New Owner - A Few Questions

[zendog]

Got my C5 2.0 HDI a few months ago, it is a 2002 model with 110k on the clock, so far so good but recently after a cold night I have a real problem starting it. I live in the South of England so we are not even talking really cold.

 

The battery is only just over a year old and keeps turning it over it just wont fire, this morning had to use some "cold start" spray. As I understand it the glow plugs aren't used until -5 which it definitely wasn't so I am not sure what the problem is.

 

My other problem is that since I have had the car the radio picks up all FM stations with no problem but I just can't get any medium wave channels tuned in - anyone any ideas I am guessing it can't be the arial if I can get FM

 

Any help ideas would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

ZD

[Johndouglas]

Might be your fuel lift pump in the tank isn't working.

[cardsharc]

Got my C5 2.0 HDI a few months ago, it is a 2002 model with 110k on the clock, so far so good but recently after a cold night I have a real problem starting it. I live in the South of England so we are not even talking really cold.

 

The battery is only just over a year old and keeps turning it over it just wont fire, this morning had to use some "cold start" spray. As I understand it the glow plugs aren't used until -5 which it definitely wasn't so I am not sure what the problem is.

 

My other problem is that since I have had the car the radio picks up all FM stations with no problem but I just can't get any medium wave channels tuned in - anyone any ideas I am guessing it can't be the arial if I can get FM

 

Any help ideas would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

GLOW PLUGS ALWAYS WARM DIESEL BEFORE STARTING SOUNDS LIKE YOU GOT 1 OR 2 DOWN (NOT WORKING)

ZD

[Guest Dan Slatford]

I'm pretty sure the plugs on these HDi's don't come on until well into negative-celsius... I've read that in numerous places, and indeed I don't recall the glowplug lamp every lighting on mine.

 

And it starts as good as instantly in any weather.

 

They always glow on indirect-injection diesels, but not on HDi's I believe.

 

Zendog, I'd be looking at the pump in the fuel tank, or air leaking into the fuel line - possibly at the fuel filter, or look for any tell-tale signs of diesel seeping from anywhere in the fuel path.

[Johndouglas]

As Dan says, you can rule out the glowplugs. On HDi's, because the injection pressure is so high, no pre-heating is required when starting the engine at temperatures above 0 degrees C. My bet is on fuel - and start with the lift pump.