failed start

[cardiff_gareth]

just been out to the disco to start her up as she's not been used today and its our first 'cold spell'
turns the key, starts for about half a second and stalls
tries again with a little throttle and again half a second and she stalls
3rd time and she starts, bit ropey and chuggy but after about 20 seconds she purring away.
never done this before as its been warmer weather so do you think it could be the glow plugs :?:

[L90OOK]

Are you running on veg oil?

[cardiff_gareth]

no, 100% derv

[karlo]

Could be glow plugs or possible air in fuel system (maybe weak lift pump) but i would change the glow plugs if they have been in a while.

[cardiff_gareth]

Could be glow plugs or possible air in fuel system (maybe weak lift pump) but i would change the glow plugs if they have been in a while.

looking at the service history it looks like they ar the ones from new...... better change them then  :lol:

[L90OOK]

Should start no problem without glow plugs.
I'd check the lift pump is working ok.  

[Darren]

This isn't strictly true. For some reason that I've never been able to establish, 300's generally are a lot more reliant on their glow plugs that 200's, although I'd agree Gareths' problem is more likely to be fuel related.

[hobbit]

This isn't strictly true. For some reason that I've never been able to establish, 300's generally are a lot more reliant on their glow plugs that 200's, although I'd agree Gareths' problem is more likely to be fuel related.

I agree with that, I have a 300 in the hybrid,  and always have to use the glow plugs when starting, while the 200 in the disco is just the opposite, starts first turn anytime anyweather no matter how long its been stood

Try a couple of tests to see if the glow plugs are getting power to them, then start pulling them to see if they are working

[extreme90]

i also agree, 300's are like my buttocks in the cold for starting, infact i give up on the disco one morning and just got into my 90 which i new would run, even tho the plugs arnt connected  :roll: ( which leads onto another story   )

id say its fuel related, i doubt its air in the fuel, as i would be giving trouble wether it was a hot or cold morning

id start at the lift pump
unscrew the fuel filter, it should be full to the top, or just a tiney bit below, if it isnt then thats a sign that the lift pump isnt very strong
dan