Diesel Nissan Primera probs

Nov 08, 2003 1 Replies

Hey,



I wonder if you could help.



We have a FSH Primera P11 Diesel with 60k on the clock. 99.95% of the time the car starts from cold first time without any smoke. On rare occasions it has failed to start first time, smoking from the initial combustion when it does take.



When the car has been warmed up and then left for any length of time between twenty minutes and 2-3 hours, you can return to the car, try and start it and 50-75% of the time it will fail to start first time around. It will usually fire up on the second or third attempt, again smoking from the initial combustion.



The car's twelve month warranty is just about to expire. So far it has had the temperature sensor and the number 1 injector replaced. Additionally, the diesel pump has been reconditioned.



I am wondering whether any of the following could be causing the problem:


- Wet/corroded/dirty electrical connections? (I asked the dealership whether or not they had checked to make sure all the connections were okay)


- Starter motor not turning fast enough to raise sufficient compression (when warm)


- Injector adjustment (Neither of the two Nissan dealers nor the VW dealer we bought the car from have mentioned this)


- A component that is expanding thus causing a loss of compression? Perhaps a valve stem that results in a valve remaining slightly open?


- EGR valve open?



Please let me know if you have had any similar experiences, and also if you have any other ideas.



Thanks



Edd


Is the engine direct injection or indirect injection??

if indirect injection, then i'd suspect glow plug problems?? had a VW LT which had a variable time glow plug system on it, the colder the engine, the longer the glow plugs were powered for,

I could start her up, drive 3 miles to town, shut her down, upon trying to re-start after being away 5 mins or so, heat soak would have affected the temp sender for the glow plug system, and make it think the engine's upto full operating temp, so it got no glow plug assistance, and would be a bitch to start.. smoking etc when she did start.. all the signs of incomplete combustion.

Of course, if your engine is direct injection, then it wont likely have glow plugs, and should be able to be started with no auxillary heating down to about 2 degree's C (thats the temp my current engine brings the thermostarter into play.. it's a 5th injector with a glow plug combined, and it sprays warm diesel into the inlet manifold to assist starting on freezing days)

One thing the injection pump should have tho.. is an advance lever, electronicaly controlled no doubt, if that isnt being moved to the full advance when you need to start the engine, then you'll have trouble starting when cold.. it's the equivelent of a choke on a petrol engine i guess is the easiest way to describe it.

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