[Engine] 1.9d starting problems

[BERLINGO_CHRIS]

Car has been starting fine but yesterday morning it took some 3 or 4 attempts at cranking over to start. And this morning the same thing happened - started eventually both mornings.

I suspect it's the heater plugs and that one or more have gone. I'm going to use a whiff of Bradex cold start tomorrow morning and if this works I think this will confirm it, however, does anyone have any other ideas from experience?

Please Note - the idle speed is too high on tickover (was on my things to of list) could this contribute as the fuelling at starting could be wrong i.e. maybe too lean/ not enough diesel? 
But, there's no change at all in this position and it's just started having this problem so I think this might be a side issue??

Thanks in advance

[oilyrag]

Hi,
If you pre-heat the plugs by switching the engine on, wait until lights out, switch off & repeat a couple of times and the engine then starts readily then it's most likely the heaters. If it mis-fires for a while after doing this, then one or more are very duff . Probably not related to idle speed.

[geoff]

Has it been colder on the difficult starting days ?

[BERLINGO_CHRIS]

Hi,
If you pre-heat the plugs by switching the engine on, wait until lights out, switch off & repeat a couple of times and the engine then starts readily then it's most likely the heaters. If it mis-fires for a while after doing this, then one or more are very duff . Probably not related to idle speed.

Thanks oilyrag - Yes, this is what I've done but after each 'go' I've cranked the engine over a few seconds as well!
One day last week (or week before?) it didn't start as easily as it usually does (still started on the one 'go' though) and put out a whiff of black smoke from the exhaust - I think one heater was on it's way out and has now fully packed-in.

[BERLINGO_CHRIS]

Has it been colder on the difficult starting days ?

Probably has been a bit colder yes Geoff, as oilyrag has said think it's a plug issue - I'll use the ether tomorrow and post what happens.
If it starts easy that way then I'll put new heaters in and report back
Thanks

[BERLINGO_CHRIS]

Has it been colder on the difficult starting days ?

Probably has been a bit colder yes Geoff, as oilyrag has said think it's a plug issue - I'll use the ether tomorrow and post what happens.
If it starts easy that way then I'll put new heaters in and report back
Thanks

[BERLINGO_CHRIS]

Has it been colder on the difficult starting days ?

Probably has been a bit colder yes Geoff, as oilyrag has said think it's a plug issue - I'll use the ether tomorrow and post what happens.
If it starts easy that way then I'll put new heaters in and report back
Thanks

[polar]

replace the glow plugs with a good brand like Beru or you will still have problems. Also be careful of internet copies.

Your high idle speed is most likely the waxstat or associated pipework.

[BERLINGO_CHRIS]

Thanks Polar et al.
Bosch plugs fitted today (approx. £12 each) - Two of the old ones were duff, ends had carbon build up so been off for a while I think?
Could have been a combination of colder weather and one of the others breaking down internally? Or, maybe the few degrees drop in temp was the tipping point.
Anyway fingers crossed all will be well now - it does start easier now and I'm confident tomorrow morning's starting will be fine.
NB - yes Polar it's the wax stat I've been advised - next job....

[oilyrag]

Good news Chris,
Battery condition drops in colder weather, glow plugs start off at lower temp, diesel a bit thicker, so all conspire to make starting harder. Good luck with the next job ...you're on a roll!