean it out when you are there

And lastly, check the butterfly flap in the housing on the right of the inlet manifold... this was the case with mine..... clogged and couldnt close propery so too much air flow at initial start

Ill check in again in abit so post and let me know how you get on
 
Brilliant thanks for getting back to me . That's exactly what I was needing a list off things too check . I'll get them looked at tomorrow and with any luck will be one off them .

Thanks liam
 
I've bought and fitted a fuel filter as I noticed it had not been done and turns out while underneath doing the earth cable which was fine , the local fiat garage has not changed either the oil filter or the air filter for a considerable time by the looks of it . I popped off the shiney metal flexy pipe that comes off the egr to the inlet manifold and it looked clear but ran out of time to strip the inlet and the entire egr so hoping to do soon . Another possibility I'm thinking off is the battery , it's the original one and the van is now 6 years old could this effect the starting ? Maybe not as sprightly as it once was ?
 
Hi mate,

Instead of buying an expensive battery, why not jump start the vehicle first thing??

I dont normally recomend jumping, but it wont do any damage asyour battery is not discharged.... this will let you know if its a lack of go juice thats causing the fault. If it still struggles, then you know its something else

Post with any news and ill keep looking here so i can try to help
 
Okay so tried to bump start of my girlfriends car but don't think there was much difference . Driving me nuts and don't want to end spending a fortune on silly things but if the garage has not been putting in the correct oil could this hamper the performance also ? Along with a possibly prehistoric oil and air filter all be contributing . :bang:
 
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