Vectra starting problem- morning only

JustLikeThat

I may have asked a more general question like this a month or two ago, but at least the 'spanner' icon is not staying on now as it once did.
My problem is that my 08 Vectra 1.9 cdti (132,000 miles) now struggles to start each day. Once started it is perfectly Ok restarting for the rest of the day. I have learned to turn the key to a ready position then off when most lights go out. I do this a second time and then turn the key fully and it coughs into life, usually with only a bit of hesitation. Having said that, there are times when it struggles and I have to go through the process again. Some have said it's glow plugs while others have said that would not be a problem in our recent warm weather.
Cars are a bit of a mystery to me...

dmliverpool

Can only think that the battery needs replacing or an some sort of electrical fault. I think it may be linked to the amount of time that has elapsed since you last drove it not the air temp.

Strider590

I'd go check out the Vectra owners forums......

If it hasn't been serviced to schedule then go and get a full service done asap.
You'd be surprised how many people come here with car problems and then when questioned they say "oh, it was last serviced 6 years ago, is that ok?".

colino

You need to code read it to get an accurate answer, but sounds like the CTS has failed and its not giving the proper signal (that the coolant is cold!) to the ecu.

motorguy

JustLikeThat wrote: »

I may have asked a more general question like this a month or two ago, but at least the 'spanner' icon is not staying on now as it once did.
My problem is that my 08 Vectra 1.9 cdti (132,000 miles) now struggles to start each day. Once started it is perfectly Ok restarting for the rest of the day. I have learned to turn the key to a ready position then off when most lights go out. I do this a second time and then turn the key fully and it coughs into life, usually with only a bit of hesitation. Having said that, there are times when it struggles and I have to go through the process again. Some have said it's glow plugs while others have said that would not be a problem in our recent warm weather.
Cars are a bit of a mystery to me...

Welcome to the wonderful world of diesels.

I would get the glow plugs checked in the first instance.

Could be injector trouble.

Could be compression.

Could be pump.

Get it to a reputable mechanic to sort it out before it lets you down totally some day.

facade

Shouldn't have thought it needed glowplugs to start this weather, more likely low compression or fuel related.

The superb old Izuzu engine used to be a poor cold starter when the valve clearances had disappeared. They would do 250,000 miles if you did the valve clearances at around 120,000.

I recall something about leaky spill pipes making the newer engines poor starters, they are only a few pounds for some new rubber pipes.

Google vauxhall spill pipes for more info

Strider590

facade wrote: »

Shouldn't have thought it needed glowplugs to start this weather, more likely low compression or fuel related.

Didn't want to mention this, but those 1.9CDTI's they don't half get thrashed about and at 130k miles piston ring wear is a strong posibility if it hasn't been serviced to schedule.

Rapished

Sorry but vauxhaul do have an issue with there diesel pumps over 100k mainly, if your having to turn the key to the lights off before starting twice this may be the pump not priming properly.

Failing that pop a code reader on it and see of there's a fault, maybe check the fuel lines for air, change the diesel filter, and get a multimeter on the glow plugs and check there correct, when it does start do you have any white smoke out the back?

JustLikeThat

Thanks for responses. I've had a 'lifetime' of diesels as company cars and this one I bought when I retired. Never had to drive one past 90,000 miles before though. It has been regularly serviced.

I've looked at Vauxhall forums as suggested and there seems to be talk on them about leak off pipes. I did look at CTS and ECU info and that may hold the answer.

A friend and a local garage both tried to read the code but could not get anything to register. I may soon need to go to dealer, but at least I have some ideas to know what's possible.

facade

Do the leak off pipes, they cost pennies, cheaper than getting the codes read.