Technical Cold start. Starter motor?

[Ujiplonk]

52 plate 1.9l diesel.

Have had this problem for a few years and every garage says the same.
As soon as the mornings get a bit cold or frosty I have a nightmare trying to start it.

The battery (80 AH) has been changed and checked. Glow plugs have all been changed and after reading through a few similar posts it seems the starter motor is the next logical step.

When starting I can warm the glow plugs up to 10-15 times and it makes no difference, just sounds like it's out of breathe when trying to start and eventually will just stop. When it's a frost it can take 10-15 mins to get it going. Runs fine once it has started but sometimes it even struggles when coming home if I've had a long day.

Have taken it to 4 different garages and none have said anything about the starter motor, so thought it was worth a post.

Advice please.

 

[Andycabs]

Scudo 06 JTD. I had a new starter motor not many miles ago. Glow plugs are all testing OK by mobile mechanic (diesel expert). Just had an MOT, emissions very low. Drives smooth and starts like a dream, but first start on cold days it is the same as you are experiencing, does not want to know. Today took 3 attempts of very prolonged engine cranking before it fired up. (This included 4 key turns to warm the glow plugs before) After this no problem. Have a 90 AH battery so this is now possible, previously old battery run out of sufficient oomph trying to start. I had used Easy Start on 3 occasions with immediate effect firing...but on advise that it buggers up the injectors have not used since.

Advised by MOT engineer that once you start using "Easy Start" engines will not start without it in future...they are addicted? Old wives tale or fact?

Logically sounds like the glow plugs, but as I said these checked out OK. Wondering if their effectiveness reduces at low temperature? Or should we be looking elsewhere???

 

[trfdevon]

My van was a nightmare to start just before xmas so brought a new battery as it was cranking very slowly. didn't cure it. Took it to the local garage for a glowplug test and it was a lazy starter motor.

They fitted a new one and it spins unbelievably fast

 

[ontor]

Mine starts after 2 days in sub zero temp at the first turn of the key so your plugs are probably not getting hot. They may be fine but if they are not getting power then they will do nothing.
Check feed to them, often overlooked and often the issue. diesel engines with a strong glow and fuel plus air will burst into life.
That said, you need a fast crank over to achieve sufficient compression to generate the heat in the fuel so you also need a good battery and starter motor.
Ontor