Hi,

I have an '03 focus, 1.8 tdci, and it is having real problems to start from cold in the mornings. Once it has been started once it is fine for the rest of the day til the following morning. The car is turning over, just not firing up for at least 10 secs.
I have seen that others have had this problem too, but not seen any solutions to the problem.

Also, it intermittently jolts when driving in 4th gear. Any ideas or help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Glow plugs

 

I'd say glow plugs to. I had to replace mine recently and it cured the problem for a few weeks. I bought cheap ones off eBay and I think they are fooked aldocents it dosent fire straight up anymore.
I find if I use a bit of throttle tho it starts easier anyway
Can't be bothered buy any more glowplugs as long as it keeps starting

Don't think common rail diesels need glowplugs anyway. They can start without just takes a while longer

 

http://www.carpartsexpress.co.uk/pro...T_ID=&P_ID=283

Genuine ford ones

 

Remove plugs one-by-one and put a pair of jump leads on them (ask if unsure) and you'll soon see if they are any good...

Tom

 

very unlikely to be the glow plugs to be honest. very common problem on the early focus 1.8 tdci and can be caused by a number of things including wrong battery, cam possition sensor and even starter.

we changed prety uch everything on my mum's bar the starter and none made any difference including the glow plugs. was gonna change the starter too but my bro wrote the car off before i had chance.

it seams to me these are extremely sensitive to low voltage/low availible current to power the electronics if the starter decides to draw a fraction too much which is going to happen in winter when its coldest.

this fault also never throws up any fault codes from what i've heard.

good luck trying to fix it, most tend to live with it now i think as its just a load of hassle and expense to fix. still not as expensive as injector and pump problems though.

 

Thanks for all the info everyone.

It's not great timing leading up to xmas which is why I wanted other opinions before taking it to the garage and paying loads for someone to fiddle around for a while and still not fix the problem!

If I find the solution I'll post it up to help others in the future as I'm sure I wont be the last with this issue.

Thanks again.

 

It's worth changing the glow plugs, after all it's a serviceable item and not expensive! It does sound as if they could be the problem especially as you have noticed it with the colder weather where the plugs are under higher demand.

Martin

 

Has this problem ever been solved as I am having the same one. My focus 1.8 mk tdci will not start with a cold engine takes about half an hour of trying but once its going drives fine and starts 1st time while the engine is still warm. I tried replacing the glow plugs yesterday but when I tried to start it this morning had no luck. Can anyone help please

 

Sorry mk2*

 

May be a leak in the fuel system causing the fuel to drain back to the tank

Mik

 

be careful opening the glow plugs, one may ring off!!!!!

lots of wd40 around the threads!!!!!!!

be careful........................