Trouble starting a P reg Vauxhall Combo van **updated - plugs replaced, still probs**

lv1109

Hi,

My husband has recently got a Vauxhall Combo van diesel (1996). We were aware when we got it that it needed a starter motor, which it has now had. Still had a few problems starting and thought maybe the battery was a bit naff so have put a new battery on it aswell. He is still having real problems starting it in the morning (early when its still pretty darn cold!) Actually come to think of it it is also a bit of a dog starting in the evening (again I suppose its getting pretty cold in the evenings). I suggested maybe it needed spark plugs (in my infinite wisdom, lol) but he said it doesn't have spark plugs.

Can anyone make a suggestion of what might be the problem, and more importantly is it going to be mega expensive?

Thanks in advance!

LV

Jorgan_2

A diesel engine will have glow plugs rather than spark plugs, if they fail it will cause starting problems. Last time I bought some they cost about £15 each. The best thing is to take it a good garage as it may be the glow plugs but it could be something else.

lv1109

Thanks Jorgan!

I am just frightened that it is going to cost a fortune! Will keep my fingers crossed that it is the glow plugs cos I could cope with the price of those.

Thanks again for the suggestion.

LV

RegWorts

lv1109 wrote: »

Hi,

My husband has recently got a Vauxhall Combo van diesel (1996). We were aware when we got it that it needed a starter motor, which it has now had. Still had a few problems starting and thought maybe the battery was a bit naff so have put a new battery on it aswell. He is still having real problems starting it in the morning (early when its still pretty darn cold!) Actually come to think of it it is also a bit of a dog starting in the evening (again I suppose its getting pretty cold in the evenings). I suggested maybe it needed spark plugs (in my infinite wisdom, lol) but he said it doesn't have spark plugs.

Can anyone make a suggestion of what might be the problem, and more importantly is it going to be mega expensive?

Thanks in advance!

LV

9 times out of 10 it is due to one or more of the glowplugs. failing
You can buy a decent set of 4 off Ebay for aound £20 for all four.

They are fairly easy to fit ( as they are similar screw in fit like spark plugs... but a bit fiddly.)

You will need a slimline deep socket to remove them (and possibly a swivel head lever head as one of the glowplugs is at an angle and a bit awkward to get at )

I changed a set in an Astra Van several months ago and it would only have taken around 30 minutes if I hadn`t dropped one of the nuts...Took me 2 hours to find it as I was worried that I`d dropped it in the cambelt housing..I hadn`t !

A garage shouldn`t charge more than 30 minutes labour but might charge around £20 / £25 for EACH plug ( robdogs !)

It`s always worth changing ALL four then you won`t have any more problems for years.

goldspanners

yep go for glow plugs or glow plug timer.
make sure there is voltage going to the glow plugs when ignition is switched on.
does the glow plug light come on when the ignition is switched on?
to maybe make things a bit easier in the mean time,try turning the ignition on until the glow plug light goes out,switch off the ignition then quickly switch it back on again until the light goes out and then start the engine and see if this helps any.

ozvaldinho

On a P reg combo, I'd get the glowplugs done at a garage if I were you. If they've been in there a number of years, they could well have seized up and be difficult to get out. The garage will have the proper tools and (hopefully) be aware of the pitfalls. I've cocked up this job before.
My P reg combo has done 224,000 miles and starts really well since I changed the glowplugs.

lv1109

RegWorts wrote: »

I changed a set in an Astra Van several months ago and it would only have taken around 30 minutes if I hadn`t dropped one of the nuts...Took me 2 hours to find it as I was worried that I`d dropped it in the cambelt housing..I hadn`t !

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Thanks for all your advice guys.

Fingers crossed it is just the glow plugs, we are going to try and get it sorted at the weekend.

ozvaldinho, glad to know your Combo is still going strong, this one is just over 200,000 miles so we aren't far off yours!

Will come back and post once this is resolved to let you know what happens.

LV

lv1109

Just a quick one this time. I have been doing some reading about the glow plugs and people keep mentioning an orange (?) light on the dash. If this light is not present (or at least not lighting up) is it more likely to be the glow plugs relay? Check me out getting all technical, lol!

Hope someone can help!

LV

vansboy

The light on the dash should be there when you turn on the ignition, then turn itself off, after a few seconds - verrrrry fast, if the engine is hot & been run for a while, longer for a cold engine.
After the light turns itself out, it is THEN that you turn the ignition key to actually START the engine. Combos are generally easy starters & ought to run on first attempt.

If it takes a number of attempts, the glow plugs should be your first things to check out, as everyone else has suggested.

Your new battery should be suitable for the van, not just one that 'fits in the space' in the engine compartment.

There are numbers on a label, on the battery itself, plus the make, let us have those, on here & we can check it's powerful enough.

VB

lv1109

thanks vansboy

will have a look at the battery tomorrow and come back with the info.

From what I gather from my husband the light is possibly not evident at all but I will double check this.

LV

goldspanners

lv1109 wrote: »

thanks vansboy

will have a look at the battery tomorrow and come back with the info.

From what I gather from my husband the light is possibly not evident at all but I will double check this.

LV

a check of the fuses may be in order aswell seen as the light is not coming on at all. if they are ok then it should be the relay/timer.