1.5DCI cold starting issue

[mike9009]

Morning all,

I am reasonably au-fait with petrol engined stuff and will attempt repairing things.

However, we have had a diesel Nissan Note for eight years which has been trouble free. I just don't have the background in diesels to know where to start

The car cranks over well enough, but when cold refuses to start, until my wife flattens the battery. It is getting used for shorter journeys because of COVID and left for longer periods of time. So I am charging the battery frequently to get it running..,

So, what is the first thing to check? To my knowledge it has never had the glow plugs replaced. Is this easy? I believe the pump is probably okay as it runs well once started. It is regularly serviced.

Thanks!!

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

it'll be the battery if it's never been changed. Diesels are also very hard to start off a jumper. I suggest purchasing a new battery, it'll hold its charge longer than an old one, especially in the cold.

[Robmainstgarage]

A good start would be to have the battery tested. after that you could test the glow plugs, a good easy way to test them is to remove the supply wire off them all then get a length of wire, hold one end of the wire on the top bit of the glow plug where the wire goes on and then touch the other end on the live of the battery. If you get aliterate spark when you touch the wire to the battery then it's fairly safe to same the glow plug is working (no spark means no amps draw, means no heat, I've glow plug dead)

After that your onto testing the leak off on the injectors but start with the battery, then glow plugs, then report back

[mike9009]

I have done basic checks on the battery. 12.8V static and 14.2v running, so seems okay and charging okay- but it does feel like the cranking power (is that a thing??) is compromised when cold. So I have ordered a new one, due on Monday.

Will update if I still have issues...

Many thanks.

[E-bmw]

Check all of the "high power" electrical connections on the battery/starter/alternator and of course the engine/battery earths also, as in remove, clean & reconnect, not just look at, as a slightly high resistance connection will impede the flow of current to the starter/battery just when you need it most.

[anonymous-user]

Is air getting into the fuel system overnight, hence why it is difficult to start until fuel pressure has built up again? I have this engine in a Megane and if it was left for a week was kept turning over and would not start. If I primed the fuel system by squeezing the black bulb under the bonnet first, it would fire up instantly.

I eventually discovered a small hole at the top of the fuel priming bulb which was obviously letting air into the system and replacing the fuel.

The glow plugs are easy to change, but be careful none of them are stuck in the head. There is not much gap between the head and glow plug, I had to grind down the thickness of my socket before it would fit.

These engines start well, even with knackered glow plugs as three of mine had failed and i didn't even realise.

[GSDGPW]

I’ve got a 2010 Kangoo which I believe has the same engine, it exhibited exactly the same symptoms and hard starting that you describe, getting worse as the weather got colder, new glow plugs didn’t sort the problem. Eventually the problem was diagnosed as a faulty injector. After replacement the van now starts immediately.

[scottyp123]

If its not glow plugs then probably injectors, Rob and Chris at salvage rebuilds uk have been having issues with cold starts on 2 Vauxhall Combo vans they have bought, both times it has been injectors.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBoSyuBE4FE

Edited by scottyp123 on Sunday 3rd January 19:19

Edited by scottyp123 on Sunday 3rd January 23:12

[annodomini2]

Check the Earth strap on the engine first, on the Clio it's at the bottom of the engine at the front (yours may be the same) and gets all the crud from the road over it. I take it off clean it and cover with petroleum jelly every time I change the oil. To try and prevent corrosion.

Make sure the engine is hot before trying to remove the glowplugs. They have a tendency to snap and it's head off to get then out when they do.

In my Clio, my battery failed, would read perfect voltage, but wouldn't deliver the amps when cranked. So could be the battery.

[mickyh7]

Buy a decent battery first. It sounds almost certainly of a dying battery.
Dont buy Lion etc. Get a well known one. Pay middle price not the cheapest - Ask me why!
Loads of starting problems overall because of Corvid and lack of use.
These engines are pretty hardy but need a good turnover to start.

[Condi]

Its likely to be the glow plugs, at this time of year. Do you have any lights on the dash which look like a little coil? Turn the ignition once (maybe twice) and wait for the glow plugs light to go out, and then try turning it over. They are not expensive or complicated to replace, provided they come out okay.

Maybe the one of the cells or sections of the battery has died, but you'll find out when the new one arrives.

Possibly an electrical connection. Unlikely to be the earth strap I would have though, if it turns over just fine.

[mike9009]

Thanks all. A new mid range battery has been fitted and it seems to be cranking over much better. Started first time, like it used to....

So, I am hoping that is the end of it. Time will tell.

Only issue is the supplier of the battery sent two batteries not one!!! Must have got confused when despatching New Year's Eve!!

Thanks for solving a simple issue. Like I say, a petrol engine would have easily started on the battery I reckon....


Mike

[anonymous-user]

mike9009 said:

Thanks all. A new mid range battery has been fitted and it seems to be cranking over much better. Started first time, like it used to....

So, I am hoping that is the end of it. Time will tell.

Only issue is the supplier of the battery sent two batteries not one!!! Must have got confused when despatching New Year's Eve!!

Thanks for solving a simple issue. Like I say, a petrol engine would have easily started on the battery I reckon....


Mike

Interestingly enough, mine has been cranking over slowly and struggling to start for the last few days as well. I have just ordered a new battery from Tayna today, check out the date of the original.




Less than a month off 14 years old, not too bad I guess........

[mickyh7]

Talking of sluggish starters.
I still remember when Japanese cars came on to the market in the 70's
The starter motors were like jet engines compared to my Capri starter/dynamo looking thing.
They always started first thing when all around people pushed and jumped British cars !

[RoadToad84]

Just picked up a Megane with the 1.5dci lump. It also struggled to start when very cold. Tested the battery at 12.2V so replaced that, but upon resistance testing the glow plugs with a multimeter, it became apparent that 3 were out, so swapped them for Bosch replacements (£55 for the 4). Now seems a lot happier.