Hi,

New to this forum, and have found previous forums a wealth of knowledge with my past cars.

I've been having troubles starting the car. I have spoken to my local garage and they seem to 'think' it could be the injectors. Rather than taking the plunge and paying out for the injectors hoping that is the problem, I'd rather get some other opinions. Here is a video ( excuse the wife midway through!!!)

Basically, the car takes quite a few turns to get it started, if at all. Last week it flattened the battery before it started. Once running, the car runs just fine, as good as it always has, no loss of power, no revs dipping, no stalling. This makes me think it isn't injector related.

I have combed the internet the past few weeks or a diagnosis.

I have changed the cam position sensor. Checked all the relays. And ran some injector cleaner through the system just incase. I don't think there is any air in the fuel system. The only thing I'm yet to check, which, I have found out could be the cause is the fuel filter. The timing seems to be fine as it runs just great when it gets going. My mechanic checked the glow plugs, and said they are fine.starter is recently new (1 year or so old)

It doesn't matter whether it is a cold start, or whether it's been running for 2 hours, the starting process is the same.

To me, it sounds like it is not getting enough fuel to start. But why?!?!? Does anyone have any other ideas or experiences with this problem? Any help will be much appreciated

 

Check the air shut off valve in the inlet manifold hasn't jammed.

Pull off the air intake hose and look into the inlet manifold to see if the valve is fully open. If that's jammed closed it will not start.

Failing that, try Kent Injection in Maidstone. Not used them myself, but I have heard of a very satisfied TDCi owner that has.

 

is there diesel getting to the injectors? crack them and look

 

Will check this this evening, but this seems to be a more common fault on the newer 2.0 TDCI engines. Mines a 1.8.

Have tried this on one of the injectors as the others were a pain to get too, and got a decent spray. Didn't have time yesterday to try them all

 

It's a very common fault on the 1.8. Mine has had it a few times.

 

The system generates ~300bar to start. You must not open the injector pipes on common rail systems as you'll...

1. make a hell of a mess
2. more importantly get 300bar of diesel in the eye or under your skin

 

Ok, I will get that checked this evening.

 

there is a thread on here with a poor starting 1800 tdci focus and it turned out to be the starter motor drawing more voltage than it needed and causing the electronic injector not to function properly.

 

Is the battery O.K ? When mine started to get a bit weak it caused starting problems. If the engine isn't turned at a speed of at least 750rpm the injectors won't fire !

 

Have checked the air shut of valve and it seems to be fine.

Doing so, I did notice the hose which leads to the manifold has a big split in it. Maybe this is the cause, will pick up a new one from the scrappy Saturday as it's a dealer only part and they want £64+ VAT. For a hose!!

The battery is a year or so old and is fine, even when jump leads connected to another car there is no difference.

 

O.k, good luck and let us know how you get on

 

THIS.

Also you'll introduce air in the system, so it won't start anyway.

 

That would cause a lack of boost pressure/poor performance and black smoke when driving, shouldn't effect the starting at all.

 

I would change the fuel filter as first port of call on any TDCI faults, have seen people replace injectors,fuel pumps and all sorts when all was needed was a fuel filter.

Be aware you really need some kind of hand primer to fill the filter & prime the low pressure side of the fuel system, as these vehicle do not have a lift pump in the tank.

You really need to make sure the low pressure side is primed BEFORE attempting to start it, as once air is introduced into the rest of the system it can be a bugger to sort...

Have you had fault codes checked?

 

I suspect you're now looking at a duff injector(s)