poor start and smokey

[t2chris]

Hi guys and gals I signed up as you recommend! :thumb2

My question is this my t2 is poor cold starting amongst some other small issues. It will start but runs rough for a min or so and I get a lot of sooty smoke which I guess means un burnt fuel?!

When I switch ignition on the glow plug light does not ever stay on for longer than 1-2 seconds so I suspect this could be the issue how do I go about checking from here, this is my first diesel but I am very hands on mechanically minded and Mrs is bugging me to get it sorted lol

 

[mooseloose]

I'm sure someone will be along shortly with a better answer...

I drive a modern TDCI diesel and even in the cold morning it cranks for a while... You can hear the plugs go out after about 15 to 20 seconds(little click), I tend to turn the ignition off and on again to get it warmer.

Have you maybe thought of some millers eco boost stuff?

 

[t2chris]

Hi thanks iam not sure if the glow sticks plugs even stay on for 20 seconds tbh as the click goes quickly, then it does not ever not start just runs rough for a min

 

[Banshee]

Glow Plugs!!!!!!

Easy Job with the right tools, Intercooler off and make sure you cover the pipe holes with bags so nothing drops in. Move the pipes out of the way and you can then access the plugs.

Soak the base with the penetrating fluid of your choice for a few hours and then remove the bus bar that joins them all, the plugs can then be removed one by one with a long reach 12mm socket, to test them use a set of jump leads, negative around the edge and then touch the end with the positive and they should glow bright orange within seconds

Personally, given that the cold weather is coming I'd replace them all anyway.

Please, please, please buy metal rod plugs and not ceramic ones as these disintegrate in the engine and can cause massive damage!!!

Go for Lucas ones and you won't go far wrong :thumb2

 

[rustic]

Bandhee is right, easy fix. Glow plugs.

If you have 2.7 tdi with intercooler as above.

If yours is the 2.7td non intercooler...
Don't try to remove it... you haven't got one.:nenau:lol

However, The Td glow plugs are different to the Tdi glow plugs and Td plugs are cheaper, so take care when ordering.

Glow plugs can last 5 years +/- 2 years.
There is a down load on how to test.

TIP :-
USE a "T" bar to remove, as a wrench can put a side load on them and encourage them to snap if they are really tight,:thumb2

This should sort your rough running on start up, it WILL get worse as it gets colder.
If three go... can be difficult to start and run rough with some grey smoke.
If all four go.... I hope your battery is a good one, as you might flatten it trying to start in really cold weather.



Edit...
A quick note on the glow plug control...
The Td are on full when the light is on, then go to low power for a short time after.
The Tdi stay on longer and are pulsed on and off depending on the ambient temperature, ie engine block temperature. This probably helps the emissions too.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

They fact that the light goes out so quickly sounds like they are not staying on for long enough, mine probably take a good 5 seconds before the light goes out, even on a warmish day, the only time it goes out quicker is is the car has been run recently, and just stopped for a short while.

Could it be related to one of the temp senders, e.g., it is telling the ECU it is warmer than it is...

As mentioned above, start by digging down to the plugs, which are under the Intercooler, and sticking a Volt meter onto the busbar rail. In the Manual, which is in the download section, there is a graph showing how the voltage feed works, e.g. On time, off time, re-pulse time etc, so you can at least see if the feed is getting to them.

If that is all ok, then the next step is to measure the resistance of each glow plug, by removing the busbar, and putting a probe between the top of the plug, and the engine. They should read as a short circuit, for all intense and purpose, but if any read as open circuit, then that is a faulty plug.

Changing them needs a lot of care, someone snapped one of mine off before I got it, and it ended up with a head change to sort out the resulting issues, so make sure you pre-treat with penetrating oil, warm the engine before hand, and use a "T" bar to try and remove them, as the costs of getting it wrong are high.

 

[Banshee]

Changing them needs a lot of care, someone snapped one of mine off before I got it

That wasn't Rick was it by any chance?

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

That wasn't Rick was it by any chance?

