Gradual deteriation in strating this beast.
Always starts but taking longer each time.
Multiple glow plug activations don't appear to help much.
Loads of pungent bleck smoke when it eventually starts.
Starts well if left for an hour or so but after a few hours its bad again.
Gave it a service - fuel/ air/ oil filter and oil replacement - not much improvement if any. Noticed that the old fuel filter was very warm on removal - normal ? Service and Forte deisel treatment didn't reduce the smoke but at least it wasn't as black !!
Thought I'd have a check of the glow plugs but where to start ? Does anyone have a manual I can download ?
I read the thrad on fuel rerturn pipes with possible cracks - maybe I'll try replacing them (anything to look out for in this operation ?).
New to the forum - what a great idea.
Thanks in advance for ANY information.

Sounds like glow plugs,check resistance & supply to each of them.

Thanx for the advice - what should the resistance and current be ? If I measure resistance is it a straight i=V/R ?
Ta !

Hi and welcome to the forum

Have you tried an diesel Injection cleaner maybe they are clogged?

Has anyone on this forum tried cleaners?

There is someone on ebay selling glow plugs. Just search under ulysse in automobile section there is also someone selling an repair manual for diesel's. I have the petrol version and the book seems ok.

All the best.

Thanx for teh reply. I put FORTE diesel treatment in with a full tank, I assume that's teh same thing as the cleaner you're talking about. The car definitely runs better since teh service but still got teh staring issue.

Thanx again.

I read thread again and for some reason I thought you were talking about oil treatment ( silly billy me! )

I have used both oil and fuel additives with success. running better and quieter etc.

I have a car data disc but it does not show values for the glowplugs as in resistance it just tells me the nominal rating-------- V/A: 11/12 If thats any use. Means nothing to me and that it glows for a max of 10 sec's

regards.
donald

Hooksville said:

Thanx for the advice - what should the resistance and current be ? If I measure resistance is it a straight i=V/R ?
Ta !

Click to expand...

Forget all that skool stuff

Simply disconnect the power cable to each glow plug(normally heavy red wire attached to plug by 6 or 7mm nut) DONT turn on ignition while doing this,put keys in your pocket!
Then either end of multimeter probe to top of glow plug other probe to earth,engine will do fine here.Resistances should be very low (at most few ohms) but chances are one has gone open circuit so you will no reading.
Some cars have a multiplug (glow plug control) where you can measure the resistances from & saves loads time.If you locate a faulty plug renew & refit any plugs/wiring disconnected,then start your car.........mmmmm wheres the keys? search around car then house for hour before you remember they are in your pocket

T you have forgotten that you must do the search at least three times and ask someone have they seen them and get asked "well when did you last see them?" Then recount your steps again. Then leave car unlocked all night before wife asks "what are these?" as she takes them out of your trouser pocket so she can wash the filthy trousers you were fixing the car in the day before.

:d Lol

Followed this thread with interest, as my '96 TD EL has exactly the same symptons as Hooksville, but there's no conclusion...

Unfortunately my car's reluctant starting became a refusal when the weather turned cold last week.
Checked the glow plugs yesterday, and only one is working!
New glow plugs arrive tomorrow, then all I have to do is look for those keys.

btw thanks to Gordon and Donald for the posts about the pre-2003 workshop manual CDs on ebay. Awaiting the arrival of mine.

Result!

Fitted four new glow plugs and the engine now starts straight away. It also seems to run better after starting – maybe my imagination, or maybe (as I just discovered from the workshop manual CD) because the glow plugs stay on for as long as the throttle is pressed and the coolant temperature is less than 60 degrees.

Fitting the plugs without removing anything else was a bit of a pig though. Very little space. It required a new set of spanners for two and the loan of a deep 12mm socket for the other two. Still, worth doing it myself rather than taking it to a Fiat dealer to mess it up!

I have always found that the fuel consumption is a few mpg lower in the cold weather compared to the warm weather. It’ll be interesting to see if this was due to a faulty glow plug, or normal with a diesel engine.

So the exhaust has outlasted the glow plugs. The original exhaust has now covered 101,800 miles in almost ten years. Is this normal for a diesel or have I been lucky?

Hi, I have a 1998 1.9TD Ulysee. Same issue. I replaced the glow plugs, and recharged thew battery, which by now was totally dead. Still a chore to start. Mine will only start by rolling down a very steep hill; then it runs all day but not the next day.
I was told by a mechanic I was talking to that it could be air in the fuel system. This can happen if you run out of fuel, or have a cracked pipe. He also said that additives should'nt make much difference if the car wont start.
His brief description was to have someone turn the car over while i loosen off each injector one after another and close them up again to get the air out, like bleeding a house radiator system. Can anyone make any other suggestions along this line? Is their a simpler way to bleed air out of the fuel system?

All the best,
akinnon

Hello -

Thought I'd add something....

My friend's C8 (Ulysse) had a starting problem. We ripped it to bit and couldn't cure the problem. We tried everything! We popped it down to the Citroen dealership as we had come to a dead end. After a days labour they had ripped it to bits and the problem was a knackered injector. £300 later she starts first time everytime now. Performance has improved too. If you have noticed a lack in power and starting problems then maybe try that?