Diesel cold starting problem

[Ricko61]

I have a 51 reg C270 CDI (W203). Over the last few days it has been reluctant to start from cold. The glow plug light comes on, the engine fires and runs for about half a second, then it stalls. It will then crank over three or four times to no avail before it will start. No starting problem at all once the engine is warm, which obviously points to glow plugs, but I'm a bit thrown by this initial crank over and stall.

Any thoughts please?

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

My guess would be a air leak in the fuel system.

If you have a glow plug issue then the glow plug light will go off quicker than normal and then come back on and stay on after it starts for a few minutes.

 

[piestore]

cdi start problem

HI

Its not glow plugs this engine doesn't require glow plugs to start. they are for emmision purposes only, it could be an injetor with to much leak off, the more likley given your description is air in the fuel line. the most common place for these to fail is the O ring on the fuel line going into the low pressure pump usually when the vehilce has done 70,000 miles plus. To diagnose remove the black corrigated platic from the fuel line ( fuel filter to low press pump) this allows a visible check to see if air is present in the line before trying to start
good luck

 

[Ricko61]

Thanks for the replies Guys. I'll have a look over the next couple of days.

 

[dava]

Before you do all of the above, and buy the way it's not glow plugs, try the black plastic non return valve on top of the fuel filter. It's held in by two torx screws, this allows fuel to drain back over night if faulty. They are only a few pounds to buy.