Focus tdci poor cold starting

[MattCharlton91]

Hi all!

I have a 2005 mk1.5 focus with the 115bhp tdci lump, and as you guessed by the thread title, it's absolutely crap when starting from cold.

I have changed all four glowplugs (an ahole of a job!) today with Bosch items, and it doesn't seem to have particularly helped! I've tried heating them twice before starting, his has no real effect. So coming to a bit of loose end really... Any suggestions?

And also when replacing the plugs, I removed the intercooler and rubber boost pipes, and I noticed that the inside of both the rubber boost hose, and steel boost hose there was a bit of oil. (2 or 3 drops each side) I'm guessing this isn't normal and is pointing to some turbo issues?

Oh and sorry for my punctuation and grammar, it's not a strong point this writing lark!

[HustleRussell]

Oil is normal, have you checked the glow plug bus bar has current?

[Zad]

Maybe the injectors are on the way out? High pressure injector pump worn? Fuel filter clogged?

How many miles has it done?

[MattCharlton91]

Fuel filter was replaced when I serviced it at 63000' it rolled onto 67k last night. How would I go about checking the current etc?

[HustleRussell]

MattCharlton91 said:

Fuel filter was replaced when I serviced it at 63000' it rolled onto 67k last night. How would I go about checking the current etc?

I don't know that particular engine but on most cars the glow plugs are powered by a single bar which runs across the top of them, and you should be able to measure power there with a multimeter. It should be powered when you turn the key to the pre-heat position for a period of a certain number of seconds until the pre-heat light goes out. It could be an injector or fuel pump issue too as the previous poster said- does it run normally once started? Normal amount of black diesel smoke etc?

[MattCharlton91]

When it starts it puffs out some white smoke from the exhaust, but not massive amounts, I think it's white smoke anyway! Seems to run fine once started aswell.

[MJK 24]

Could have air in the fuel system somewhere.

[MattCharlton91]

Every morning starting from cold?

[HustleRussell]

White smoke and poor cold starting is beginning to sound more like a fuel supply issue- injectors or one of the pumps.

[PAUL500]

They need a very healthy battery this time of year otherwise they chug, whats the starter motor like as well, if it takes a few turns to get going even when warm then thats another possible problem.

Had the same with mine, changed battery that helped but then started getting drained by the starter, swapped that and she now starts first turn every time even when left out overnight.

[issey23]

I've the same problem as you (2002 115 TDCI) battery was changed a month ago, glow plugs going to be changed next week and a diagnostic checks going to be done (know a good independent ford mechanic!)

I'll let you know what he says..

[daemon]

injector seals?

Complete bd of an engine by the way. And possibly the worst year in them too.

(assuming you mean the 1.6)

[morgrp]

Try changing the oil to a better quality brand and different viscosity - what do put in it at the moment?

[MattCharlton91]

Oil, I believe is castrol gtx 10-40?

I'm hoping to god it's not an injector issue, as I know that will be big money. Starting from warm or hot takes two or three turns usually...

It's the 1.8 tdci lump, and yeah it can be a bit of a pig to work on!

[MattCharlton91]

issey23 said:

I've the same problem as you (2002 115 TDCI) battery was changed a month ago, glow plugs going to be changed next week and a diagnostic checks going to be done (know a good independent ford mechanic!)

I'll let you know what he says..

Please do chap!

[morgrp]

MattCharlton91 said:

Oil, I believe is castrol gtx 10-40?

I'm hoping to god it's not an injector issue, as I know that will be big money. Starting from warm or hot takes two or three turns usually...


It's the 1.8 tdci lump, and yeah it can be a bit of a pig to work on!

Not being funny but castrol gtx is ste and I would say 10 40w is too thick I'd seriously consider running a 5 30w semi or fully synth - my recommendation would be shell helix - not saying it is the answer but I see a lot of cars at work that run like ste on the wrong oil - when customers ask about oil our stock answer is now "anything but castrol"

[Andyjc86]

Once the engine is warm, how well does it start?

[JulianHJ]

My 56-plate 1.8TDCI is getting to be a bit of a bugger for the cold starts. I wait until the glow plug light goes out before turning it over, it catches quickly but needs a little throttle sometimes to stop it dying. It smokes a fair bit with this as well as sounding rough as a badger's arse. Once I'm a couple of minutes down the road it's business as usual. Should I be worried about an impending repair?

[MattCharlton91]

morgrp said:

Not being funny but castrol gtx is ste and I would say 10 40w is too thick I'd seriously consider running a 5 30w semi or fully synth - my recommendation would be shell helix - not saying it is the answer but I see a lot of cars at work that run like ste on the wrong oil - when customers ask about oil our stock answer is now "anything but castrol"

Fair shout! I always thought castrol was decent quality stuff! But I'll change when I next service it at 70k

[ch427]

common problem is the in tank pump breaks up putting metal filings through the system, this causes the engine pump to fail and normally the injectors too.
Prolonged cranking to start indicates that the high pressure pump is taking a while to build up the pressure