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General 1.7 Turbo Diesel Struggles to start on flat

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General 1.7 Turbo Diesel Struggles to start on flat

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chrisdepper

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Hi all,

My 1.7 TD struggles to start on the flat. The battery is fine and the engine cranks when I turn the key. I have to pump the accelerator pedal to get it to start (it can take 4 or 5 key turns of around 5 seconds each).

However, if I park with the front of the car facing down a slope, it starts first time with no problem. There's plenty of fuel in it by the way.

This has only been happening for the last few days. I always wait for the coil light to go out before trying to start the engine.

Once it does start, it runs fine with no other indication of a problem.

Any ideas what could be the cause of this?

Thanks a lot.
 
Could be the fuel filter is dirty/leaking or sucking air from somewhere.
 
I did wonder if it might be dirt in the filter (not very technical when it comes to cars!). Can I clean the fuel filter or do I have to change it? Also, where do I find it? Is it in the main engine compartment? This is a two-seat model by the way.
 
Sounds like air in the system. Pumping the pedal will not do anything. Are there any leaks near the filter? How are the return pipes from the injectors? If the return pipes are wet
replace them.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the pointers. I'll check tomorrow (it's pouring down with rain at the moment).
 
chrisdepper said:
Hi all,

My 1.7 TD struggles to start on the flat. The battery is fine and the engine cranks when I turn the key. I have to pump the accelerator pedal to get it to start (it can take 4 or 5 key turns of around 5 seconds each).

However, if I park with the front of the car facing down a slope, it starts first time with no problem. There's plenty of fuel in it by the way.

This has only been happening for the last few days. I always wait for the coil light to go out before trying to start the engine.

Once it does start, it runs fine with no other indication of a problem.

Any ideas what could be the cause of this?

Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...

hi, a little clarification..

does it spin over quickly on the starter.. or is it SL O W to turn?

if it's turning slowly that's electrical - maybe a loose / damaged battery to starter cable.

the fuelling suggestions are a good place to look - if it's turning over reasonably fast.

Charlie
 
If it will run at all then that will clear any air out of the high pressure fuel system. But if it's leaking back in when it's stopped you will have trouble starting it next time. Low pressure fuel system leaks are hard to trace as diesel doesn't drip out, it's air that leaks in. The bleed pump is a good place to look, a punctured diaphragm or split rubber will cause this trouble. If the pump is a rubber bulb you squeeze with your hand, just replace it, about 10 euros or so. get the new one the right way round !
 
One problem I had with my Punto mk1 60 TDS, was the leak off pipes at the front of the engine. They are the braided pipes, that go from each injector. Did cause me a few issues, just check they aren't leaking or damaged.

The pipe should be easily found, at a local car parts shop. Usually on a roll, that you can cut to size.

Hope you get your car fixed, and it's something easy and cheap to replace!
 
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