Cold weather starting issue and others...

[Wolfracer]

Went to start it yesterday, and it was like it had flooded, would fire and then nothing... eventually not even a fire. Plenty of turning over, just no firing....tried pumping the fuel pump by hand untill the sprung pump was really hard to press, and eventually it started.
I'm assumung some sort of clogged fuel line/filter/gelled fuel. I had been using Veg in the summer, but stopped in september. Nevetr had an issue with it before or after this event. It normally starts first time, every time. The only thing I did different was cycle the Glow plugs 3 times before starting as it was fecking cold - could this adversely affect starting????

Also boot lock keeps freezing up and won't turn. any tips?

[stormforce]

When was the fuel filter last changed?
If the primer has to be pumped to get hard then i would say the primer is knackered as it's normally hard to pump all the time

[BUSHWHACKER]

Re-new the fuel filter, it's probably got a coating of congealed fat around it.

[Wolfracer]

Brill! Thanks guys...will be off to motor factors tomorrow.... I'm assuming the filter is just an in line jobby???

[stormforce]

its on the n/s of the bulkhead.If you ring roughtrax before 3pm then they should be able to get one out the same day and delivered Friday for you.

[Wolfracer]

again, thanks...

[BUSHWHACKER]

Brill! Thanks guys...will be off to motor factors tomorrow.... I'm assuming the filter is just an in line jobby???

The filter is under that part you were pumping.

[Wolfracer]

The filter is under that part you were pumping.

Ah yes! Pretty obvious when you know what you're looking at!

R'Trax sent one the next day.

Had the starting issue again, it seems to happen when I don't start it for more than 24 hours. I assume its a gelling up issue.

So, got around to fitting the new filter today.

The 2 wires underneath wouldn't unscrew "in situ" so I disconnected it from the loom at the plug 30 cm away. Well, when i say disconnect, it was just pushed together the wrong way, so wasn't even connect. Its too bunged up with $hit to put back together....What does this lead do? Seems to run okay without it connected. Is it a fuel warning sender?

Anyway, got the engine nice and warm, so it would fire up easily, then undid the filter, poured the diesel into a clean container and used this to "prime" the new filter.
One thing I noticed was the "empty" old filter was considerably heavier than the new one. I assume this to be all the cr@p its collected?
The"sender" did undo using a rag for assistance in grip, and all went back together in about 30 seconds. Job done.
Started the engine. It ran for 30 seconds then died. Air lock I assume, so hand pumped and cranked. repeated 3 times (started to feel a bit like CPR!) and then it started, and running very nicely. Doesn't seem to be as lumpy at idle either but will have to see what its like from cold.

Hopefully this has done the trick . Either way, its a 10 minute job to do, and an easy one for the less mechanically minded.
Thx for the advice guys.

[Wolfracer]

Well, after 36 hours stood, the same problem this morning, just no fuel getting through. Temp on other car said minus 7, is this cold enough to freeze deisel? After a lot of pumping and turning over and some jumping power from another car, it started. Suppose i'll just have to start it every day and get it up to temp, unless anyone has any better suggestions?

[sabreuk]

Check the primer for airleaks the plunger is crap I changed mine for a pug diesel monkey b ollok and silicones the plunger up. If it's not that check glow plugs are working with a volt meter. If there ok it's 2 things glow plug relay on the passenger side wing should state on the relay or the glow plug solenoid which has 2 chunky wires coming off of it next to the relay mine didn't like the cold had same prob changed the solenoid and fired first time.