Help, please, 306 HDI starting problems

[steve j]

As per the title really, the car will not start when cold and it`s not glow plugs as I put new plugs in and tested them. After numerous attempts it will fire and run, when the engine is warm it fires first time I`m begining to think I may be losing pressure at the fuel rail over night for example or am I talking bo^&ox. I`m now stumped, thanks in advance for any help.
steve j

[dan19evans]

faulty coolant temperature sensor?? if its faulty and isnt sensing that the engine is cold, then it wouldnt give a richer air/fuel mixture which is necessary when cold

getting a diagnostic test is your best bet mate

[Pigeon]

It's a diesel

My first thought is that while the plugs themselves may be good they may nevertheless not be getting power. Connect a light bulb between the terminal on top of one of the plugs and earth, and see if it lights up when you turn the ignition on.

[Steve_D]

My D Turbo had similar problems when parked facing up a slope.
Small air leak on the fuel filter was allowing the fuel to run back.
On mine the proof was to use the priming 'bulb' to pump the fuel up on a cold start and have it start first time.

Steve

[steve j]

dan19evans said:

faulty coolant temperature sensor?? if its faulty and isnt sensing that the engine is cold, then it wouldnt give a richer air/fuel mixture which is necessary when cold

getting a diagnostic test is your best bet mate

Thanks for the replies fellas, Dan I thought maybe it was temperature related which is why I went down the glow plug route, didn`t know that the coolant sensor was connected to the cold start system, so gonna replace it, cheers.
Stevej

[Old Merc]

The first job is to have a diagnostic check to see what fault codes are stored,its worth the cost.Then after the job is fixed the code will have to be cleared and the ECU reset.Or, just keep on relaceing parts to see if it solves the problem!I`ve had many HDi`s where its the fuel pressure regulator on the back of the pump,but without a proper diagnosis its all hit and miss.

[dan19evans]

steve j said:

dan19evans said:

faulty coolant temperature sensor?? if its faulty and isnt sensing that the engine is cold, then it wouldnt give a richer air/fuel mixture which is necessary when cold

getting a diagnostic test is your best bet mate

Thanks for the replies fellas, Dan I thought maybe it was temperature related which is why I went down the glow plug route, didn`t know that the coolant sensor was connected to the cold start system, so gonna replace it, cheers.
Stevej

no worries mate.. hope it works for you

[Skyedriver]

Steve_D said:

My D Turbo had similar problems when parked facing up a slope.
Small air leak on the fuel filter was allowing the fuel to run back.
On mine the proof was to use the priming 'bulb' to pump the fuel up on a cold start and have it start first time.

Steve

Steve,

This seems to be the exact same situation that my work colleague is having with his Citroen C2. See seperate thread.
When he parks downhill its fine, on the flat he needs to prime it
Will relate back on monday. Cheers

[Mr Whippy]

Holy thread revival!

Steve, did you ever get this fixed?