Hi Guys
Need the brains trust on this one. After the last service, my 3.2 struggles to start in the morning. About 7 to 10 seconds of cranking before it starts. No problems otherwise. During the service, the workshop added some injector cleaner and fortifier so I ignored this on the first tank of fuel. However it continued on the second tank so took it back to the workshop, to check the diesel filter seat and line. Came back healthy....
This only happens if the car has been standing for at least 6 to 8 hours. So if I park her at 2 in the morning and start at 8 it's fine. (Ask no questions) I'm guessing there is a small air leak somewhere, causing the diesel to drain out of the fuel line, or allowing air in. However, no obvious diesel leaks and no other symptoms.
Any suggestions?
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
Hi Lock,
A few thoughts:
1. Diesel filter not seated correctly / not tightened
2. Bum diesel filter
3. Water sensor at bottom of diesel filter bowl not fitted correctly / thread stripped
4. Starter turning over a little slower because person who changed filter dropped 1 litre of diesel over the top of it. (Strip and clean starter, check bearings, replace brushes, make sure they move correctly in brush guides...)
A few thoughts:
1. Diesel filter not seated correctly / not tightened
2. Bum diesel filter
3. Water sensor at bottom of diesel filter bowl not fitted correctly / thread stripped
4. Starter turning over a little slower because person who changed filter dropped 1 litre of diesel over the top of it. (Strip and clean starter, check bearings, replace brushes, make sure they move correctly in brush guides...)
Glow plugs??. Check fuse/relay and connections.
Sent from my GT-I9305
Sent from my GT-I9305
Should be easy enough to see if it is losing prime:
When the engine is cold, before trying to start:
1. Pop open the bonnet.
2. Manually prime the diesel circuit using the pump on top of the diesel filter housing until the pump is hard to push down.
3. See if the car starts easier then.
When the engine is cold, before trying to start:
1. Pop open the bonnet.
2. Manually prime the diesel circuit using the pump on top of the diesel filter housing until the pump is hard to push down.
3. See if the car starts easier then.
@ Andrew Thanks Andrew, you were spot on! Or as my son would say: O lookee lookee the big brain on that one! 
Sorry too me so long to say thanks, but been hectic.
Pumped it 3 days in a row before starting and it was perfect. Even lasted a couple of days after that, but suspect that was just a fluke. Back to the bad behaviour...
Going to take off the filter and pipes, check for leaks, clean contact areas and refit. Any other suggestions?
Sorry too me so long to say thanks, but been hectic.
Pumped it 3 days in a row before starting and it was perfect. Even lasted a couple of days after that, but suspect that was just a fluke. Back to the bad behaviour...
Going to take off the filter and pipes, check for leaks, clean contact areas and refit. Any other suggestions?
If you can feel the grass between your toe's, your flying too low!
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
3.5 GLS F/LIF 1998 Lost to the x wife
3200 Tdi GSL 2001 Written off
3200 Di-D 5Dr A/T 2002 338 000 Sold
3500i A/T 5Dr 2001 Sold
3.2 Di-Dc GLS A/T 2008
@Lock,
Picture the fuel supply side system as a sealed system, all the way to the injector nozzles, where the needle seats against the injector body. If no air can enter that system, then the system can't lose prime.
Now find where the air is entering = the same place that diesel may be exiting.
All I can think of is:
1. Connections from the fuel tank to the diesel injector pump and on to the injectors
2. Air bleed screw at fuel filter not nipped up (6Nm +-1Nm)
3. Water drain not nipped up (2.5Nm +- 0.5Nm)
4. Diesel filter housing not nipped up (14Nm +- 1Nm)
5. Pipes & connections at back of diesel injector pump
6. Pipes to individual injectors
7. Injector(s) leaking
8. Internal seals in injector pump
Picture the fuel supply side system as a sealed system, all the way to the injector nozzles, where the needle seats against the injector body. If no air can enter that system, then the system can't lose prime.
Now find where the air is entering = the same place that diesel may be exiting.
All I can think of is:
1. Connections from the fuel tank to the diesel injector pump and on to the injectors
2. Air bleed screw at fuel filter not nipped up (6Nm +-1Nm)
3. Water drain not nipped up (2.5Nm +- 0.5Nm)
4. Diesel filter housing not nipped up (14Nm +- 1Nm)
5. Pipes & connections at back of diesel injector pump
6. Pipes to individual injectors
7. Injector(s) leaking
8. Internal seals in injector pump
Andrew,
One question: If the system looses pressure, will it not have the same effect (difficult starting)? I know that as soon as you turn the key, the pump starts pumping and there should be fuel under pressure within a second or two. BUT if it system looses all pressure and possible also fuel out of the fuel lines, then it may take a while (maybe 3-5 secs) before there is sufficient pressure to spray the correct pattern into the cylinders.
Only asking.
Cloyd
One question: If the system looses pressure, will it not have the same effect (difficult starting)? I know that as soon as you turn the key, the pump starts pumping and there should be fuel under pressure within a second or two. BUT if it system looses all pressure and possible also fuel out of the fuel lines, then it may take a while (maybe 3-5 secs) before there is sufficient pressure to spray the correct pattern into the cylinders.
Only asking.
Cloyd
@Lock,
Tieing this back to the fact that the problem happened immediately after a service.
1. What was the actual muti (brand and product) that they poured into the fuel system to invigorate it and clean the injectors?
2. Is it not just a case that they did not prime the fuel filter fully?
When I change my fuel filter I pout 1 litre of diesel into it before screwing the filter bowl into the casing. Maybe there is still air trapped in yours?
Tieing this back to the fact that the problem happened immediately after a service.
1. What was the actual muti (brand and product) that they poured into the fuel system to invigorate it and clean the injectors?
2. Is it not just a case that they did not prime the fuel filter fully?
When I change my fuel filter I pout 1 litre of diesel into it before screwing the filter bowl into the casing. Maybe there is still air trapped in yours?