hot start question

Hi,

My 1500D starts instantly from cold after the glowplugs have switched off, but if the engine is warm it needs to churn for a couple of seconds before it fires and starts with a puff or smoke.

Is there a simple way of making the glowplugs heat even if the engine is hot, simply to speed up starting and reduce the wear on the starter motor?

Any ideas?

Robin

You can take the wire off the temp sensor on the gearbox end of the head and this will give you the maximum 30-45 seconds of heater plug but once it's warm you shouldn't have trouble starting it??

Is the timing set up right?

blans said

You can take the wire off the temp sensor on the gearbox end of the head and this will give you the maximum 30-45 seconds of heater plug but once it's warm you shouldn't have trouble starting it??

Is the timing set up right?

Hi,

I've never touched the timing, as it runs so well. It restarts instantly when the engine is hot if you've just switched off - the problem is if you leave it for more than a couple of minutes, but not long enough for the engine to cool.

A friend who knows a lot about diesels said, like you, that I should disconnect the engine temp sensor to let it preheat every time.

Maybe I should check the timing, but that's a bit scary on a diesel, isn't it? I was so careful not to move anything when I changed the timing belt…

So it should start instantly when hot too - that would be nice.

Robin

timing could be an issue for this

but my issue with hot starting is that the diesel in the fuel line after the filter and the pump drains back to the tank alittle,
this is cause by leaks in the pump seals and other bit (nothing to worry about)
but it ment it had to crack a few times when hot

simple none return valve sorted it in the fuel line

jellybelly said

timing could be an issue for this

but my issue with hot starting is that the diesel in the fuel line after the filter and the pump drains back to the tank alittle,
this is cause by leaks in the pump seals and other bit (nothing to worry about)
but it ment it had to crack a few times when hot

simple none return valve sorted it in the fuel line

Ok, that's easy to fix, but wouldn't the symptoms be the same when cold? My car starts instantly from cold…

Robin

mine only does it when hot

think the main course it the pump shaft seal when hot allows air in when cold it doent

that what i read a while ago

Just ordered a non-return valve (£4.15 on ebay)

I'll keep you informed,

thanks again,
Robin

Ok, just a quick update.

The non-return valve didn't seem to make a difference, neither did shunting the temp sensor to lengthen pre-heat time, but a new battery made things better, for a week or so. After being stranded after a fuel fill-up and the engine not firing at all I decided to have a look at the starter motor, which was not that fast.
The engine restarted easily with a push to get me home, and a scrappy provided a Golf 2 TD starter motor, which is physically smaller but does the job.

I opened it up, cleaned the commutator and admired the brand-new look inside, greased the greasy parts and fitted it.

Since then the engine starts much more easily from cold and instantly from hot.

Thanks to all!
Robin