Technical Marea 1.9td 1998 starting problem

[paul33]

Hi
Can anyone help me? I have a 1.9 td weekend i have a problem with starting it when it is cold, it turns over for at least 30 secs before starting. When it is started i have no problems. I have changed the filter, glow plugs checked the voltaged on the battery what could it be?? I noticed the glow plug light does flashes on and off after starting (sometimes) but goes off after 10 secs. The only other thing I could think off is the timing however i had a new cam belt on approx 6 months ago and this problem has only just started. I am convinced it is something to do with the glow plugs but the garage i take it to are clueless.
Does anyone have any ideas
Thanks
Paul

 

[RS Pilot]

Check for air in the fuel system. Bleed the fuel filter using the screw on the top and then try to start the car to see if it takes less time to start. If you're getting air in it should be a simple fix - check tightness of the fittings before and after the pump.

Unless you're in the mountains of Australia or New Zealand doing a bit of summer skiiing you shouldn't need the glow plugs to start the engine at this time of year so you can rule those out for now. They only operate to reduce smoke on start up when the temperature is above approx 5C (this is also why you see the light flashing on the dash). Below 5C they do help start the engine.

 

[fbarcode]

(this is also why you see the light flashing on the dash).

This flashing on the dash after starting (lasts about 10 sec or so) indicates glow plug fault.

 

[RS Pilot]

My previous post referred to pre heating the engine before start up but also once the engine is running. The Bosch software has a parameter that allows the glow plugs to operate when the engine is running but the intake temperature is low.

There is no programming that I'm aware of that is looking for current drain through the heater plug circuit to establish if any plugs have an open circuit so I struggle to see how the ECU would know of such a problem.

 

[paul33]

Thanks for your help on this, however the glow plugs were only replaced last week and have bleed the filter but still have problem. Could it be the relay? does anyone know where the relay for the plugs is? Can i download some sort of manual of the internet
Thanks again
Paul

 

[RS Pilot]

When you bled the filter, was there any air present at the top?

If you follow the wire from the glow plugs it will take you directly to the relay. The easiest way of testing this is using a voltmeter on the top of one of the plugs when the pre heat light is on the dash. Obviously you should see 12 - 14V.

I'm still putting my money on an air leak.