Disco 3 - Smokey on start up

[Mr. Magoo]

I know there is some sort of pre-heater exhaust that comes down under the engine bay, mine is sometimes really smokey on start up when wet/cold....is this OK?

Also now we are hitting -5 it seems the starter wants to turn a lot longer before she fires....I am guessing this is the weather.

any pointers much appreciated

[A.J.M]

The front left exhaust is the fbh, used to help warm the engine and cabin faster. Nothin to worry about.
The longer cranking may be a duff glow plug, or the battery may need a proper charge up.

[Mr. Magoo]

thanks on the FBH.

glow plugs sounds a bit ugly though...

[A.J.M]

How long is longer?
Mine cranks for 1-2 seconds before catching once I've left the glow plugs to do their stuff.
My bosses took a fair bit to start up yesterday but it hadn't moved in days.

[Mr. Magoo]

3 - 5 seconds....still i am guilty of not following due process and not being patient on start up.....

[A.J.M]

Mr. Magoo said:

3 - 5 seconds....still i am guilty of not following due process and not being patient on start up.....

Let the glow plugs light go out. Don't rush it or it won't be happy!

Now, go sit in the corner till you learn from it! : hehe:

[300bhp/ton]

In cold weather and minus 5 is certainly cold then diesels won't always start so readily. Glow plugs are a service item too, so don't worry too much. But do follow starting procedures.

[Mr. Magoo]

sometimes I forget how diesel behaves in negative temps....i remember a farmer down our road lighting a small fire under his tractor diesel tank in the 80's to warm it through. the predictable result was he spent a few weeks in hospital without eyebrows.