First signs of engine "tiredness" ? (dodgy starting)

WTF? should be "All"

I thought 300 tdi's started regardless of the glow plugs?? maybe someone will correct me. I'm still nurturing the 2.5 TD in the 110 and a bit further on in the RRIII.

Could be a head gasket failure but otherwise than the red herring above I'd say glow plugs first.

Your using straigh diesel aren't you???

Lee D

On or around Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:09:10 +0000, "Pete @

depends on how well it's been looked after.

I'd bet on glowplugs though, it's been pretty cold the last few days.

Heater plugs. They are beyond any mileage I would regard as reasonable service.

I've got a 1994 300TDi Defender that starts on the third chug almost without fail, I was surprised this morning because I turned the key and it chugged a massive five times before clattering into life! It's never needed any engine work in the 80,000 miles I've had it for and I've never waited for the plugs, just hopped in, turned the key and off it goes. Even when there's ice on all the windows.

So yours is probably something worse ;-)

Ian Rawlings uttered summat worrerz funny about:

Thinking about it one of the main issues may be reduced compression of a worn engine. Yes they clatter forth but I'm sure that reduced compression would soon make ammends to the 300 tdi wearing it's pants outside it's bellhousing.

Lee D

Been experiencing similar problems with my '97 300Tdi (104,000 miles)~ cranks over fine but won't fire on all 4 without excessive doses of glow plug.

I started to change the plugs this afternoon and snapped the first one of the new ones ~ the element at the end has become detached and is stuck in the head. Not sure if I can get it out yet or if the head will have to come off :-((

Yikes.

Most of the time I run straight diesel unless I'm off on a run "down south" when I may occasionally 75/25 Dino:SVO but mostly it's 100% pumped.

I've just filled up again in the last few days and whacked a full dose of STP "injector cleaner" type stuff in the tank.

It's been starting fine again last few days when temp is around 8 degrees in the mornings so I'm thinking it's got to be a multiple glow-plug failure which hasn't been evident over the warmer months.

I'll get the glowplugs checked out next time it's in, seems to be the unanimous decision. :¬)

Thanks all Pete

--

Yikes indeed. I bought the new glow plugs via an eBay shop and they were advertised as for the 300Tdi but on very close inspection you can see that the taper at the tip is different to the originals. I'm not a happy bunny and am waiting to see what the seller says ..

Today I took the remaining originals out and tested them with my jump starter and they glow cherry red within about 6-8 seconds so they're okay anyway and not the source of the poor starting.

I've been thinking the head gasket is blowing slightly for a few weeks and having jet washed the engine before starting work on it yesterday I could see some oil weepage on the injector side immediately below the gasket for the front 2 cylinders. Guess that's my culprit, so can now kill two birds with one stone by taking the head of, removing the broken glow plug and replacing the gasket.

Oh the joys of Land Rover ownership. I'd quite forgotten why I love them so much :-))

PS. Sorry for hijacking the thread :-)

Totally agree with the above - heater plugs most likely cause. When mine went (and yes I do need them here in Zimbabwe), all 4 had failed. I suspect that one is enough to get the motor started if there are no othere problems, and then the other cylinders will kick in.

One other funny I've had is the car wouldn't start well if parked with engine facing uphill. This turned out to be a faulty fuel lift pump allowing diesel to drain back into the tank.

Other more expensive possibilities are compression loss, worn injectors or injector pump.

Hope it's the heater plugs! Graham Carter Harare Zimbabwe

Thanks Graham and everyone that replied. Re: the above, I always park mine on our drive with the engine up-hill as it's the only way to stop the interior flooding when it rains.

Hardly worth the expense of re-sealing the windscreen, though Bathroom sealant has certainly helped.

:¬)

Cheers Pete