Vauxhall Frontera 2.3 diesel L reg starting problem

[hmmmm]

Hi all,

I have a starting problem with my Diesel Frontera.

The longer it is left the more difficult it is to start?

Problem got worse after the fuel pump and injectors were overhauled, I am
assured that the heater coils are working OK..

It's with the Bosch agent at the moment and they are re-checking the
injectors and the fuel pump.

In the morning it will only start if I bump it.

Anyone had any similar problems?

Ron

[Geoff]

"hmmmm" spake thus unto uk.rec.cars.4x4

->The longer it is left the more difficult it is to start?

Sounds like the glow plugs.

->Problem got worse after the fuel pump and injectors were overhauled, I am
->assured that the heater coils are working OK..

If this was done by the vauxhall dealer then it's safe to say they probably
buggered it up !
--
Geoff
Anorak off road club web site.
http://www.anoraks.org/

[hmmmm]

Thanks for the reply,

Both the coil circuit and the coil heaters have been checked by Vauxhall and
they 'SAY' are working correctly. Is there any overcheck I could do myself
to verify coils are heating?

Would coil problem give me a time dependant starting problem?

Ron

<Geoff> wrote in message
news:982238172.13035.0...@news.demon.co.uk...

[Steve Hunt]

> In the morning it will only start if I bump it.

The fact that bump starting helps is weird.

Can you describe the symptoms? The only things that bump
starting should help with is battery or starter motor problems.
But presumably it cranks OK otherwise the fault would be
obvious. Odd. Some sort of blockage/air lock that
bump starting the car physically dislodges?

Or maybe the battery is weak enough that it can crank the
engine over, but can't do that AND work the fuel pump & injection
at the same time. Never heard of that though.

Fuel system problems just are not helped by bump starting.

-- Steve

[hmmmm]

We are wondering if there is a one way valve in the fuel system that might
be causing the problem?

I can't think of any other symptoms to describe more than we have already
put on previous post's!

When I do bump it only takes a few seconds for the engine to fire up. Could
it be the motion that is triggering something to work?

Ron
"Steve Hunt" <s...@clara.co.uk> wrote in message
news:U0Qi6.25558$eZ2.2...@nnrp3.clara.net...

[Geoff]

"hmmmm" spake thus unto uk.rec.cars.4x4

->Thanks for the reply,
->
->Both the coil circuit and the coil heaters have been checked by Vauxhall
and
->they 'SAY' are working correctly. Is there any overcheck I could do myself
->to verify coils are heating?

I'm not familiar with your engine but you should find the glow plugs are
connect via a common rail thats insulated from the rest of the engine, you
should have 12v on this when your dash light is indicating the plug's are on
(this will not prove the plugs themselves are working)

->Would coil problem give me a time dependant starting problem?

Yes if your problems are from cold start. The only other thing that generaly
will cause a dwiezel not to start is a lack of fuel, so check the filter, see
if it needs priming and see if the pump is working.
---

[Simon H]

Ron,

I have a K reg Vauxhall Carlton that has the same 2.3TD lump as your
Frontera. It has similar problems to those you describe. Cold mornings are a
nightmare just lately. I had the fault (seems like poor cranking power)
diagnosed by a trustworthy Bosch agent as a duff alternator not giving
enough output to keep the lights, heater, etc going and hence draining the
battery. A remanufactured alternator made things better but not as good as
it should. A new battery helped too but the problem is still there.
I have wondered if there is some kind of voltage regulator in the harness
somewhere because if I charge the battery (on or off the car) I get superb
cranking and almost instantaneous starting. A couple of days later and the
battery (cold cranking) power is noticeably weaker.
When it's in this mood I have got into the habit of 'bump' starting if I'm
parked on a hill and it starts at very low speed as soon as I drop the
clutch.
Perhaps between us we can figure it out!

Simon H

"hmmmm" <xx...@axxx.com> wrote in message
news:98223519...@ananke.eclipse.net.uk...

[hmmmm]

Compression down on one cylinder.. the heads coming off for investigation.
Ron
"Simon H" <shy...@shytot.screamingXX.net> wrote in message
news:96hh76$5o2$1...@taliesin.netcom.net.uk...

[Steve Hunt]

> Compression down on one cylinder.. the heads coming off for investigation.

Beware. If bump starting helps, then compression is not likely
to be the cause of your starting problem.

-- Steve

[hmmmm]

garage just replied and found that the timing belt is 2 teeth out? how much
would this throw the timing out by?

Ron
"Steve Hunt" <s...@clara.co.uk> wrote in message

news:Zw8k6.14995$LE3.1...@nnrp4.clara.net...

[hmmmm]

Thanks for your help Steve, Garage has altered timing and now frontera
starts OK....and runs alot better.
I am trying it for a few days before paying any bills.....

"Steve Hunt" <s...@clara.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Zw8k6.14995$LE3.1...@nnrp4.clara.net...