Hard start

[bbbmmm55]

Last few days ive been experiencing trouble getting started in the morning. Rest of the day there is no issues. Checked a few things and here is where I am.

Glow plugs changed for new in the last couple of months.

Tested glow relay, power at and long buzz bar cutting in and out with relay.

New feed and return pipes to the tank. Been parking with nose facing down the drive to eliminate fuel leaking back to tank. Plus after a failed start I can see fuel running from feed into the filter at a trickle. Unsure if this confirms its not running back to tank?

Made sure alternator is kicking out 14 volts plus at fast idle.

Now I suspected lazy battery as crank speed is quite low in the morning. I wanted a big powerful battery but after fixing my screen that will have to wait. A friend of a friend has hooked me up with a new battery as a temporary but its only rated at 90ah and 700cca which from reading is still under powered. Anyways made sure that new battery was fully charged but same issue this morning.

She cranks till battery gets weak so ive had to use a squirt of easystart but once going theres no stopping her.

So im thinking now mayb lash the two batteries together under the bonnet to give me more to get things going. I dont want to become reliant on easystart but atm I have no choice in the morning.

Any way I can test starter motor? Bearing in mind it does start but something seems to happen when left over night?

Just after any input or ideas. Will have a search for dual battery setups purely for more juice to start. As if it keeps me going in the cold I can alway keep the two best batteries then do a proper set up.

 

[jims-terrano]

Well as you say the battery hasn’t quite got the CCA it needs but I was wondering if it has a drain over night in which case you could disconnect the battery when you’ve finished driving for the day.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Are you running pure diesel, or a mix of diesel/veg oil? I find that if the mix starts to get a bit high in Veg, it can be harder to start on cold mornings, so in the winter keep it down to only about a 30% mix maximum.

Also what engine oil are you using, maybe it's a bit heavy for this cold weather?

 

[bbbmmm55]

Ive got 10w40 mineral inside but not much I can do about that now .
Nearly due a top up with fuel so i will up the ratio of diesel on next fill.
Going to have a read up on the dual battteries and testing for battery drain.
Figure I will try one thing at a time an see which one makes a difference.

 

[Banshee]

Ive got 10w40 mineral inside but not much I can do about that now .
Nearly due a top up with fuel so i will up the ratio of diesel on next fill.
Going to have a read up on the dual battteries and testing for battery drain.
Figure I will try one thing at a time an see which one makes a difference.

Wow wow wow!!! :question :bobby:

Isn't running your car on used engine oil illegal?

 

[bbbmmm55]

Oh lol thats not what I ment. Lazyferret mentioned my oil choice may be a bit thick.
Shes lubricated with 10w40 mineral not drinking it :lol
Would that even work? For the risk of those vosa/environmental people I wouldnt bother.

Going to see if I can borrow an amp meter to check my starter. Would i be right in saying it could draw up around 400 amps?

Does anybody know the figures that could suggest its drawing too much or what a correctly starting figure should be as ive never tested one.

 

[Mav96]

I think your starter motor is dying, I had the same problem, over time poor starting first time each day but after that was ok until it died completely. Took it to a specialist & he showed me how it was virtually seized up. (bench test)

 

[Banshee]

Oh lol thats not what I ment. Lazyferret mentioned my oil choice may be a bit thick.
Shes lubricated with 10w40 mineral not drinking it :lol
Would that even work? For the risk of those vosa/environmental people I wouldnt bother.

Going to see if I can borrow an amp meter to check my starter. Would i be right in saying it could draw up around 400 amps?

Does anybody know the figures that could suggest its drawing too much or what a correctly starting figure should be as ive never tested one.

Phew :lol

I've ran cars on used engine oil before, know a guy that did it in his Astra van for years, I'm a model citizen now though :lol

At least veg is legal, well up to 2500l a year is

 

[bbbmmm55]

Looking at the workshop manual it doesnt state reading amperage while cranking to test the started motor. Is it worth me checking? I can borrow a clamp meter so can test it that way.

Manual shows some continuity tests then dissmantling and checking movement within tolerances. I can always do that then keep it as a spare. But dont think i could repair then internal that had failed at any realistic pace lol.

