Sprinter 311 CDI Cold Starting Problems

[J-TacS]

Having problems starting my 2004 2.2 CDI Sprinter on cold mornings even after replacing all the glow plugs and the relay. The glow plug warning light is still staying on for around a minute after starting. A test shows that there is power to the plugs so I am at a loss as to what the problem could be. Can anyone suggest anything that I may be missing? Thanks in advance

 

[Cnics]

Just to clarify, you say the light stays on for a minute after it's started. But are we to assume that the van actually starts OK but the light stays on. Or the van also struggles to start.

You do mentioned that you're having problems starting, but don't state whether it's actual starting trouble or just the glow plug light. Maybe i'm used to other forums i frequent for my line of work where there are so many variables.

 

[J-TacS]

To clarify, no the van struggles to start but only on cold mornings. I have had to use Easy Start on a couple of occasions which I don't really like doing. Once started the glow plug light remains on for around a minute.

 

[ANDYF]

Cold start problem

Hi, I have a similar problem with a 2003 311CDI (glowpugs have been replaced & still takes forever to fire up from cold), but glow lamp stays on continuosly.

Have you had any joy ?

Will change relay & if no luck maybe diagnostic, does anyone know someone good for this (ideally southeast) ?

Thanks

 

[D3AN]

Would suggest an injector test, and inspection of monitoring valve seals located on the end of the common rail.

 

[ANDYF]

Cold start problem

Thanks for reply, will get seals looked at/replaced.
Do you know if injectors have to be removed for testing or can this be done via diagnostic ?
Cheers

 

[mister_cee333]

A common problem on the 2150cc cdi engine is injectors leaking off. They are tested by basically taking a length of hose from each injector and measuring the quantity of diesel going into jam jars. The one with much more diesel than the rest is the faulty one. You need the correct connections tho. Any decent diesel fuel injection specialist should be able to do this for an hour or so labour. You're probably looking at £200 or so for diagnosis, removal, repair of one injector if that's your fault.

 

[ANDYF]

Cold start problem

Thanks again, diagnostic has shown fault with "raill pressure monitoring control variation".
Is this just the seals

 

[BlackC55]

That is the sensor at the back of the rail causing that fault code. You mayfind the cause to be the injector are leaking off causing a lack of fuel pressure giving you this code. A leak off test needs to be done.

 

[ANDYF]

Thanks, will get leak off test done & report back.

 

[D3AN]

Probably 1 of the seals on the monitoring valve has gone (usually the small rubber one on the front), you can pick up a set of monitoring valve seals for a few quid from mb, not a difficult job to do to replace them.

 

[ANDYF]

Van all o.k. now, no.2 injector replaced & no.1 repaired. Thanks to all for advice.:-D

 

[TERENCE J]

cold start 313 cdi

I have a simmilar fault with 313cdi 03 model. Glow Plug light comes on for 1second but no glow plug operation and when started [after about 10 seconds cranking] the glow light stays on for 1 minute. where is glow control unit.I thought i would check glow plugs first then maybe fuel seals , injectors etc