Print

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

[alasdaircantlay]

Hello,

My 2.5TD select is beoming more and more difficult to start in these cold wet mornings. I'm letting the glow plugs heat up 3 times before turning the engine on fully and that is helping. Does this mean I should replace the glow plugs necessarily? Or could it be the fuel lift pump, although it makes no difference as to whether I have 20l+ or not? The car has only got 225k miles on it...

[zirk]

I would start with the plugs, you can messure each one from the relay box, about 1 or 2 ohms from memory, if any are open circuit then its the plug or wiring.

Also worth checking the relay that feeds them to make sure thats doing its job.

Chris.

[Seth]

Yep - it's highly likely that you need to change them.

Don't fit the Ebay cheapos either - NGK or Beru are the ones to go for. Upwards of 30 quid for six.
Trust me!

A failing in-tank pump will make starting difficult whether hot or cold, especially if under 20 litres in the tank.

[alasdaircantlay]

Zirk: I only drive the car! I have no idea how to measure ohms from relays I'm afraid or what kind of instrument I would need to do that, or where to start! Is there a pictoral guide somewhere for idiots like me? The only ohms I know about are by yoga practitioners.

Sethsmate: Where would I source NGK or Beru ones? My local German Car Parts is asking £60 for the 6 I need. Is it straightforwards enough for a novice to replace these?

I plan to overhaul the fuel lift pump tomorrow. I never let it go below 20 litres after the first time I did thinking I still had enough fuel to do me the last 85 miles of my journey home. That was exciting when the engine cut out in the overtaking lane of the M73.

[zirk]

Zirk: I only drive the car! I have no idea how to measure ohms from relays I'm afraid or what kind of instrument I would need to do that, or where to start! Is there a pictoral guide somewhere for idiots like me? The only ohms I know about are by yoga practitioners.

Sethsmate: Where would I source NGK or Beru ones? My local German Car Parts is asking £60 for the 6 I need. Is it straightforwards enough for a novice to replace these?

I plan to overhaul the fuel lift pump tomorrow. I never let it go below 20 litres after the first time I did thinking I still had enough fuel to do me the last 85 miles of my journey home. That was exciting when the engine cut out in the overtaking lane of the M73.

No there not Ohms there Uhms,  , A cheap DVM or Multi Meter to measure each Plug, but if your not familiar with that stuff then probably best left to someone else.