1.9 td hard to start

[midsmike]

hi can some 1 please help me my brother has a 1999 406 1.9 td the problem is its hard to start hot or cold but once in a blue moon it will start as it should ive changed glow plugs done timing and its still the same wen it starts it runs fine even if its been running for an hour and u turn it of it will take ages to start

[omega]

have you changed the fuel filter?

[midsmike]

yes hes had the car just over a year and its been like it since day 1 we was told it was timing so we did that it has had 3 services since hes had it and it still takes ages to start thanks

[gumby6371]

Mike, have you tried the priming bulb, if it's soft you've got air in the fuel system, pump the hand primer until it pretty solid then give her a try.

If that's your problem it will be a pin hole somewhere between the primer and the fuel return pipe, leak off pipes or perished priming bulbs are most likely but also make sure the seal is nice and tight on the fuel filter housing.

[midsmike]

well they dont seem to be any leaks and it that was the problem would it still be hard to start straight after u turn it off

[omega]

well they dont seem to be any leaks and it that was the problem would it still be hard to start straight after u turn it off

yes
cause the fuel would drain /air get into the system
can you see any air bubbles in the pipe?
if so you need to crack off a injector pipe to bleed it

[midsmike]

no never saw any air in the pipes

[omega]

Mike, have you tried the priming bulb, if it's soft you've got air in the fuel system, pump the hand primer until it pretty solid then give her a try.

If that's your problem it will be a pin hole somewhere between the primer and the fuel return pipe, leak off pipes or perished priming bulbs are most likely but also make sure the seal is nice and tight on the fuel filter housing.

so have you tried this

[midsmike]

tried that and no joy could it b somthing to do with the solenoid on the pump

[ally406]

Take it out and drive it hard. Do you notice any power loss or reluctance to rev? This would indicate air in the fuel line or some other obstruction like the fuel filter. If not, I would say you are looking at some other issue. Does the orange glow plug light come on when you put the ignition on? I'm wondering if it's a problem with the plug relay? I suppose it could be a pump solenoid issue but usually I hear about these being stuck open and the engine doesn't go off with the ignition.

[ally406]

I should also mention that if I've had a filter that's starting to plug, or air in the line, this seems to trigger the engine management light. The ECU can detect low pressure in the pump. Have you seen the EML come on?

[midsmike]

thanks for replying and no never anyloss in power and nothink to do with glow plugs ive put a live sraight from the battery and still hard to start wen its running it pulls like a horse the revs are a bit high tho

[ally406]

It idles too fast? What rpm does it idle at? Do you get any smoke from the exhaust when you are cranking trying to start?

[marty1979]

I see that you mentioned earlier that the timing has been checked, did you just pin the sprockets or did you actually reset the position of the pump in relation to the sprocket. What I mean is, the pump can be adjusted by loosening the sprocket and turning the center bolt of the pump clockwise or anti-clockwise, advancing or retarding the timing.

[midsmike]

hi yes i did just pin the sprockets how else do u do it and it sits at 10000 rpm thanks