Diesel Starting problem

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Mon Nov 08, 2010 11:17 pm

Cheers for the link Mat, i've checked my stores & i have some Beru GV636, I did check the beru website, but it seemed to give me some contradictory info. Does anyone know if they are suitable for my n/a txd?

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 1:18 pm

Righto, going to have a go at sorting this out tomorrow as the starting is a real ballacher at the mo.

Do i need to spray them with some wd40 etc to make sure that they come out ok/easier? & do i need to put any copperslip on the threads of the new glowplugs?

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 3:02 pm

Can't hurt to spray beforehand, or alternatively if they are really tough you could build a 'well' around the injector(s) with blue tack or similar, fill it with the penetrating oil of your choice and leave to soak overnight.
Copper grease on the new ones? - Yes, it will make it easier next time!

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 5:59 pm

mat_fenwick wrote:Can't hurt to spray beforehand, or alternatively if they are really tough you could build a 'well' around the injector(s) with blue tack or similar, fill it with the penetrating oil of your choice and leave to soak overnight.
Copper grease on the new ones? - Yes, it will make it easier next time!

Damn - that's two brilliant tips I've got from you in two days Mat! I'm gonna be a mechanic before I know it...

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 8:56 pm

Thanks

Just remembered something else that might help you Mulley - if you cut a slot in the ring connectors (making them no longer a ring) for the glowplugs, you can thread the tiny terminal securing nuts onto the glowplugs before you thread them into the head, making it less likely to lose them (and making the job easier next time!)

scarecrow · Post by **scarecrow** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:16 pm

Ahh, but there's nothing like fumbling around for your lost nuts in a dark, greasy recess

Where's the "I'll get my coat" emoticon when you need one

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:48 pm

If you're fitting new plugs, you should have 4 spare nuts to lose.

I usually stuff a bit of paper into an 8mm socket to hold the nut secure so to aviod droping it down behind the fuel pump

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 12:16 pm

I changed the plugs on mine last week, as that's also been struggling to start. I wasn't convinced it was the plugs because it was just churning over and over. I only lost one nut!

I might try the priming trick because if it was a glow plug issue (relay is clicking correctly) I would have expected one or two to fire and then loads of smoke and misfiring from the non-firing cylinders. It's not really done this.

Post by **Defender110** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 12:30 pm

ken newbold wrote:If you're fitting new plugs, you should have 4 spare nuts to lose.

I usually stuff a bit of paper into an 8mm socket to hold the nut secure so to aviod droping it down behind the fuel pump

I bit of grease smeared inside the socket stops the nuts falling out and holds them in when replacing.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:46 pm

After an entertaining battle that saw me get both the CX and 2CV stuck in the snow (this is what I get for parking the BX in a poor place) I eventually used the Tin Snail for some added battery boost and gave the primer a good squeezing. It was soft (car hasn't run for about a week). Even with the jump, it was struggling to turn over but after leaving it connected up for a bit, and after a few glow plug warmings, eventually the BX coughed into life, albeit with a misfire and lots of smoke for a few seconds.

Wondering if I've got several issues here. Was surprised to get smoke and misfiring after fitting new glow plugs. Voltage at the plugs starts off at 8.5v and goes up only as far as 9.5v by the time the relay cuts power. Is this too low?

On top of this, I'm convinced that the starter is a dud. Even after letting it run for a goodly while and switching over, it seemed to struggle to crank the XUD back into life.

Needless to say, I've now parked it in a much easier place to give it a jump if necessary as I ponder my next move.

sdelasal · Post by **sdelasal** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:58 pm

voltage at the glow plugs should be close to battery voltage - can't be any higher. Steve

Post by **Defender110** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:11 pm

Sounds like you may have an engine earthing problem? I've not actually looked but I would imagine there will be an engine to body earthing strap somewhere, the smoke was probably excess fuel that was pumped into the engine whilst it was cranking but not starting.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:48 pm

I seem to remember he's tried bypassing the starter cables with a set of jump leads. If that was just the positive lead then I'd agree with what Kevan is suggesting. The earth lead attaches to the gearbox, and if there is a significant voltage drop across it, it will be warm or even hot to the touch. Or alternatively connect the voltmeter wires to each end of the earth lead - see if there is a significant drop across it.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:21 pm

I haven't actually tried the bypass, as I couldn't really get in with the cables. Earth does sound a good possibility. There is an extra earth cable fitted from down where the starter attaches to the negative terminal though, so I would have thought that would have helped.

Needless to say, it wouldn't start again this morning, so I've gone away in the 2CV. Will get on with the BX next week.

Post by **Defender110** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 5:16 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:There is an extra earth cable fitted from down where the starter attaches to the negative terminal though, so I would have thought that would have helped.

Yes if that is a good earth it does eliminate an earth problem.