Can Not Start Diesel Engine
Posted in Ignition Systems | Asked on Aug 14, 2010
Hi i have a ford escort diesel been having trouble starting it so got gararge to put
new set of glow plugs in but still have same prob run down battery trying to start it
when it is running and warmed up its ok runs well starts ok pulls well no probs
just seems to be when left over night it will not start
hope some one can help thank you alex
battery seems ok till i run it down turns over fast when i do manage to start it the way i have to do it is keep turning over and keep foot down on throtle some times works but not now
yes wait till glow plug light goes out then maybe another 15 seconds
There are 7 Answers
first if it wont start when u turn the key on then it could be your starter or it could be your alternator not charging your battery
Year & Mileage? How Old is the Battery? {If 3 to 4 1/2 Years Old or “Distended (Internally Shorted) on the Sides”} Have the Battery Load Tested at 50% of CCA [Cold Cranking Amps] for 15 Seconds, not Dropping Below 9.6 Volts during the test {This shows if the Battery can Take & Hold a Charge} Below 9.6V Replace Battery. Also sounds like you could have a Bad Alternator, Have it “Load Tested” to see if it puts out the Listed Amperage, Low Amps means Bad Diode(s) that will drain your Battery. Do you wait till the Glow Plug light goes out before your start the Engine?
go to service center
Don’t wait after the glow plug light goes out. The plugs only cool off during that time. You may also have to give the glow plugs a double shot – when the light goes out, switch off for an instant and right back on. Crank when the light goes off again. My Ford work truck sometimes requires a triple shot to the glow plugs on really cold mornings.
If battery checks out as above. A 1/2 second burst of Ether(starting fluid) may do the trick. NO throttle when using ether, it is a dry start(engine starts on ether, not diesel)ei, no lubrication until diesel catches.If you are up in the frozen tundra, you may want to install a block heater, or use a heated dip stick. These will help with starting as well.
It sounds like a fuel problem, start by checking or replacing the fuel filter, crank the engine over, crack the line loose, see if you have fuel getting there. Sometimes there is a schrader type valve near the filter, looks like a tire valve stem, just push in the needle to bleed the system , or check to see if you are getting fuel. If you give the engine a quick shot of starting fluid, and it fires right up, then dies, it is definately fuel related, possibly the pickup pump in the tank, or the injector pump, just keep following the fuel from the tank to the injectors, see where it stops. If it isn’t fuel related, check the glow plug relay, make sure it is working. A diesel is a very simple engine, give it fuel, it usually runs forever
Alex,
Invest in a new battery…..It sounds like you battery is just weak and takes all the voltage to run the starter….Only gets worse never gets better…..Get a new battery!!!!!