Cold Startin Problems

[achohan]

Hi there. I've had problems starting my E220 recently from cold, I've had the glow plugs replaced as they were shot but the problems still there. When I try and start my car the glow plug light comes on and goes off within two seconds (which seems unusal) even before I crank the car over. My local garage aren't really sure what the problem can be as it only happens when the cars cold. Any ideas folks??????

 

[roadhog]

Two seconds seems very short. Are they the correct plugs for your car? The next thing in the system would be the glow plug relay, perhaps Malcolm has a test procedure for it.

 

[turbopete]

id start by checking the clear plastc fuel lines for air bubbles. they have rubber seals on them which are very prone to allowing air to get into the fuel after a while. they just go hard with age. new seals will cure it. thats where id start as the seals are not at all expensive. if they are £1 each they wont be much more

 

[turbopete]

Two seconds seems very short. Are they the correct plugs for your car? The next thing in the system would be the glow plug relay, perhaps Malcolm has a test procedure for it.

easy way i tested the whole glow plug circuit including the relay was to put a voltmeter on the battery, switch the ignition on and see how much by and how long the battery voltage drops for

 

[roadhog]

I don't see how air in fuel would affect the glow time TP.
Does the glow relay just work on a time basis or does it get some feedback from the plugs as to their temperature? That's the bit I meant when mentioning the test.

 

[achohan]

You guys are the business. I'll speak to my garage and let them know your thoughts. Hopefully it shuold shed some light on the problems and provide a cure. I'll let you know the outcome. All the best

 

[turbopete]

I don't see how air in fuel would affect the glow time TP.
Does the glow relay just work on a time basis or does it get some feedback from the plugs as to their temperature? That's the bit I meant when mentioning the test.

i was thinking about the poor starting, rather than the glow time. the cdi engine barely needs glowplugs anyhow. dads light was coming on telling him he had a problem with the glowplugs, but it started fine. he had 3 of his 4 plugs off

 

[achohan]

Thanks again. I suppose the issue could be around the fact the glow plug light doesn't stay on long enough - shouldn't it be for around 10 seconds???? Also after starting the car the MPG is showing 15 MPG, it was normally around 28 MPG on start up.

 

[roadhog]

You guys are the business.

Ha ha, we're just the reserve team while the regular heavyweights are out enjoying themselves. Just wait 'til they get back.

On my car the time the glow plug light stays on varies with the outside and engine temperature which leads me to think the relay gets some feedback from somewhere.

 

[turbopete]

Ha ha, we're just the reserve team while the regular heavyweights are out enjoying themselves. Just wait 'til they get back.

On my car the time the glow plug light stays on varies with the outside and engine temperature which leads me to think the relay gets some feedback from somewhere.

the glow plugs do go out much quicker on cdi engines than the older engines like we have

 

[achohan]

Thanks, I couldn't get it started at all earlier and had to call out the RAC, they got the car started, there was air in the fuel system. The RAC chap used to work for Mercedes and he thnks it could be the O rings (leaking in air overnight to the system hence why its hard to start in the morning). Back to the garage next week then. Also he said that modern CDi's don't really need glow plugs to start as long as the pressure is above 100 bars, they really come into their own when the temp is really, really cold.....

 

[turbopete]

i may not know much, but dad has a cdi and ive got air in fuel problems, hence my thoughts on air in fuel etc. as i said earlier, the 'o' rings are very cheap and should cure your problem. hope youre sorted soon

 

[achohan]

Just thought you should know that my cars in at the garage at the moment having the O rings changed. Hopefully this will cure the starting problems, I'll let you know the outcome tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed!!!!!

 

[Alex Crow]

note: the glow plugs are still energised after the light goes out.

 

[Rappey69]

My glow plug light only stays on for around 2 seconds .
Use to have starting problems but courtesey of help from this forum have replaced fuel lines and had an injector replaced and now the car starts instantly every time, hot or cold

 

[television]

My glow plug light only stays on for around 2 seconds .
Use to have starting problems but courtesey of help from this forum have replaced fuel lines and had an injector replaced and now the car starts instantly every time, hot or cold

Happy customers, you cannot beat it

 

[achohan]

Thought you should know that the O rings have been replaced and some of the fuel lines but the car failed to start again this morning. Any ideas guys, could it be the injectors letting in air somewhere?

 

[Rappey69]

Having been through this myself would suggest having a leak off test done on your injectors. Basically seeing if the fuel is bypassing the injector therefore not getting up to pressure so not firing.I did this test myself but it was inconclusive.
took it to a specialist and it was seen instantly.
If one injector is faulty it will cause this problem . A new one is around £200 and possibly £50 to fit it.

 

[achohan]

Thanks, apart from the injectors could it be anything else????

 

[Rappey69]

theres a sensor at the end of the common rail...
The test takes about 5 mins but would suggest take it somewhere that does mercedes rather than your friendly garage around the corner as the merc man will have the proper equipment to deal with it, saving time and money.