1.9d cold start problem

[Mishmat]

Hi all, my bingo ms has decided it doesn't want to start so easily when cold!! I'm quite handy with tools so just wanted to know a starting point before I throw money at the wrong parts!!  it's a 04 1.9d with 77k and regularly serviced - it's been running and starting fine for months but I recently left it for a week and went to start it and it took a good few seconds and turns to get going followed by a cloud of grey/black smoke (reminded me of my dads old black cabs lol) the smoke cleared, it ran fine and I thought nothing of it as it started fine when warm. The problem is, it's getting worse - taking longer to start!! Once started it runs perfect!!!
Any advice would be appreciated - ta

[ron]

Glow plugs or relay?The mileage is a bit low to suspect tight valve clearances.

[Mishmat]

Glow plugs or relay?The mileage is a bit low to suspect tight valve clearances.

I thought glow plugs as a rule of thumb - I had a nosey through the forum and someone mentioned priming - so I did and noticed small air bubbles every now and then in the clear fuel pipe as I primed it!! Could there be a leak somewhere?

[jj9]

Best try one thing at a time to pin point the cause, don't go changing two things at the same time as you won't know what the cause was!

Check the glow plugs & relay first.




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[Mishmat]

Best try one thing at a time to pin point the cause, don't go changing two things at the same time as you won't know what the cause was!

Check the glow plugs & relay first.




.

Tested the glow plugs today after it failed to start at all!!!
3 glow plugs weren't working!!!! Poor thing was trying to fire up on one plug
 Tested relay and that was fine - picked up some glow plugs from Euro (using blackfriday code   Fired up first turn of the key   
Cheers

[jj9]

Good to hear you've sorted it out   

[Top drive]

Had same issue here

3 plugs were damp. And would heat up but not glow with 12v . O ly 1 was dey and glowing right.

Picked up glow plugs today fitted em and it starts with hardly a turn over now.