[Engine] replacing diesel fuel pipe

[Harry-A]

I've had the glow plugs out (last week) and tested them on the battery terminals, and the tips glowed readily, but only bright red.... not white hot.... hell, they aren't going to last long getting white hot? Anyway, they're only a couple of weeks old.... I couldn't get my head round valve clearances closing up, any engine I've ever had to sort, valve clearance wise, the valves were rattling badly, needing the clearances to be taken up, not slacked off. The valve recession bit makes it easier to understand,- so I'm assuming now that there's some kind of problem with the valve seats.... are they inserts, or just cut into the head material? I have (during the14 months I've owned this car) pumped the filter primer, this one's not got the squeezy rubber bulb, it's the plastic button thing that you press vertically down.... it's returned by a strong spring inside it, which doesn't give you any feedback as to wether it's been effective or not..... no difference to the cold start though. As the weather warmed towards summer (last year) the cold start problem all but disappeared, and I'm hoping for the same result this year. Thanks to all for your input.

[Johny555]

Bang a new starter on and keep on trucking..that blows that theory out the water about valves closing up,I think if glow plugs are red their OK...

[geoff]

Have a read of this post .. .http://www.berlingoforum.co.uk/thread-2259.html?highlight=valve+clearances

especially post number 6

I don't care if I'm right or wrong it is the poor blighter on the sharp end of bad advice that I think of .....

[terryd999]

Hi
I am with Col on this one, got very similar symptoms on my 1.9D definitely caused by diesel run back think mine is air ingress at primer pump, if mine doesn't start first turn of key in the morning it will take ages of turning and when it starts it will smoke badly for 30 seconds. I have actually thought about a none return valve myself. if i pump it it always starts 1st turn and then fine all day
Try a few good pumps on primer before you try it when cold just to eliminate  this possibility

[geoff]

He's already done the pumping thing .....

... I have (during the 14 months I've owned this car) pumped the filter primer ..... no difference to the cold start though.

[Johny555]

If that's the case why does the diesel run back on cold days?? Not hot days?

[geoff]

If that's the case why does the diesel run back on cold days?? Not hot days?

Show me where I said that happens ....

Oooh I know the diesel is starting to wax in the cold and causes a vacuum when pulled up the pipe

perhaps the poster hasn't paid his TV license

I know chuck a new starter motor on it that'll sort it out ......

[Johny555]

I never said you said that,but his prob is starting on cold days,warm days its fine so it can't be diesel run back can it?oh and the oil company's don't put wax in diesel over the winter period..

[brodfather11]

Hi Harry ,
             You originally asked about replacing a fuel line with a non-return valve in it .  You can use any pipe that will not collapse under vacuum. Try a piece of clear plastic replacement first , that way you will be able to see any air trapped in the pipe that has gathered overnight. If no air and it starts then obviously you have cured the problem or if air and wont start ,then investigate further back down the fuel line . There was a post once about the fuel pick up in the tank with a small leak there.

 As mentioned Glow plugs are a source of no/slow starting
 
 If no air and still wont start then go to other suggestions mentioned , I would leave the valve issue until all other cheaper/easier possibilities have been tried .    

[geoff]

Nobody has mentioned the cold start mechanism probably worth a look just in case. Info in Haynes