Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Chopper]

I have a 1998 Omega 2.5 Td which is struggling to start first time.  After the initial bump off down the hill the car causes no problems and restarts without problems.

This has made me doubt that it might simply be the glow plugs.  The problems started the day I found a loose pipe under the bonnet - at the top and to the right of the plastic cover and seemingly attached to a round alluminium casing - the pipe attaches below.  There was oil(?).

That said number one glow plug is about 1cm deep in liquid suggesting a failure.

Any clues and where can I buy a manual to help?  I live in France and help is not always to hand nor easy to explain problems to!!!

[Chopper]

Should add I assume no1 glow plug is the first plug under the plastic engine cover.

[platty]

I don't think it really matters which plug you call what number - but I would say no.1 is at the front of the engine (?)

If you think the glow plugs are a bit dodgy, you should change them anyway for what it costs - also a common problem is the pump in the tank, they often fail which means the car struggles to start if the tank is less than 1/4 full.

The loose pipe sounds like the vacuum pipe - should have a home somewhere!

[Chopper]

I was going to change them just to eliminate them.  I have changed before on a Peugeot 405 which was a b...... of a job.  These look easy by comaprison (even for me - novice) but needed to find a manual to make sure I'm changing the right thing or not missing a link.

I dream of getting this car to 170k like yours - I'm half way on a 98S.

[markey mark]

i would change glowplugs just to eliminate them alsso the lift pump has been know to fail making starting a pain unless there is 20litres of fuel tank !!

[TheBoy]

Can test the glowplugs from the relay box (easier than removing intake). Should be about 1ohm each.

[Chopper]

Any advice on manual?  I will need some help.....

[joe k]

i have had a problem with a 2.5td not starting from cold and i found the cause by accident.two of my glowplugs had burnt out and caused the glowplug relay to short out.lift the fusebox lid under the bonnet,there is a multiplug look to the left under the leads that go to the plug.there will be a metal strip with two screws,just like the metal strip in a fuse. check it hasnt blown.that heats your plugs dealers quoted me £83 plus vat. they are a nightmare to find in a scrappy i got one off a 525 bmw in the end. now starts better than ever.

[hotel21]

How much fuel is in the tank?  If its low (quarter tank ish or less) then can get start failures as the fuel lift pump is fubar.....   If so, throw a couple of gallon in and run it no less than half tank until the lift pump is replaced....  

[Chopper]

The tank has ranged from being full (less han 50 miles form fill) to 100 miles to go.

It never starts after about 6 hours standing but always starts otherwise - during the day.  Doesn't make a difference if I park on an incline although easier to jump off.  Night-time temperatures down to 2-3 c where we live.

[Turk]

When you mentioned it is a problem after 6 hrs of standing, it sounds just like the problem I had. If the temp dropped below 3 deg, it just would not fire up when left overnight.
I changed the glow plugs and it solved the problem. Easy enough to do. Just make sure you don't trap the thin wire going to the "Sensor" injector. I trapped mine under the plennum.    

[TheBoy]

As said, measure glow plugs from relay connection before removing intake

Non starting after a set amount of time could be the leak off pipes leaking as well, so need to check.

[alexandjen]

As said, measure glow plugs from relay connection before removing intake

Non starting after a set amount of time could be the leak off pipes leaking as well, so need to check.

Agreed ^^^  

[Chopper]

where are the leak off pipes?  

I have found a manual - however, it's in French!  

[Lazydocker]

where are the leak off pipes?  

I have found a manual - however, it's in French!  

They run from injector to injector... They are a common fault! Very easy to spot this as a fault normally by smelling diesel and seeing/feeling the pipes are wet.

I think my money would probably be on the glow plugs/relay though. Does the preheat light come on? Have you tried giving it several preheat cycles? You can normally get them to start with a bit of patience and turning it over for a while, although i wouldn't advise this bp a permanent way of going about it!