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diesel engine won't start


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neuronetv
New User

Jan 18, 2013, 8:24 AM

Post #1 of 9 (12203 views)
diesel engine won't start Sign In

I've got a peugeot diesel 206 tdi that won't start. The engine turns over really well with the ignition key but there's not the slightest hint of combustion.
I've repaired loads of petrol engines in my younger days but with diesel I'm lost, don't know where to start. It's worth mentioning that this happened in the freezing cold snowy weather. The the car did initially start and run for a few minutes and I let it idle while I was running in and out the house and loading it up with stuff but while I was inside it conked out. And after that - nothing. I do remember a stronger-than-usual exhaust smell before it conked out. Where does a diesel beginner start? what are the basic things to check first?
ps: the tank is full of diesel.


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
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Jan 18, 2013, 7:00 PM

Post #2 of 9 (12139 views)
Re: diesel engine won't start Sign In

did you have any anti gel additive in the fuel? WHat kind of temperature are we dealing with in your area? Did you have the block heater plugged in? When was the last time you changed fuel filters? Are you running pure #1 diesel, pure #2 diesel, a winter blend or is it on summer fuel?

I am a diesel mechanic in the US, but we do not have your vehicle here so I will tell you now I have never seen one in person and cannot pull technical data for it to look at. I can give you general ideas that apply universally to electronically controlled diesel engines but cannot get in-depth for your particular model.

Are you able to get this into a heated garage?


neuronetv
New User

Jan 19, 2013, 3:59 AM

Post #3 of 9 (12118 views)
Re: diesel engine won't start Sign In

thanks for your response. There was no additive in the fuel. I'm in the UK and it is cold here right now but it never gets too cold for diesel to work, and my neighbours have diesel cars and they have no problems. Nothing has changed on the car. The car has a full service every year and is normally reliable. I left the car overnight and tried it again in the morning and the engine spluttered briefly and then died again so I'm thinking it's fuel starvation. Problem is I don't know these peugeot diesel engines, everything's under black covers and I don't know where the fuel comes in.


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
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Jan 19, 2013, 10:08 AM

Post #4 of 9 (12100 views)
Re: diesel engine won't start Sign In

I don't do much diesel work but have worked on a few......I know if there is a problem with the glow plug system, that will give you a cold start problem.....

I know a quick check that would work on VWs would be to get a test light....hook the clip to battery positive, unhook each glow plug and touch it with the light probe.....If the light didn't light up.....the glow plug was bad....

Will the car ever start????


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 19, 2013, 12:57 PM

Post #5 of 9 (12091 views)
Re: diesel engine won't start Sign In

Same as Sidom. Not well versed in diesel. It was a very short part of vocational training now long ago too. " nickwarner " is pretty good at this stuff. Anything is going to take some testing when an engine doesn't start.

My knowledge of "diesel" anything is that it's an oil that doesn't like cold. Cold to an engine is burning hot still to the touch.

Just my notes on some weak diesel knowledge:
* Glow plugs working imperative
* No water in fuel allowed. Some that came my way had drains like some radiators use to drain water out of the fuel filter as a routine. Could never speak for all but some did do that.

@@ I do get the idea. It's heat of compression that allows them to run. So fuel, fuel pressure along with capable high compression is a must. Any compromise of those is going to be trouble.

@@@ They are a total pest if they run out of fuel! Out of fuel can be not enough in tank or a problem with what is in there or the pumping and delivery of it common to any internal combustion engine but more so with diesels.

Not much help but that's what I know about these critters. Gets cold here - as in really cold and all I know of are plugged in to warm engines unless in a heated garage.

Good luck. Here to help but not much from me on this as said, -- Tom



nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
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Jan 19, 2013, 3:04 PM

Post #6 of 9 (12083 views)
Re: diesel engine won't start Sign In

I'm guessing you don't have access to a heated shed for this. Probably not a torpedo heater either. You could have an issue with the glow plugs, but this could be a manifold preheater system too. Your car line isn't sold in the US so I've never seen one. If you can get the engine to a higher temp then it will start even with a bad heating system. I would say plug in your block heater and get a hair dryer under the hood with a thick blanket over the top of the motor to hold in the heat. Leave it for an hour or two. If you have a propane torch run it along the oil pan and intake manifold for a few minutes to warm them further and then try cranking it. Do not use any ether or you risk serious damage and injury. If the glow plugs do work they will ignite it.

If you could get a large forced-air heater blowing on the engine for a few hours you might get this running and be able to get to a shop to have the issue taken care of.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 21, 2013, 1:10 PM

Post #7 of 9 (12042 views)
Re: diesel engine won't start Sign In

Nick - you amaze me. I knew you had a good grip on things "diesel" not so common around me. A bit surprised they are common to some degree around you as your area is probably a bit colder that it gets her. Last season only brushed off a minus 8F. NBD.

I just know that since forever diesels don't like that. I dare say that even if this site is mostly US based that tons about how a diesel operates in universal.

You go guy! -- Tom


MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
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Jan 21, 2013, 2:55 PM

Post #8 of 9 (12034 views)
Re: diesel engine won't start Sign In

Tom,

There are a lot of trucking companies here the Midwest. Plus, in my neck of the woods, all of the farmers love a nice diesel pickup! I myself have never owned one nor have worked on one.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 21, 2013, 4:54 PM

Post #9 of 9 (12024 views)
Re: diesel engine won't start Sign In

MG - they are here and I totally respect the whole idea. Just a void in hands on experience as said. It's messing up this thread that I think already croaked but did study to some degree my older bro's diesel back hoe. Damn - made in Korea but the thing is a smart machine.

I only added a 12v power port to the thing as it did not have one. Duh - fused and done right. He is 130 miles away so not easy.

Admitted as now real clue but that damn thing runs like a sewing machine, silent smooth running. My take on diesels is more like they are full of rocks. Just maybe I might own one some day but so far no,

Tom






 
 
 






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