Would I be better off removing it and bench testing it?a Ive just looked that up on youtube thanks mav96.

Gonna double check all its connections, do the basic continuity stuff then consider pulling out. If needed would something like this be an acceptable replacement?

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/FITS-NISSA...07-NEW-STARTER-MOTOR-/152658148768?nav=SEARCH

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Wow wow wow!!! :question :bobby:

Isn't running your car on used engine oil illegal?

Sometimes I wonder if you are reading the same posts as the rest of us...:doh:lol:lol

I was just checking the simple things, like the engine oil was not getting too thick in the cooler weather, but as that is the same as I run, and I have not had any issues, I doubt it would be that.

Before you delve too deep, check the positive battery clamp, well and the negative, but the positive one seems to give more aggro. If you have the original Nissan one, it is a weird pressed and and bent bit of metal, and it is possible for it to clamp up on the battery terminal nice and firmly, but for the bit of metal the actual wire is connected too, to be snapped off, making a dodgy connection which corrodes over night, in the damp air, but once the vibration of the engine has shook it about a bit when the car is running, it cleans up the contact, and all seems OK during the day.

 

[solarman216]

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/FITS-NISSA...07-NEW-STARTER-MOTOR-/152658148768?nav=SEARCH

Sounds a bit cheap, probably a Chinese copy, I would go to your local motor factors for about £100 exchange, and I say this for good reason, first use them or lose them, second if you do get a duff unit they are face to face local, Rick

 

[Blocky10]

Now into a new job which includes a van so poor ole truck is standing most of the week unused. I've noticed the battery seems to be getting weaker (slower cranking) but still starts without problems.
Your symptoms seem to point at fuel problems. Ie. Starts with easy start immediately, once started ok for the rest of the day.
And you've had fuel problems too and found parking nose down helped for a while.

My bet is you've air getting in somewhere and need to crank the fuel up each morning.

 

[bbbmmm55]

Now into a new job which includes a van so poor ole truck is standing most of the week unused. I've noticed the battery seems to be getting weaker (slower cranking) but still starts without problems.
Your symptoms seem to point at fuel problems. Ie. Starts with easy start immediately, once started ok for the rest of the day.
And you've had fuel problems too and found parking nose down helped for a while.

My bet is you've air getting in somewhere and need to crank the fuel up each morning.

I think i had previously had issues with air. So hard lumpy starts and fault coding/limp mode under heavy load but new lines and sealing the tank properly seems to have cured those issues.

Got the meter on it this morning, nice and frosty out. On cranking im drawing 470+ amps measure on the positive from battery. Sure ive red on here somewhere that 400+ is indicitive of starter issue? Any body able to comment on that?

Think i will try n get the starter out and test it off the car. If it works atleast i can cross it off the list.

 

[bbbmmm55]

Slow cranking, tried two seperate batteries both times similar amps n slow turning. Seeing as i need go charge them both now I have nothing else to do but pull the starter. :lol

 

[solarman216]

I have a recon started recently fitted, spins over lovely, but to get a amp reading needed to disconnect the glow plugs as starts almost instantly, anyway 285 is the draw on mine, Rick

 

[bbbmmm55]

Got the bugger out. Have tested it with the starter in a vice. Spins initially when i bridge position to ignition signal but very quickly slows n dies.
Think ill open it up see if there anything obvious i.e brushes or loose wiring.
With luck I may find an auto electrician locally who could put it right.

 

[bbbmmm55]

Picked this up last night. Nice reconditioned bosch unit.
Its like a new car where starting is concerned.

Car had been sat all week, last night it was frosted outside and in the car. Few turns and she fires up, sounds complely different. Much faster and sounds powerful.

Measureds amps while cranking now its down to the 290-300 mark.

 

[jims-terrano]

Sounds like a result:clap

 

[panelbeater]

well done,i hope you put the sealer on it befor fitting,to keep it water tight.the old one has it on it.

 

[bbbmmm55]

I smeared a little silcone onto the faces as that was all i had access too. Hopefully it will do the job.
What do you guys use as a sealant on these kind of parts, is there a specific type that I should be using?