200Tdi Problem

snipped-for-privacy@fullbore.com (Ken DL) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@ktm666.crosswell.cym:

Have you checked the glow plugs? Don't know about lack of power but it is quite possible to have two unrelated problems at the same time which can confuse the issue.

Derry

On or around Wed, 5 Nov 2003 07:20 +0000 (GMT Standard Time), snipped-for-privacy@fullbore.com (Ken DL) enlightened us thusly:

glow plugs, fuelling/pump settings, EGR valve if fitted.

if it's a recent development, check the glowplugs. If it's always been thus, it could be fuel settings. EGR could have stuck open, which might be upsetting it. the last is the simplest, blank it off :-)

check glow plugs by pulling 'em out and connecting them with a fat wire across the battery - easiest thing is a jump lead, grab one battery terminal and the case of the glowplug, touch the terminal of the glowplug to the other battery terminal. In a few seconds the tip should glow red.

Not so sure about the glow plugs; the 200TDi and 300TDi in our family both start "on the button" without any pre-heat, in more or less any south-eastern UK weather. The 200 is marginally better, it's like starting a fuel injected car, i.e. instant. I'm led to believe this is the norm with the 200/300 TDi engine.

Gordon

Checked the glow plugs and they are all OK, as is the circuitry. EGR is not fitted to this engine so it looks like it's the fuel/pump setting is the next thing to check. Can you say what sort of thing we should be looking for?

Ken

Definitely won't be glow plugs. 200 and 300 Tdi are direct injection and therefore will always start except in very sub zero temps. Old turbo was indirect injection and always needed pre heating to start in cold weather. Have you checked the fuel shut off solenoid? These can go wrong and provide al sorts of strange effects, particularly if they are partially open or closed. Peter

I'd agree, I've never needed to use the glow plugs on either of the

200 Tdi engined motors I've owened - even on the coldest of days (or nights!) - were talking Peak District here! Indeed a mate had one in Series III and didn't even bother wiring them up. The only time the one in the 110 has not started "on the button" I've immediately changed the battery (only once in 7 years) and its not done it again (the battery, incidently, is still in use on a Range Rover, and was the original Land Rover one, i.e. Lucas-Yuasa).

Richard

On or around Thu, 6 Nov 2003 18:25:08 -0000, "Peter" enlightened us thusly:

good point.

as to fuel settings, the bad news there is that if this is a sudden change in behaviour, it's almost certainly due to something having got buggered in the injection pump, which'll mean a trip to a specialist to get it looked at.

if it's always been like this, or was always a bit like it and is now a bit worse, you may be able to adjust it.

does it produce amazingly good smoke test results at MoT time?

Hi Peter,

I disagree - I live in Zimbabwe, and we never get sub zero temps. My 300Tdi had always started on the first turn until last winter (typical morning temp about 10C) - at the service got them to check it, and ALL 4 glow plugs had failed.

Even now, getting into summer here, if I don't let the heaters warm up, it takes 2-3 seconds to start. With them it is instant. I suspect my battery is getting tired, which is why I am noticing the problem at the moment, but the moral is, those heater plugs make a massive difference.

Interesting reading in the Haynes manual about how they work - initially come on, and get a light on the dashboard. Thermal sensor detects engine warm enough and turns off dashboard light. Heaters then stay on for further

10 to 20 seconds.

I think that hot spot makes them start so easily.

Graham Carter Harare Zimbabwe

In article , Graham Carter writes

Hi

I think you have another problem that the heater plugs are helping with.

Either a dodgy battery, lazy starter motor or failing earth lead between engine and chassis.

In short with the above three in good condition a tdi engine will start quickly with the heater plugs disconnected.

Thanks to all for your tips and suggestions. It will be a couple of weeks before I can get under the bonnet and have a serious looksee:)

Ken