cold starting problem?

Max, if it was the head gasket leaking causing the loss in pressure needed to start . would it not lose coolant relatively quickly once it had started by being drawn in to the combustion chamber and out of the exhaust? My 02 plate 2.8 daily has the same starting problem, it winds over fine but wont fire for a few minutes , Im sure its not a fuel problem as there is white smoke coming from the exhaust when i'm winding it over, which i am assuming is unburnt diesel, i dont think its the head gasket either as once it has started its fine for the rest of the day with no loss of power or coolant
and no unusual noise coming from the head area, as im winding the injector light flashes also . my brake warning light has been on since i bought the van 3 years ago even after having the brake system completely overhauled. any help would be appreciated oh and before anyone suggests glowplugs it does not have them it has a cold start valve or relay thing that doesn't even start operating untill -10 or so . thanks in anticipation .

Adam
July 2009

hi mate,ill do my best to help you in your moment of need lol!....anyways,from what your describing i would say your van has what is known as a common rail injection system and frrom the symptoms you have i suggest you check the operation of the primary fuel pump (trust me on this one, these pumps are as common to failure as wot a bear is to dumping in the woods ok!)....this pump can be easily diagnosed ... pull off the fuel pipe under the bonnet which runs from the fuel filter to the fuel tank and crank the van over....if you get no fuel "hey presto" ....primary fuel pump fault which will be situated either in the fuel line running to the tank or even inside the tank itself ok.....pheeeew me little didgets are worn out now!!!...hope this is of sum use

paul
April 2009

£1200 is a lot,so I doubt you'll baulk at spending £60 or so.Go to your local motor factors that sell "seally' tools and buy a BLOCK TESTER kit,it's a liquid reactive dye test that you place over the coolant hole when the engines hot.If there's any hydrocarbons in the coolant the liquid turns from blue to green/yellow.There is a good chance that you have coolant in the combustion chamber,head gasket or crack.this'll fit all your symptoms,by the by Iv'e done half a dozen of these with simmilar,all head gaskets..as I said,after what you've spent what's a little more to rule it out.Lemme put it this way,how can charging a battery "cure" a high pressure fault for a day?

max
April 2009