starting problems

[Dr Bungle]

Thanks for all the posts guys, am still attempting a self-diagnosis (on my bongo not me!) slightly lost when it comes to testing the plugs for a current as im not really sure what im doing but im looking into it now so hopefully i will be up to speed soon enough. sounds like checking the above may be the key to deterniming the source of the problem.

thought id take the opportunity to update some of the points raised in the posts:

i found the plug relay beside the battery and it does make a clearly audible click when the key is turned, does this mean it is working ok or could it still be faulty?

unfortunately when i took bongo to the garage, i relied on the RAC mans' diagnosis that the plugs were faulty, thus no come back with garage. RAC guy told me it was showing a charge but not the full amount, i think the numbers he quoted were that it should read 90 but read about 20-25 instead, not sure what the units are in this case but he reckoned it meant that probably 2 plugs were faulty.

when i attempt a start, the engine turns over and over....and over....and over....and over etc but never even sounds like it is about to go. the only time i have managed to get it going was when i used a can of volatile aromatics in the air intake (the trusty old cold start trick) although i dont like to do this really as im never sure what it might do to the engine. once it has started up initially, it will start ok for the rest of the day (or until the engine goes completely cold) hense initially suspecting a glow plug problem

the garage were aware of the 2 different plug sizes at the time, they got in both types because they wornt sure which was correct so im presuming that they used the right ones at the time (at least i hope!)

Once again many thanks for all the advice ill post my findings if they are of any use

[francophile1947]

Have you actually checked that power is getting to the plugs?

[dandywarhol]

As franco says - put a test light onto the glowplug feed bar (the metal flat bar which connects them all) and the other wire to any earth point on the engine - turn on the ignition key and see if the testlamp lights up. If the engine isn't started within around 15 seconds the light will go out - otherwise the lamp should stay in for up to 3/4 minutes in this weather

http://www.bongoogle.co.uk/details.asp? ... &section=9

[tomsk]

Dear Dr Bungle

I too have this problem, and got my mechanic to check my glow plugs, all ok.

I found using supermarket fuels made the problem worse, and started adding a fuel additive, making it just a little worse.

I now found filling up with normal Shell diesel, and not adding anything has started to make the Bongo start better as time goes on.

A month ago I wondered if it would ever run on start up, now it only chugs for a second then ticks over normally.

Jut a thought?

Regards

Tom

[Trouble at t'Mill]

Dr Bongo.

To answer your questions, a 'click' from the relay isn't enough in itself to show the glow plug circuit is working fine - but if it hadn't clicked, then you'd definitely know it was faulty!

I'd have thought that the garage would have checked there was power getting to the rail, but perhaps not - I guess the engine would have been warm enough to start without the help of the plugs when they replaced them.

(I recall from my distant past that the engine starter spray should only be used sparingly - something you feel too.)

Do you have any form of tester such as a meter or even a 12V bulb with fly leads? If so, it's dead easy to check if there is power getting to your G-P rail as mentioned previously; clip one end to the exposed metal power rail on the glowplugs, and the other to earth. Turn on the ignition and the lamp should light up for the same duration as the 'coil' symbol on the dash, and then go out.

If this works, then it's most likely the problem lies elsewhere (very unlikely the new g-ps are faulty...)

[mister munkey]

Probably been mentioned already but cold start problems can be eased 9 times out of 10 by waiting an extra few seconds after the glowplug light goes out before cranking over.

Mine is lumpy if I flick too quick but leaving it 'till the Rooflight goes out & the radio comes on it's as smooth as very smooth silk.

Give it a go - y'never know . . .

[Dr Bungle]

hi guys,

ive now tested the glow plug bar and found that it carries a 12 volt charge to the glow plugs when ignition is turned on, as my plugs are new im presuming that the problem now lies with a fuel delivery issue perhaps? however im not noticing any problems once the engine is started and driving, if i had an injection issue would this not show whilst driving? anybody got any ideas?

any help greatly received

bungle

[dandywarhol]

Take off the feed bar and check the resistance of the plugs one by one with an ohmeter. There should be roughly 1 ohmm. I've got an mistrust of cheap glowplugs

[spout]

when i attempt a start, the engine turns over and over....and over....and over....and over etc but never even sounds like it is about to go. the only time i have managed to get it going was when i used a can of volatile aromatics in the air intake (the trusty old cold start trick) although i dont like to do this really as im never sure what it might do to the engine. once it has started up initially, it will start ok for the rest of the day (or until the engine goes completely cold) hense initially suspecting a glow plug problem

Once it fired up was the exhaust steamy?
And have you been experiencing coolant loss at all?

A leaking head gasket (coolant getting into the bores) can give these symptoms.

[bigdaddycain]

Probably been mentioned already but cold start problems can be eased 9 times out of 10 by waiting an extra few seconds after the glowplug light goes out before cranking over.

Mine is lumpy if I flick too quick but leaving it 'till the Rooflight goes out & the radio comes on it's as smooth as very smooth silk.

Give it a go - y'never know . . .

Ditto here too chris... It was so cold here at 6.45 this morning, i had to pour some luke warm water around the door to unfreeze it from it's seal, the "long duration" glowplug start procedure fired her straight up after the bongo being stood here motionless for a week or more.