rough engine startup

[zippy]

take it is normal for the diesel to sound rough till engine oil starts circlating?

I don't rev the engine till it does.

[rita]

If it sounds rough IE main bearings / big ends rattling you have a problem.(or the engine has a problem).
How long does it take for the oil warning light to go out and does it sound rough until the light goes out??

[helen&tony]

Hi
Some cheap oil filters will do that for you...The oil drains back, as there are no valves to stop the oil draining. There are a number of filters suitable from Mann, Bosch, and Japanese originals.I had a period where I used the only available filters off the shelf, and had the "clatters"...I now order filters in!...no trouble.
Cheers
Helen

[Simon Jones]

How would you describe 'rough'? Is it chuggy/lumpy which might suggest glowplugs (often accompanied with white/grey exhaust), or metallic/clattery which is a more mechanical sound which could point to oil pressure/viscosity issues? When was the van last serviced and has it always sounded this way? A small amount of clatter for a second or so at startup is not uncommon especially with higher mileage but if it persists then it could be a problem with valve clearances or general wear and tear.

[zippy]

Sounds like an old tractor for about 3 seconds, then normal diesel purr, engine does not smoke.

Thins is overnight standing, don't remember it doing it from being used in the day.

I'll vid it later.

[rita]

Sounds like an old tractor for about 3 seconds, then normal diesel purr, engine does not smoke.

Thins is overnight standing, don't remember it doing it from being used in the day.

I'll vid it later.

Does the oil warning light go out the same time as the old tractor leaves??

[zippy]

Ok it is when the oil light goes out, when it goes to puring.

https://soundcloud.com/fantasticola/engine-tractor

I've had to edit it a little to get the coolant alarm to not drown everything out, should be load enough for everyone to hear.

The oil filter i think is ADC42105

[rita]

Sounds like the old tractor doesn't want to leave you, at least you have a good quality filter fitted.

[zippy]

sure that the number i used for my filter down @ LVW in Birkenhead.

They'll give you equivalent

think it takes like nearly 1 litre.

[Northern Bongolow]

if you listen carefully to the sound clip you will hear the bongo struggle to turn over to start, then the low coolant alarm takes ages to go off then as the motor has been running for a couple of seconds the glow plugs get hot and sweeten the engine.

all the above point to a struggling battery, or the alternator not putting enough in. or a glow plug shorting to earth (faulty.)

with a fully charged battery the engine should turn faster, the glow plugs would be heating up from the start of the attempt to start it, and the voltage would be high enough to put off the low coolant alarm quickly.

[rita]

if you listen carefully to the sound clip you will hear the bongo struggle to turn over to start, then the low coolant alarm takes ages to go off then as the motor has been running for a couple of seconds the glow plugs get hot and sweeten the engine.

all the above point to a struggling battery, or the alternator not putting enough in. or a glow plug shorting to earth (faulty.)

with a fully charged battery the engine should turn faster, the glow plugs would be heating up from the start of the attempt to start it, and the voltage would be high enough to put off the low coolant alarm quickly.

I thought that was the warning beeper for lowering the Plough.

[Northern Bongolow]

could be, but i actually know this bongo fairly well having worked on it for a few years with the previous owner.

[zippy]

my battery was low at the time. Think they are cheap batteries.

Can I perm leave on the onboard power system and charge the battery off the mains 24/7?

[mikeonb4c]

if you listen carefully to the sound clip you will hear the bongo struggle to turn over to start, then the low coolant alarm takes ages to go off then as the motor has been running for a couple of seconds the glow plugs get hot and sweeten the engine.

all the above point to a struggling battery, or the alternator not putting enough in. or a glow plug shorting to earth (faulty.)

with a fully charged battery the engine should turn faster, the glow plugs would be heating up from the start of the attempt to start it, and the voltage would be high enough to put off the low coolant alarm quickly.

Indeed Ady. A really good heavy duty starter battery (say 95Ah) is a particularly good investment in a diesel Bongo I'd suggest as it ought to ensure the glowplugs stay glowing brightly even when cranking amps are being pulled from the battery. The result should be instant clean starts which in turn the battery has an easier life due to having to do less work cranking etc. over the years.

[zippy]

aye, but can i use the onboard electrical managemwent system in the back to mains 24/7 charge the battery / condition?