Diesel insignia refusing to start in cold

[dave h 2]

If it's been more than a month since you last fuelled it or your garage doesn't move much diesel try warming the fuel filter, it could be waxing.

 

[rb02259]

You can check the resistance of a glow plug without removing them if they are wired individually or you can check the current draw if you have a dc clamp meter. My VW ones usually have a resistance of approx one ohm, not sure on more modern vehicles but you should be able to compare the readings from different glow plugs.

Thanks I don't have a dc amp meter but wouldn't be against buying one to check if necessary as I do all my own work to the cars

 

[rb02259]

If it's been more than a month since you last fuelled it or your garage doesn't move much diesel try warming the fuel filter, it could be waxing.

Thanks it could be more than a month

I'm off work studying for exams atm so car spends a lot of time in driveway and not much milage done. Will try warm it if problem persists also have a clean fuel filter lying around so might pop that in or will when I next refuel

 

[JOEPRO]

You can check the resistance of a glow plug without removing them if they are wired individually or you can check the current draw if you have a dc clamp meter. My VW ones usually have a resistance of approx one ohm, not sure on more modern vehicles but you should be able to compare the readings from different glow plugs.

There is also another method I've used - use a lead connected to the battery + and tap the wire onto the terminal of each glow plug. If there is a little spark, they are drawing current and therefore not open circuit.

Works - however have to be careful with the much newer cars as IIRC they can have 5v glow plugs something like that so could damage them. A common cheapie test lamp could even be used to test the plugs but that's fancy compared to the wire tap method

 

[rb02259]

There is also another method I've used - use a lead connected to the battery + and tap the wire onto the terminal of each glow plug. If there is a little spark, they are drawing current and therefore not open circuit.

Works - however have to be careful with the much newer cars as IIRC they can have 5v glow plugs something like that so could damage them. A common cheapie test lamp could even be used to test the plugs but that's fancy compared to the wire tap method

Great thanks all

Charge finished there when tested with battery tester after fully charged it says good charge but interesting when I did a crank test with battery tester it said cranking low so could be battery after all

Will monitor in coming days and check glow plugs

 

[Erie Fred]

If it's been more than a month since you last fuelled it or your garage doesn't move much diesel try warming the fuel filter, it could be waxing.

Interesting.
UK diesel fuel does not come with winter additive (anti waxing) ?
My local distributors add it when delivering in the winter as a normal thing.

 

[Barking Mat]

Interesting.
UK diesel fuel does not come with winter additive (anti waxing) ?
My local distributors add it when delivering in the winter as a normal thing.

Yep, they do.

 

[Shedendman]

I see no ones mentioned that dreadfull stuff easy start,DONT,maybe if your really deep in the poo poo,but to much use and the damn thing will never start without at any time,ask me how i know

 

[rb02259]

I see no ones mentioned that dreadfull stuff easy start,DONT,maybe if your really deep in the poo poo,but to much use and the damn thing will never start without at any time,ask me how i know

Read my first question haha I bought some but haven't used any yet as I was questioning the instructions lol

 

[premmington]

Interesting.
UK diesel fuel does not come with winter additive (anti waxing) ?
My local distributors add it when delivering in the winter as a normal thing.

UK derv sold at pumps comes in two grades.

Summer cloud point is minus 4 degrees C

Winter cloud point is minus 12 degrees C

The swap or adding of additive used to happen - from 15 November to 15 March (why the 15th I don't know?)


Cloud point is not waxing - cloud point is it being able to to flow thru a 45 micron fitler. Waxing happens at a lower temp and you get no flow when waxing happens.

I not seen any diesel wax up since the early 1980's in the UK and I run a car repair garage.

 

[brightspark]

Interesting idea will definitely bear that in mind for future non starts

the best is take the air filter off get an oily rag light it and stick it over the intake and crank the engine black smoke goes in with a bit of flame and off it goes used to start my twin lister with it in winter

 

[rb02259]

the best is take the air filter off get an oily rag light it and stick it over the intake and crank the engine black smoke goes in with a bit of flame and off it goes used to start my twin lister with it in winter

Haha erm not sure I'd have the nerve for that one lol!

 

[Robotstar5]

the best is take the air filter off get an oily rag light it and stick it over the intake and crank the engine black smoke goes in with a bit of flame and off it goes used to start my twin lister with it in winter

My dad would tell me tales of doing that to start lorries in the 40's, he would use a blowlamp to warm up the intake manifold on his Landy in the 70's.

OP could try warming the manifold with a modern gas torch?

 

[rb02259]

My dad would tell me tales of doing that to start lorries in the 40's, he would use a blowlamp to warm up the intake manifold on his Landy in the 70's.

OP could try warming the manifold with a modern gas torch?

Thanks yeh potentially someone also mentioned a hot air gun in air intake which might be an idea

Car parked up for the night so will see what the morning brings. Weather looks to become milder but if glow plugs I'd like to change them as someone else said can have knock on effects on dpf regens etc

 

[Smallfry]

My dad would tell me tales of doing that to start lorries in the 40's, he would use a blowlamp to warm up the intake manifold on his Landy in the 70's.

OP could try warming the manifold with a modern gas torch?

Inlet manifold is likely plastic .........

With ANY diesel, its always best to fit the biggest and highest capacity battery possible. OP said battery is quite old, and car gets infrequent use, so IMO this will be the problem. There is nothing more useless than a vehicle that won't start.

If you do resort to using easy start, Spray into the intake for a second, then try to start ASAP. If it catches, it will make an awful clacking noise for a few seconds. If it stops, repeat.
Whatever you do, DO NOT stand there constantly spraying while someone cranks the engine. If it does start, this is highly likely to cause damage.

If you do try to remove the glowplugs, be aware they are quite fragile, and sometimes seize in the cylinder head and snap off if you apply too much force.

 

[Barking Mat]

Yeah, changing glow plugs is like Russian roulette, unless the cylinder head is on the work bench.

 

[rb02259]

Inlet manifold is likely plastic .........

With ANY diesel, its always best to fit the biggest and highest capacity possible. OP said battery is quite old, and car gets infrequent use, so IMO this will be the problem.

If you do resort to using easy start, Spray into the intake for a second, then try to start ASAP. If it catches, it will make an awful clacking noise for a few seconds. If it stops, repeat.
Whatever you do, DO NOT stand there constantly spraying while someone cranks the engine. If it does start, this is highly likely to cause damage.

If you do try to remove the glowplugs, be aware they are quite fragile, and sometimes seize in the cylinder head and snap off if you apply too much force.

Thanks yeh that's right intake is a plastic manifold

Won't be using easy start unless really stuck

Will check battery with tester and multimeter again in morning and probably replace

I know the glowplugs can be a nightmare although never done them so hoping won't be needed

 

[Shedendman]

Read my first question haha I bought some but haven't used any yet as I was questioning the instructions lol

My statement wasn't directed at you/your first question

 

[Kayos]

My understanding is the glow plugs are generally easy to swap, the thread is a long way from the cylinder.

The problem is the ones with a sensor are very expensive

 

[dobbslc]

If it's been more than a month since you last fuelled it or your garage doesn't move much diesel try warming the fuel filter, it could be waxing.

You could have some summer fuel left that's got no additives, fill up at a BP or Shell station NOT Tesco or Sainsbury's etc with new fuel.

glow plugs I'd like to change them

Test them first and if they are ok leave them well alone unless you want to fit a new head gasket as well...

As others have said it's often the battery in this sort of weather, they really do just die overnight sometimes.

Edit: Sorry I've quoted @dave h 2 by mistake but the fuel thing still stands.