DW8 engine hard to start only when cold

[baxter2012]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum but really hoping someone can point me in the right direction.
I own a 2003 Berlingo with the 1.9 DW8 engine. My problem is the initial starting in the morning but only cold mornings, warm summer mornings no problems turns and fires up first time, cold mornings will take up to two minutes of turning over (allowing the plugs to heat several times) once started and warmed up problem will not reappear until the next morning, also once started very smokey. So far I have upgraded the battery from a 490 cold cranking battery to a 600 cold crank. Changed the fuel filter housing (suspected fuel running back at the primer)actual filter and seal, checked the voltage to the the glow plugs and starter motor, both ok removed and tested the glow plugs across a 12v battery, burning bright!! Checked for power going to and from the glow plug relay, removed the earth strap on the gearbox and checked for corrosion, cleaned up and put back on. :brickwall: I really am lost can anyone please help !!!!![/font]

[3rensho]

Sounds like your checking was pretty thorough. What fuel are you using?? Name brand? Ultra cheap?

[cbeck113]

Hi baxter, I have the same problem, but not with my Berlingo (1.6HDi): my Opel (yeah, Vauxhall) Corsa with the 1.3 CDTi. The problem starts at about 5-6°C, which is the temperature at which the cold start procedure should be used from the ECU. Because of this, I've been thinking (but I haven't tested anything yet) that it may be a sensor issue. And since I don't have the equipment necessary to do so, maybe someone here has the specs (I/O ECU) for the cold start procedure. Then we could check which sensors are used and make teh search a bit easier.

Servus, Charlie

[crickleymal]

Could be the cold start mechanism. Mine isn't working and has been set at fast idle, the one I got from a scrapyard was also non operative. Someone on here has also suggested valve clearances I believe, but I'm not enough of a mechanic to know whether that would apply in this case.

[baxter2012]

Hi all, thanks for the replys.
3 rensho I'm using branded fuel, not always the same brand but always steer away from the cheap stuff.
Cbeck113 vauxhall?? Seriously???? :-) I'm starting to think along the same lines as you've suggested, something possibly to do with the cold start procedure.
Crickleymal I looked at the cold start mechanism and mine looks seized up too, also looks like it would snap if I went near it with a spanner :-) I read the post that talked about valve clearances, it's a possibility I maybe get a compression test done today it can do no harm. I read in one of your previous posts you had the cold stat off, was it difficult to do?
Thanks again all for your input so far.

[crickleymal]

Crickleymal I looked at the cold start mechanism and mine looks seized up too, also looks like it would snap if I went near it with a spanner :-) I read the post that talked about valve clearances, it's a possibility I maybe get a compression test done today it can do no harm. I read in one of your previous posts you had the cold stat off, was it difficult to do?

Not terribly difficult. I presume that it goes into the cooling circuit so you may have to top it up/bleed it. The plastic intake ducting accross the top of the engine needs to come off (2 allen screws) to get clear access then it's just a large spanner to take it out of the fuel filter housing. On the cable adjuster bit I had to hold the bracket with a mole wrench and undo the locknut with a 13mm AF spanner. The bracket would have bent in half if I hadn't held it with the mole wrench.