LDV Convoy cold starting problems

Hello all,

I have a 2000 LDV Convoy van with the non-turbo Ford Transit 2.5 engine in it. I have problems starting it on cold mornings. The symptoms are very much as if the battery is a bit flat, i.e. the engine tries to turn over but doesn't quite make it. However, I replaced the battery and charged it out of the van before installing it. Next morning, same problem. In the afternoon once the weather had warmed up a bit the engine turned over and started without any problems.

Any ideas? Bear in mind that this engine has no heater plugs. Now this is just a comment and I'm sure it's not the cause but I was very surprised at how small the starter battery was when I bought the van, I have a narrowboat with a little 1.5l engine in it and that has a massive starter battery, whereas this convoy has a 2.5 engine and a battery no bigger than the one in my car. Is this normal or a cost cutting thing on LDV's part? The recommended replacement battery is also physically quite small.

Many thanks,

Simon Marshall

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Reply to
simonmarshall
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wrote

The symptoms are very

Check the engine earth strap and the battery terminal connections.

Reply to
Knight Of The Road

Ditto. Check all the main battery cables for any volt drop, as that is the main cause of those symptoms on that engine. Anything more than a one volt drop on any cable, will cause issues, especially in cold weather.

Reply to
moray

We used to fit bigger batteries to ours, they where always a bit borderline when it was cold.

Reply to
Duncan Wood

"Duncan Wood" wrote in news:op.tmt4df1tyuobwl@lucy:

Same with the transit of that era. RAC used to fit two to their patrol vans.

Stu

Reply to
Stu

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