Trouble starting my 406

Is it only from cold, or on every start? Does it run normally once going? Do you get lots of white smoke out of the exhaust when it is cranking but not firing?

If it is only the first start of the day that is a real pain, and lots of white smoke, I'd suspect the glow plugs and/or the glowplug relay. If you have a test meter you can check that you are getting 12V onto them when the ignition is turned on and the glow plug light is on. Testing the plugs themselves is more tricky; the meter may be able to tell you if each plug is open circuit or not, but that isn't the only failure mode.

Other problems could include a pinprick hole in a fuel line or fuel filter, allowing air into the system that needs to be purged before it will start - but this is less likely.

Matt

My money is on glow plugs (also called pre-heater plugs). Recently had a new set put in my wife's 306 which was virtually impossible to start. Now starts first turn of the key. And 125,000 miles is nothing for these engines. Chris who contributes to this group has knocked up 250,000 on his

405 and apparently it runs as good as ever.

It only happens when the engine is cold, it starts up first time when warm. I also get white smoke from the exhaust. I also suspected it may be the glow plugs. Are they expensive to replace???

Get your glow plugs from halfords at=A324 for a set of 4 done my 405 with

256000 on the clock and it is running very well .its going for a good run on thursday down to the coast and back it dos them a world of good after a long run..=20

Did they have problem starting it when u left it for a service?also when was the last time you had a set of glow plugs fitted? i always say every 3rd year. chris addlestone surrey,

They didn't mention anything to me about it, and I don't think the plugs have been changed for quite some time.

so i think it is time to replace them

In fairness they last far better than sparking plugs. My 1999 406 2.0L HDI is still on the originals at 116,000 miles and my wife's 1999 306 1.9TDhas just had its first new set at around 50,000.