Escort Diesel won't start

[CORNIO]

Escort 1.8 LX Diesel. K reg.
Wouldn't start this morning. Was fine last night although has been difficult in the mornings for the last couple of weeks. Checked the glow plugs visually but do not seem too bad. What else is worth checking?

 

[chambsesf]

What are the sympoms?

Is the engine turning over properly, thus eliminating battery/starter issues?
Could it be a fuel problem i.e. blockage or needing the diesel bleeding through? Is there diesel in the tank?
Is the glow plug light coming on and going out after a few seconds?
Have you tried squirting in some eazystart? Works a treat on tractors with less than efficient glowplugs.
Immobiliser?
Have you done anything to the engine recently?

 

[shaggy]

The power to the glow plugs goes from the relay through a fuse in the auxiliary fusebox mounted on the front of the battery. I think the fuse is the one on the left looking from the front and is sometimes difficult to remove. The dash light comes on even if this fuse has blown. If the air temp is not too cold the engine will start without glow plugs, although more cranking is needed, but gets more difficult as it gets colder.

 

[noflame]

You need new glowplugs !!
You can't tell by looking at them if they work or not, but by the time they are out for testing, you may as well put a new set in.
Do not use easystart- it's the kiss of death and strips the oil from your bores. In the long run will end up costing you a lot more than a new set of glows.

 

[shaggy]

You may be right noflame but wouldn't you check the fuse hadn't blown first?

 

[chambsesf]

Nah - just whack the eazystart in.

 

[david and julie]

The easiest way is to put a meter on the power supply lead to the heaters, point the meter towards the windscreen (so you can see it)and it should register when the orange light is on. If it does the glow plugs are probably naff, if not check as shaggy said.

I agree with noflame on easy-start and would avoid it unless you are stuck.

 

[chambsesf]

Do not use easystart- it's the kiss of death and strips the oil from your bores. In the long run will end up costing you a lot more than a new set of glows.

As a one off, and as a means of testing whether the engine will actually fire up??

 

[noflame]

You may be right noflame but wouldn't you check the fuse hadn't blown first?

If it had suddenly refused to start, then yes, but look at the posting-has been difficult for a couple of weeks and then won't start at all. This says glowplugs to me!!

This is the time of year when this shows up- most diesels will start through the summer with only 2 or 3 working properly, but the onset of cold weather prevents it, and a plug which is a bit weak won't now be able to cope. Once started, it will be fine starting all day as there will always be residual heat in the head/block.

 

[shaggy]

We agree it's most likely glow plugs, but I was making the point that an Escort will start with no glowplugs working as long as it's not too cold. I've got one myself. You're advising replacing the glow plugs without checking the fuse or as d&j suggested. If there is power then surely that is the time to replace the glowplugs?

 

[CORNIO]

Tested the glow plugs on the battery and they seemed fine. Tried towing it to garage and I stuck it in gear along the way and after 1/2 a mile it fired up and worked fine all day. Then same thing happened again, wouldn't start. Could it be a fuel blockage?

 

[david and julie]

Testing the glow plugs across the battery is not the same thing, if you do it as I said you are checking any fuses,wiring,relays etc. You need to be sure the plugs have power when they are fitted in their working position.If you don't have a meter use a bulb with 2 pieces of wire taped on it and do the plugs individually.

Glow plugs are not easy to clean and old ones never work as well as new.

Cold diesels are much harder to start than warm. Batteries and starters need to be 100% good. Any laziness in these area's will definately show up in poor starting. Make sure all connections are good and clean.

If all else fails and and it still won't start ask the garage about a compression test. Half a mile is a long way to have to tow it.

 

[planenut]

Go on, slap some new plugs in; it's your money, and I want to see who is right!

 

[david and julie]

We all agree it is probably the glow plugs that are tired.

The point both me and shaggy are making is even new glow plugs won't work if there's no power to them.

The weather isn't all that cold yet.

 

[shaggy]

That's right, there is no argument. It's no different to any electrical appliance; if something didn't work you would check the power-supply/fuse first before replacing it.