Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: johnrobert on February 05, 2007, 07:05:50 PM

Title: Starting problem
Post by: johnrobert on February 05, 2007, 07:05:50 PM

Please help.My 1997 xj turbo diesel does not like starting when cold.It   runs for about 2 secs then dies.After about 7 attempts it will start and there will be a cloud of white smoke.It works well when warm.Thanks John.

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Post by: trent on February 05, 2007, 07:33:45 PM

Have you tested/checked the glow plugs?

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Post by: johnrobert on February 05, 2007, 07:36:25 PM

What is the best way to check glow plugs.Thanks john

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Post by: MK1 on February 05, 2007, 08:07:24 PM

Subject to access, the simplest way is to remove them and test them from the battery. Having just one down will make it difficult to start.

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Post by: Mike Pavelin on February 05, 2007, 08:13:44 PM

Also check the spill pipes are a tight leak free fit on the injectors including the blanking plug on no.4. If not they cause air leaks and difficult starting.

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Post by: MK1 on February 05, 2007, 08:18:42 PM

Mike, do you have a specific in situ tester or would you also take them out?

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Post by: Mike Pavelin on February 06, 2007, 06:23:30 AM

You could test the glow plugs in situ. Disconnect the wires, between the centre pin and ground you should get about 1/2 ohm. If one resistance is very high compared with the others, it's duff.

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Post by: johnrobert on February 08, 2007, 08:32:37 PM

Took it to dealer.NO1 injector failed.£288 + vat .plus labour, Total £550.

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Post by: MK1 on February 08, 2007, 08:55:35 PM

OUCH.

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Post by: Dave69 on February 08, 2007, 09:30:55 PM

i assume you have the old injector? i gather it has the sensor wires attatched. there is a resistance on the sensor wires of around 10 ohms or 110ohms cant remember the exact value, if it's failed on this then it's not so bad but if it has failed due to being dirty and not allowing the fuel to atomise then it could be expensive as a diesel specialist will service them for around £35 each. i had mine done by a place near the richo stadium in cov when i had my diesel jeep. that was hard to start but no real white smoke.

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Post by: johnrobert on February 10, 2007, 10:17:32 AM

Still dont start in the mornings.

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Post by: Dave69 on February 10, 2007, 10:26:44 AM

you could replace the black pipes that link the injectors together. As Mike says above. If there is a poorly fitting one or it has slightly perished this will allow the diesel to run back into the pump so losing the "priming stage" and allowing air into the system which isn't good for a diesel. the tubes dont have to be the same just something of the same bore size. I have used clear tube before with no problems. Not saying this will cure the problem but it's an area that can cause a problem with starting.

The glow plugs are individual since they each have a single wire connection so if one fails it doesnt put extra load on the rest like what hapens on a common bus bar set up on conventional diesel engines. use the check as previously described.
 the other thing is go back to the dealer and kick up a stink on the failed diagnosis and the cost

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Post by: johnrobert on February 11, 2007, 11:16:33 AM

Just been told by the AA that NO 4 glow plug not working.He could not get one today.Would this one plug cause all my problems?

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Post by: Dave69 on February 11, 2007, 06:24:29 PM

firing order 1-4-3-2 it could cause hard starting as but i would have thought it would have caught and started to run

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Post by: Bubba on February 11, 2007, 06:48:47 PM

you need to speak to the dealers and coplain i dont feel they did you any favours

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Post by: MK1 on February 11, 2007, 07:10:16 PM

Yep, I've had them where just one glow plug out can balls it up.

They either wind over for ages building up compression, start and smoke or refuse to start at all.

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Post by: johnrobert on February 16, 2007, 01:04:10 PM

What i have noticed while on holiday is ,If the jeep is facing down hill over night she startes first time.If facing up hill overnight the same old problem.Thanks john.

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Post by: Mike Pavelin on February 16, 2007, 01:39:45 PM

Spill pipes then. When it's facing uphill the air leak is allowing the system to drain back into the tank. If you prime it first with the pump and bleed screw on top of the filter housing it'll start first time. Try it.

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Post by: Dave69 on February 16, 2007, 01:58:50 PM

the daft thing is this costs about £2 to fix and ten mins

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Post by: johnrobert on February 16, 2007, 06:47:09 PM

I do not have a bleed pump to bleed it with .Thanks john

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Post by: Dave69 on February 16, 2007, 08:35:43 PM

ontop of the fuel filter is a round knurled black disc. unscrew this and it is the primer, just pull it up and push it down quite a few times until you get a firm resistance this will then show the system fully primed. if you do it too much pushing the plunger down and turning it untill it screws into place can be a problem

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Post by: johnrobert on February 16, 2007, 09:06:04 PM

Thank you.Will let you know how i get on.John

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Post by: johnrobert on February 17, 2007, 01:08:02 PM

Put all new spill pipes on.Changed faulty glow plug.Tried priming system for about 5 mins could not get plunger to show any signs of resistance.Will try starting jeep in the morning.Thanks John

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Post by: Mike Pavelin on February 17, 2007, 05:33:59 PM

Did you slacken the bleed screw next to the plunger?

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Post by: johnrobert on February 17, 2007, 05:35:43 PM

Yes.

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Post by: Dave69 on February 17, 2007, 05:40:10 PM

dont get too disheartened just yet, when i primed mine it seemed like i was pumping forever before the plunger started to show signs of resistance

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Post by: johnrobert on February 18, 2007, 08:40:58 AM

IT WORKS.Thank you all for your help.John