Starting problem

[Andy Brady]

Advice needed please.
I have a 2003 Berlingo van which has, for the the past year, has had difficultly starting in colder weather. Glow plugs and relay working fine. In the past, thought it may have been drawing air into fuel system and causing fuel to run back whilst parked overnight, but if that was the case, it would not only happen in colder temperatures. Once engine has benn started, there is an initial diesel knock/misfire at idle, and will start again without any problems. I have flattened 3 batteries trying to start van this morning without success. Any help will be much appreciated. Van has 126000m on clock.1.9d DW8 WJZ engine.

[ron]

My advice,for what it's worth is to change the fuel filter & check the valves aren't tight.alut:

[Tomcat3]

One thing worth checking on these engines if the glowplugs are all working correctly is the valve clearances. Quite a few on here have had starting problems and adjusting the valves has cured the problem.

[Andy Brady]

Many thanks, will try that tomorrow.

[Barkas]

How did you check the glow plugs.

[Andy Brady]

Checked glow plugs by continuity test with meter and by connecting plugs individually to power feed from relay.

[crickleymal]

Second that advice, check glowplugs, easy to take out and hook up to battery (but they will get red hot). Check fuel and filter then get valve clearances checked.

Mine were as tight as a tight thing. The garage man told me it swallowed his feeler gauges when he turned the engine over and wouldn't give them back. Once adjusted it made a huge difference. The car had done about 130k at that point.

[Andy Brady]

Checked glowplugs today and all working fine. Checked valve clearances. should be:- inlet .15mm, exhaust .30mm. Mines were:- inlet nil, exhaust .015" and .016", which converts to
:- ..38mm and .40mm. Hope to take vales and shim's out for measuring tomorrow or Friday. Thanks for your help guys.:woop:

[adam3rdcanvey]

Checked glowplugs today and all working fine. Checked valve clearances. should be:- inlet .15mm, exhaust .30mm. Mines were:- inlet nil, exhaust .015" and .016", which converts to
:- ..38mm and .40mm. Hope to take vales and shim's out for measuring tomorrow or Friday. Thanks for your help guys.:woop:

Yay, thanks for the feedback! Should work fine, is a nasty job though.. Why they are not easily adjustable is beyond me

[ron]

Fiat had the best idea.A tool is fitted to camshaft enabling the shims to be blown out with an airline.