Cold starting problems - diesel engine

Rotor

It's a 1999 laguna 1.9dti and won't start on these frosty mornings.Once i do get it going it runs fine for the rest of the day.
Took it too local garage and they couldn't find the problem. They checked the timing and had the glowplugs out and tested them, and couldn't find an air leak in the system.
They suggested taking it to a diesel specialist.

Any ideas folks?
And is any fix likely to be expensive seeing as the easy options have been checked? (car is only worth about £500)
Thanks in advance

skiddlydiddly

Try giving the battery a good charge.

esmerobbo

how did they check the glowplugs?

Rotor

Battery good - turns over a treat
Glow plug - they said they took them out and wired them up and they glowed as they should

Thanks for reply

esmerobbo

Rotor wrote: »

Glow plug - they said they took them out and wired them up and they glowed as they should

Thanks

Ahh they may well do directly wired, but they work by resistance if they are hitting the resistance mark too early the relay may well be turning them off too soon.

getmore4less

Glow plugs would be my guess also.

That's what was wrong with my 306.

The symptom was cranking when cold was taking longer, last years just a bit so managable but the cold spell this year too long so got them changed and now OK.

prosaver

in the cold weather the battery loses power. thats why on cold days a lot of cars wont start. you can buy a insulator for the battery to keep it warm Finally, invest in a little insulation. Modern cars often maximize every inch of available space under the hood, which makes batteries more susceptible to overheating. Placing an insulation blanket around the battery will help protect it from engine heat. An insulation blanket also protects it from exposure to cold weather, making it more likely to start in all weather conditions.
if I was you I would bring the battery in the house -charge it fully and see if the car starts.. if it does its the battery.. I done it- bought an rac battery charge from argos( on special offer).. charged it a few nights ago --connected it in the freezing cold and it started staight away..
The problem i have got is the battery lose power after a few days --so its ok in the summer but when the cold weather comes its really weak... I think Ive got a electric leak in the car..

johnnyroper

prosaver wrote: »

in the cold weather the battery loses power. thats why on cold days a lot of cars wont start. you can buy a insulator for the battery to keep it warm Finally, invest in a little insulation. Modern cars often maximize every inch of available space under the hood, which makes batteries more susceptible to overheating. Placing an insulation blanket around the battery will help protect it from engine heat. An insulation blanket also protects it from exposure to cold weather, making it more likely to start in all weather conditions.
if I was you I would bring the battery in the house -charge it fully and see if the car starts.. if it does its the battery.. I done it- bought an rac battery charge from argos( on special offer).. charged it a few nights ago --connected it in the freezing cold and it started staight away..
The problem i have got is the battery lose power after a few days --so its ok in the summer but when the cold weather comes its really weak... I think Ive got a electric leak in the car..

But the op has specifically stated battery fine engine just turns without firing.
As said glow plugs most likely could also be failing timer relay or the coolant temp sensor could be giving false readings so not keeping glow plugs on long enough,good advice going a diesel specialist

hartcjhart

try turning ignition on when the glowplug lights go out turn off then turn on again and wait till the light goes out,this will give the glow plugs a 'double' warm up and should do the trick

Rotor

johnnyroper wrote: »

But the op has specifically stated battery fine engine just turns without firing.
As said glow plugs most likely could also be failing timer relay or the coolant temp sensor could be giving false readings so not keeping glow plugs on long enough,good advice going a diesel specialist

thanks for replies everyone.
Yea - battery good ; turns over fast and for long time
With the timer relay - would that mean the pigtail light on the dash wasn't on for very long because it seems to be on for a reasonable lenght of time ( havn't noticed it being on for a shorter duration).

As for the coolant temp sensor that got me thinking. Same garage recently looked for leak of coolant (I have had to keep topping up expansion chamber) and they pressure tested the cylinders. Possible link?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

The glowplugs may be fine but the glowplug relay may not. If you're competent you can wire all four glowplugs directly from your own power source, and see if the engine fires. If it does, you know the fault lies with the relay. If it still won't fire, the problem is elsewhere. Lack of fuel, perhaps, or ECU missing a signal.

Get someone to turn the key to the glowplug heating position, and measure for 12V at each glowplug.