Help with diesel technical problem

[finers]

Hey Guys,
Seems a simple problem with the mothers diesel car, "1.8cdti focus sport" car is having major trouble starting when it's cold,
Sometimes you would have to turn it over so much that the battery might get drained, this is not an issue at all when the weathers warm
but if it's anyway cold in the morning it wont start, i know squat about diesel engines but presume its the heaters? i replaced the front 3 the back is too hard to get at but still no joy, she starts on a tow alright.

The funny thing is i looked on the focus forums and 2 hours before there was a thread posted with exact same query!, and didly replies:o

Sean.

[Muad_dib77]

It sounds like the glow rods are gone alright.

I'd get a ford mechanic to diagnose..

[colm_mcm]

sounds like glow plugs.

worst case scenario you have compression problems caused by a leaking head gasket.

[finers]

Ye i replaced three of the plugs so i doubt its them, it's like there not heating, or not heating for long enough, could be coincidence but i turned the key on and off thismorning around 10 times and it started allot easy'r, was like by doing this i turned the heaters on and off by doing this instead of one turn that only heated them for a split second?

Also head casket? i really thought this wouldnt cause this problem as its fine when the weather isnt freezing

[gfalls]

The main problem is, its a Ford... Nuff said

Certainly sounds like the glow plugs alright..

[colm_mcm]

diesel ignotion is dependant mostly on compression, it's a lot harder to start diesels in cold weather, a compression leak would show itself up a lot more in the winter. I'd assume its just the plugs though.

Newer type engines tend to go through glow plugs more than old ones.
If you could do a diagnostic on it it may help, I know the Toyotas can tell you if the need plugs via the computer.

[steelroe]

You have more or less proved it is the glow plug preheat system is at fault. Either faulty glow plugs or control unit. Next time you are starting time how long the heater light stays on the dash. Run a 12v supply direct to the plugs for approx 10 second and then get someone the try ahd start.

[finers]

You have more or less proved it is the glow plug preheat system is at fault. Either faulty glow plugs or control unit. Next time you are starting time how long the heater light stays on the dash. Run a 12v supply direct to the plugs for approx 10 second and then get someone the try ahd start.

Thanks Rory, should the heater light come on once you turn the egnition? and am i correct in thinking the heating light is the one which has a coil sysmbol?

Sean

[steelroe]

glowplug light can be seen here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glowplug.
will illuminate once ignition switch is turned on and then go out after a number of seconds. you then try and start the vehicle

[steelroe]

http://www.tdocuk.com/viewtopic.php?f=4 ... w=previous

http://www.tdocuk.com/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=5955

[finers]

Thanks Rory, great help, but i hate on the forums when someone fixes the problem which i presume they have they don't post a fix,

I definitely think the glow plugs are not heating for long enough, i'll book her in with Paul when he's back at work on Monday, not sure if i could tackle this problem myself without running a diagnostic.

[steelroe]

Could also be corroded connection to the glow plugs. Why did you only change 3 of the 4 plugs, you should have 4,one per cylinder

[finers]

i'll try and test if power is going to them or their getting hot later, i only replaced 3 as the forth is buried in the back kinda like the back three in the fto set-up