General Ducato 1.9D (2000) glow plug query

[donnie83]

Hi, my 2000 reg 1.9d ducato is not starting when cold, starts fine when the engine is warm but have been reduced to bumping it in the morning.

Blows out big cloud of smoke when starting cold but generally ok when warm.

is it likely to be glow plugs and how difficult a job is it to change them on this model?
THanks

 

[mikey72]

I've the 1.9td.
Cloud of white smoke?
Check the bleed off pipes first, if they leak, it's a pig to start when cold. Usually they'll be damp, and black coloured if they are, as opposed to dry and a grey/black.

I've changed the glow plugs, be careful not to snap them, lots of oil first, and rocking back and to to shift them.
Worth checking the control box is working by putting a meter on them, or connect a bulb from one to earth, and check they're switching on as well.

 

[donnie83]

cheers mate, no the cloud of smoke tends to be grey/ black, not looked specificall yat the pipes but have had a rummage about and wasn't aware of them being damp, will get a look tomorrow though.

Is it quite easy to break the glow plugs, never had to change them before?

 

[paddyponchero]

Most glow plugs are snappable because the large conductor down the middle limits the thickness and strength of the plug.

Use good penetrating oil a couple of times over that days before you remove them, get the engine nice and hot as it helps to loosen the thread, use a small 1/4" rachet so you can really feel whats going on and you should be fine.

 

[donnie83]

hi all, managed to get a wee look at it at last but guess what, couldn't even see the glow-plugs, are they under the exhaust manifold, and is it easy enough to remove?
thanks

 

[paddyponchero]

If it has a glow plugs should be under injectors with the wire going horizontally from that across the front of the engine.

 

[donnie83]

that's what i was looking for, but couldn't see

 

[mikey72]

I've the 1.9td from a couple of years earlier.
The glow plugs are obvious, if you have then on the front of the engine, you'll see them.
I believe some engines had a plug in the inlet manifold, from reading on here, but no idea what engine, or what year.
Hopefully someone can help you out.

 

[paddyponchero]

that's what i was looking for, but couldn't see

May not have any you'd see a flat circular area on the head where they would be machined in if fitted.

 

[Crossingkeeper]

I believe some engines had a plug in the inlet manifold, from reading on here, but no idea what engine, or what year.

The 2.5 TDi engine used in the Ducato from, I believe, 1995 to 2002 has a 'thermostart' located just inside the inlet manifold intake instead of glowplugs.

However this only comes into play in very cold weather (< 4 degrees centigrade) so wouldn't be the cause of any starting problems at this time of year.

 

[donnie83]

this is the engine

 

[Crossingkeeper]

The layout of the 1.9 is quite different to the 2.5 but I assume that the large rubber pipe carries the inlet air and connects to the inlet manifold at the front of the engine.

If your engine does have a thermostart this is likely to be fitted in the manifold just past where the rubber pipe is connected. It would have a fuel pipe and an electrical supply connected, though it is difficult to tell this from the photo. If you can easily get the pipe off, you should be able to see the nozzle and igniter protruding into the manifold.