berligo cold start

[magnumforce]

I have a 2000 1.9D non turbo berlingo which normally starts first turn when hot or freezing cold but today it was very cold and it would fire up but not run and took several attempts before it started ant ideas?

[polar]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

In order of items to try:

Glow plugs - remove them and test on a battery will give you definite answer.

Fuel filter - replace.

Battery - must be 13v cold

Start with this then work from there.

[ffrenchie]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Battery - must be 13v cold.

It will be more like 12.6v if it is charged, I've never known one hold 13v for any length of time after the alternator stops. How long does the glow plug light stay on and have you waited for it to go out before starting ? Sometimes cycling the heater plug sequence twice helps the older engines to run smoother on starting.

[magnumforce]

glow plugs ok battery ok,engine fires wont doesnt run needs several goes before runs

[geoff]

Sounds like valve clearances closed up - search forum for info plenty here on that.

Obviously do the other checks first as thye are quick and free, valves are a big job

[Johny555]

Fuel filter OK,?

[dumdum]

Replace leak off pipes as a matter of course if you get issues like this, they crack and perish and let air in and the fuel drain back to the tank and cause starting issues

Fuel filter could be the issue if the seals gone or it’s not been changed since new

Glow pugs you can test in situ by whipping the leads off and measuring resistance initially to earth from the end, when cold they are roughly 1 ohm, any huge variance ie 3 at 1ohm and one at 3ohms means you’d put a set in as if ones gone chances are the other three will be on last legs and once you’ve whipped the inlet off you’ll see why you’d do em anyway