Opel astra 2003

[RudolphTheRaindeer]

Hello. I have a question. I have an Astra 2003 1.7 ctdi and I have a problem where the car won't start when it's staying still but will start when pushed. I've checked the injectors they are in a good contition. I have a suspicion that it could be the timing belt, but I'm not quite sure. Is there any way I could know what's wrong with the car?

[catman]

Not much information to go on. Does the engine turn over quickly when you turn the key? If it starts and runs ok with a push, that says to me that the engine is ok, but maybe there's a battery /starter fault.

[RudolphTheRaindeer]

Battery is okay. When I was spraying ether in it, it cranks and starts right up

[E-bmw]

It isn't the timing belt.

It does exactly the same whether the car is being bump started or turning over normally.

More likely to be the starter isn't turning it over fast enough either due to the battery/electrical connections/starter.

[paintman]

E-bmw said:

It isn't the timing belt.

It does exactly the same whether the car is being bump started or turning over normally.

More likely to be the starter isn't turning it over fast enough either due to the battery/electrical connections/starter.

^^^This.

Is the starting issue only when the engine is cold & during cold weather?
If the weather is warmer does the issue go away?

[RudolphTheRaindeer]

No it didn't start in -20 but started when sprayed with ether in the same temperature. The engine cranks and spins just fine thats why we are so confused, everything seems to be in order, it gets fuel, it has compression it just doesn't start it when staying still

[E-bmw]

RudolphTheRaindeer said:

Battery is okay.

Who says the battery is OK?

Based on what evidence?

[RudolphTheRaindeer]

Checked it. Didn't dip below 12v and the voltage drop was less than 0.7 so I guess naturally the battery is okay

[Wiry PAYE]

Hi

Have you checked the glow plugs are operating correctly?

[E-bmw]

RudolphTheRaindeer said:

Checked it. Didn't dip below 12v and the voltage drop was less than 0.7 so I guess naturally the battery is okay

12v is potentially flat, depending on when you find 12v.

A 12v battery is actually 6 x 2.1 volt cells in series giving 12.6v when fully charged, every 0.1 volt below that is 20% loss of charge.

[RudolphTheRaindeer]

Wiry PAYE said:

Hi

Have you checked the glow plugs are operating correctly?

Glow plugs are in working order

[catman]

Could be a temperature sensor possibly? I'm wondering if the glow plugs aren't operating properly, if the sensor isn't supplying the proper value. The fact that it starts easier with ether suggests that something's wrong with the cold start system.