Author Topic: hard starting 1.6 TD (Read 5562 times)

J-mo · « **on:** September 29, 2005, 04:18:01 am »

in the past couple weeks my rabbit's been really hard starting, seems like it isnt getting fuel at first and then sputters in one cylinder at a time as if it were run dry. Farts out a good cloud of smoke but clears up completely within 10 seconds at idle and goes away after a minute or two of driving. It's fine after the initial morning start and is much easier to get going the rest of the day (2-4 crank overs). I'm wondering if the fuel shutoff solenoid is not shutting completely and the pump is losing its prime overnight? any comments or advice would be appreciated..
-James

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2005, 05:26:06 am »

you sure you didnt just blow a glowplug? or, its been blown all summer but the recent colder whether has made it apparent? if it smooths out as soon as it warms up i'd test the glow plugs first just to make sure they are working properly.

J-mo · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2005, 03:04:02 pm »

glow plugs were all replaced less than a year ago, already tested them, they all get warm and the relay is working properly. I know what the engine does when the glow plugs are shot, this is a different kind of hard starting symptom. it almost seems to turn over slower than usual too.. but again, after the first one of the day it's back to normal.

hoodie · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2005, 10:36:06 am »

Maybe someone with more experience could chime in but this time of year the temperature is getting lower, Especially in the morning. Thing is the glow plugs don't come into play unless the temp is 4C or lower.
Injection timing plays a VERY significant role here becuase injection must occur at point of maximum compression to use the heat of the compressed air in the cylinder. If injection takes place after this point then you will have an engine that is very hard to start.

J-mo · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2005, 10:17:37 pm »

I actually did manage to figure out what the issue was. Seems that the ring terminals to the alternator had corroded and was impeding the current flow, but not enough to trip the electrical warning light until the other week. I redid some wiring and it starts first tick over now. I didn't think a bad connection to the alternator would get in the way of the glow plugs, but i guess it does!