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  #1  
Old 04-23-2006, 05:43 PM
Iggy's Avatar
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Hard starting when cold...Newbee needs help..

Hi,

I recently purchased a 1987 300D turbo, and for the past month (when the weather got warmer) It takes about 30 seconds of cranking befor she starts..
Once its running it runs great..
Had no issues with it in the winter, it would start in less then five seconds .... Got all new glowpugs in after I bought it in January..
I would appriciate any suggestions or help.. I live in Central MA...

Thanks,
Igor.

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  #2  
Old 04-23-2006, 05:45 PM
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Try waiting 20 seconds after the glow plug light shuts off for the glow plugs to warm up more. That should lead to smoother easier starting.

What kind of glow plugs did you get?
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  #3  
Old 04-23-2006, 06:28 PM
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I thought that in 60 degree weather glowplugs would not be needed anyway..?
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Old 04-23-2006, 07:16 PM
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That remark is subjective. I have had a few diesels that still prefer a few seconds glow when even warm to fire off. Otherwise they seem fine. Never knew the reason either. In your case it is easy and fairly quick to check how much glow function you have. Should do it as might lead to a truer cause like air in fuel or whatever once they are eliminated. Not wise to speculate until you are positive the glow circuit is fully functional anyways.
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Old 04-23-2006, 07:32 PM
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I will try as you suggest tomorow morining and see if there is any difference..
I did notice that is was getting worst progersively over past 3 or 4 weeks..
I replaced all of the glow plugs with new Bosch glow plugs.

The only other thing that happened is, I had a leak in one of the fuel lines leading to the filter that I replaced, but it was working fine for almost a month after that.
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  #6  
Old 04-23-2006, 09:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iggy
I thought that in 60 degree weather glowplugs would not be needed anyway..?

Not with the 603, they like to glow I don't care if its 100 degrees out.

Is the glow plug light working? I'd put a meter on those glow plugs your symptoms are text book failed glow plugs.

If the glow plugs are fine maybe nect your should try changing the delivery valve seals. You could be losing your prime.
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  #7  
Old 04-23-2006, 11:37 PM
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I'm going to watch this thread because my 603 starts hard when cold but runs good and starts instantly when engine is warm.

P E H
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  #8  
Old 04-23-2006, 11:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iggy

The only other thing that happened is, I had a leak in one of the fuel lines leading to the filter that I replaced, but it was working fine for almost a month after that.
If the fuel lines are not tight, air can leak in and allow fuel to run out of the lines and back into the tank. That could very well contribute to your problem. Before starting, see if there is still fuel in your primary (plastic) fuel filter.
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  #9  
Old 04-24-2006, 07:02 AM
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There is a large air buble in the primary fuel filter.
If the air is leaking into the system should I see the fuel leaking out from that area?

BTW, This morning I tried waiting about 20 seconds after the glow plug light went out.
NO DIFFERENCE in how it starts.
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  #10  
Old 04-24-2006, 07:54 AM
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First get a cheap digital meter if you do not own one. Attach one line on your glow plug or wiring going to it. You could also use a test light. Turn glow plugs on. Light should stay lit or meter should show voltage as long as glow light stays on. If it does your glow circuit is probably ok as you reciently changed the plugs I believe. The exception is of course if some plugs went bad even though fairly new. That is about the only way I can think of to get clear of possible problems with the glow circuit. You are forced to do some conclusive testing at this point. The light staying on in the dash is not totally conclusive. It is more an indication of what is happening in the glow circuit not an absolute. If the problem is not there then you move on. You cannot guess all is well even if it is. You have to know. Also with the meter you want to see about 11 volts out there. I like the ideal of some fuel drainback as someone mentioned. But again elimination of one thing before going on is about the only sensible course of action or it just becomes guesswork and highly frustrating to solve. That digital meter will be useful for the remainder of your life by the way if you do not own one now. Should be able to find one for the price of say four gallons of fuel. Just make sure it has a 300milli volt range on it for future applications.
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  #11  
Old 04-24-2006, 08:27 AM
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I will test the harness tonight when I get home...
If it is the issue of fuel draining back, how would I check for that????

Thank you
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  #12  
Old 04-24-2006, 11:20 AM
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Iggy,

An air bubble in the primary filter is normal. If any of that bubble is passed thru into the secondary filter, it will be passed back to the fuel tank thru the bleed hole in the top of the secondary filter.

The bubble is just there because it is above the outlet of the primary filter. If U had an opaque filter, U would never know it was there.

For fuel drain back, search along the fuel line for any wet spots. If air can leak in, fuel will usually leak out. Fill the tank completely before U look for the leak.

Use the search function for "cabin light" and follow the instructions. This will give U an idea if the GP are working OK.

P E H

Last edited by P.E.Haiges; 04-24-2006 at 11:57 AM.
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  #13  
Old 04-24-2006, 11:39 AM
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A 603 requires GP to start cold, no matter what the exterior temp is. Your dash light does come on, correct? Are you getting clouds of white smoke?

Check your GP fuse -- it's under the cover of the relay, left front inner fender. If cracked, replace.

Check the fuel lines on the suction side for fuel leakage -- replace if ANY traces of fuel present (it's leaking air, and can leak down to the tank). You may want to park nose down on a steep grade, if you have one handy, to check for leaks. Hard to diagnose, and it may run the battery down if the leak is bad.

Peter
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  #14  
Old 04-24-2006, 07:41 PM
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Well, I just changed both fuel filters.
Then I started checking the glow plug relay, harness and plugs..
At first I wasn't getting any power to the plugs at all....
Proceded to check if I got power at the Relay and after removing some connection at the relay box I did register power when the ignition was on.
I think there was a bad connection at the relay...????

After reconnecting all the wires back to the box I was getting a strong glow at each one of the plugs ( I didn't messure the voltage at plugs).
Also for the past two days when I was starting the car in the morning I was specifficaly listening for the "click" before cranking the engine and it never happened.

Now I can hear the "click" from the relay about 20+/- seconds after the cabin light has gone out.

Tomorrow morning will be the test to see if the issue was the GP relay connection...

Will keep you posted.
Thanks for all your help.

Igor.
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  #15  
Old 04-24-2006, 10:02 PM
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Bingo problem solved.

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