No... It was done before I got the car.
Rick did his best to remedy the situation with out taking the head off, but after many many broken drill bits had to admit defeat, which does not come easy to him.

sent from my phone, sorry for any typo's.

 

[zippy656]

simple. just be carfull with the strap.

 

[t2chris]

Well that's the glow plugs out and new ones in, not got it all back together yet to test but had 4 different types in there so changed all to new denso got from work, air filter changed it was filthy and next up oil and filter and fuel filter and hope to have a healthy truck lol

 

[rustic]

Well that's the glow plugs out and new ones in, not got it all back together yet to test but had 4 different types in there so changed all to new denso got from work, air filter changed it was filthy and next up oil and filter and fuel filter and hope to have a healthy truck lol

Oil filter change...:jesterbg


If this is your first.....

Good luck...
Only certain oil wrenches fit, be prepared for the greatest oil spill since the Gulf of Mexico.

Go in through the nearside wheel arch after removing the wheel and inner rubber liner, and place on axle stands.:thumb2:thumb2
3/4 fill the new oil filter with new oil.

Don't use 5w30 or any synthetic oil..
10w40 15w40 mineral, or semi synthetic is best in my opinion.

For fuel filter, cheap ones tend not to seal at the top that well, if affected, you will get clouds of white smoke, rough running... so be aware.

Hope it helps,
best regards,

Rustic

 

[firebobby]

Oil filter change...:jesterbg


If this is your first.....

Good luck...
Only certain oil wrenches fit, be prepared for the greatest oil spill since the Gulf of Mexico.

Go in through the nearside wheel arch after removing the wheel and inner rubber liner, and place on axle stands.:thumb2:thumb2
3/4 fill the new oil filter with new oil.

Hope it helps,
best regards,

Rustic

Oh of course, it's the 2.7, sorry I forgot........did I mention how easy and clean the same job is on the 3.0l :augie:augie:lol

 

[t2chris]

LOL thanks mate, I have done oil changes before with awkward cars and have a nice big tray (used as a cement mixing tray) so this will catch spillages!

Any idea on what straps work to remove the filter sucessfully?

Look forward to a well serviced truck needs some tlc lol

 

[Blocky10]

Oh of course, it's the 2.7, sorry I forgot........did I mention how easy and clean the same job is on the 3.0l :augie:augie:lol

Lol

 

[rustic]

...Any idea on what straps work to remove the filter successfully?

Well, no one has suggested what they use, but I always use one of these, sometimes the smaller one works better than the larger :nenau

Ebay item 150985860713

For some reason, my ipad doesn't have the facility to cut and paste the http link.

Mine are similar and cheaper, but are not Draper.
Great for undoing wide lidded pickle jars in the kitchen too.:thumb2

Good luck.
Oh warm engine is best for undoing the filter, and of course dropping the oil, but not too hot, oil will scald :doh

Rustic

 

[AlexD333]

just a note. I do actually use 5w30 semi but what rustic mentioned is good.

 

[t2chris]

Thanks guys, glow plugs seem to have made a difference I will see for sure in the morning as its been a fairly warm day today!

As for oil I think I am going to go 10w40 smack bang in the middle lol, thanks for the link on the bay! I will get some in before I go doing the oil - I dont have a lot of patience and have been know to stick a screw driver through the filter to undo it lol

 

[t2chris]

All sorted I believe, she started perfectly no unusual smoke or poor idle

 

[rustic]

All sorted I believe, she started perfectly no unusual smoke or poor idle

I bet you're glad you joined.:thumb2

TIP1:-
Now put a blob of grease on each of your four steering stops, and that will stop it graunching when turning on full lock.:thumb2 Twice a year should do it.

Tip2:-
Try to run the same type, pressure and tread depth tyres on your rear axle, it will reduce the wear and tear, as the Limited Slip Diff won't be working overtime.

Tip3:-
When driving, keep your eyes open.
Or you won't see where you're going lol...:lol

Rustic

 

[firebobby]

Tip3:-
When driving, keep your eyes open.
Or you won't see where you're going lol...:lol

Rustic

Does that help then :nenau:nenau:augie