Cold Start on 2.5 uk CRD

tangov8 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:06 pm **Posts:** 45

Hi Everyone
I was wondering if the CRD has a cold start module/sensor fitted. My car starts first time, but now the outside temperature has dropped it struggles to pull away after being stood overnight,it did exactly the same last year but I thought it had gone away untill this week when the temperature has again dropped. It's still fine on warmer mornings which makes me think somethings amiss! Any ideas?

Dave
2002 2.5 CRD LTD Derbyshire, UK

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 3:13 pm

Check Sir Sams NOOB guide for a link to the factory service manuals which includes one for the 2002 and on the export diesel engine which might help. If I got the right location for weather it looks like you are on the cool side of things with night time temperatures near or somewhat above freezing. I'm not totally sure I understand your symptoms but I think what you are saying is the engine starts up just fine which suggests your glow plugs are ok (the little squiggly light on the upper middle left side of the instrument panel comes on briefly). What I don't know is if you have a fuel heater (on the US 2005-06 it's part of the fuel filter head assembly) or an engine block heater (on the US 2005-06 it's a plug into household power cord typically factory tied to the oil dipstick) both of which help with cold starts but neither are needed at your current temperatures. If your engine starts and idles fine but you are having problems driving off from a cold start then we need more information to get an idea of what type of problem you are having for example: 1) is this an automatic or manual shift; 2) does the engine "stumble" (e.g. lose power or seem like it wants to stall) when you engage the transmission; 3) does the problem go away as engine rpm comes up; 3) on an automatic is your ATF fluid level correct and are you using the proper fluid; 4) if a manual transmission is your fluid level correct and are you using the proper weight fluid; 5) on a manual is your clutch slipping and what's the clutch master cylinder fluid level; 6) has the drive train (transmission and various gear boxes) fluid levels been serviced recently or are they overdue; 7) is the fuel filter clean;

does the problem go away after the engine warms up; 9) after you have driven are 1 or more of the wheels hot indicating dragging brakes; 10) is the air filter clean.

I'd go on but you get the idea.

tangov8 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:06 pm **Posts:** 45

papaindigo wrote:

Check Sir Sams NOOB guide for a link to the factory service manuals which includes one for the 2002 and on the export diesel engine which might help. If I got the right location for weather it looks like you are on the cool side of things with night time temperatures near or somewhat above freezing. I'm not totally sure I understand your symptoms but I think what you are saying is the engine starts up just fine which suggests your glow plugs are ok (the little squiggly light on the upper middle left side of the instrument panel comes on briefly). What I don't know is if you have a fuel heater (on the US 2005-06 it's part of the fuel filter head assembly) or an engine block heater (on the US 2005-06 it's a plug into household power cord typically factory tied to the oil dipstick) both of which help with cold starts but neither are needed at your current temperatures. If your engine starts and idles fine but you are having problems driving off from a cold start then we need more information to get an idea of what type of problem you are having for example: 1) is this an automatic or manual shift; 2) does the engine "stumble" (e.g. lose power or seem like it wants to stall) when you engage the transmission; 3) does the problem go away as engine rpm comes up; 3) on an automatic is your ATF fluid level correct and are you using the proper fluid; 4) if a manual transmission is your fluid level correct and are you using the proper weight fluid; 5) on a manual is your clutch slipping and what's the clutch master cylinder fluid level; 6) has the drive train (transmission and various gear boxes) fluid levels been serviced recently or are they overdue; 7) is the fuel filter clean;

does the problem go away after the engine warms up; 9) after you have driven are 1 or more of the wheels hot indicating dragging brakes; 10) is the air filter clean.

I'd go on but you get the idea.

Thanks for you answer, it's a 5 speed manual,has fuel filter heater,clutch not slipping,it just seems to be the cold air or fuel pressure that's the problem,it's ok if I rev it up to 1500 rpm,drop the revs & set off like normal, this is the same car that cuts out dead at 3250 rpm by the way. Think we are just going to get rid of it,when it runs well it's great,but seems to have a very annoying gremlin! still doing 27.4mpg round town,just think it will have to go before it drives us mad or bankrupt! thanks anyway

Dave :banghead:

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:43 am

Have you considered adding an inline fuel lift pump?

Pippobug · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:43 am

Dave,
have tried taking it to a VM specialist? Worth a try before selling it if you like it so much.
I have found what looks to be the main VM Motori UK distributor ( http://www.jnlengineering.co.uk/ServiceCentres.aspx ) and this is the address for the Mancester depot, I assume the closest to you in Darbyshire:

Manchester
Name : S R Engineering
Address :
102 Higher Green Lane
Astley Tyldesley
Manchester
Postcode :
M29 7HZ
Tel : +44 (0) 7708 416440
Tel 2 : +44 (0) 7702 264815
E-Mail : sr-engineering@o2.

Fil.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 12:38 pm

Try a new fuel filter head.

tangov8 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:06 pm **Posts:** 45

Pippobug wrote:

Dave,
have tried taking it to a VM specialist? Worth a try before selling it if you like it so much.
I have found what looks to be the main VM Motori UK distributor ( http://www.jnlengineering.co.uk/ServiceCentres.aspx ) and this is the address for the Mancester depot, I assume the closest to you in Darbyshire:

Manchester
Name : S R Engineering
Address :
102 Higher Green Lane
Astley Tyldesley
Manchester
Postcode :
M29 7HZ
Tel : +44 (0) 7708 416440
Tel 2 : +44 (0) 7702 264815
E-Mail : sr-engineering@o2.

Fil.

Thanks for that, I may give it a try

tangov8 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:06 pm **Posts:** 45

tonycrd wrote:

Try a new fuel filter head.

I've tried it with the filter head bridged out by just conecting the pipes together with a brass fitting & it ran just the same,its a quick test,but as I have cleaned the fuel tank out it could have been a great simple mod! change it straight back after test run.

tangov8 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:06 pm **Posts:** 45

papaindigo wrote:

Have you considered adding an inline fuel lift pump?

I may just give that a go,dont think it would take much time to rig something up to start with just to test it,I have thought it strange that they dont have one anyway

Dave

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:48 pm

Diesel engines as a rule are sluggish when it's cold and they are not up to temperature. You didn't mention what temperatures your seeing overnight but there's another thread where the poster and myself have slow starting on our 05/06 CRD's when the temperature gets to around 50f and that is not really cold. A lift pump might help but I think you would see other symptoms too if you really needed one.

Joe

Cold Start on 2.5 uk CRD

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