wont start

[Tim 70]

i have a 1.8 diesel escort m reg and when left over night it takes a very long time to start in morning.i was told its sucking in air i have checked i can not see a problem has anybody got any answers

[(tags.bond)?]

check heater plugs (glow plugs)

[Toureman]

It's not sucking in air.

You probably have one or more faulty glowplugs.

[mr rusty]

Its just as likely to be air in the system as faulty glowplugs.

Check your glowplugs to make sure they are working- use a multimeter to see if current is reaching the realy and then the plugs. You can also remove them one at a time and switch on and watch them glow if they are working. If you have a multimeter and know how to use it you should get a 1 ohm resistance from a good plug.

But it's just as likely to be air being sucked in- these engines will still start with only one or two plugs working: they'll chug and smoke a bit but still start, but you won't physically see air being pulled in. You need to check all the fuel line connections and also the injector and pump leak-off pipes for cracking.

The primer is well known for leaking and causing starting probs as well- especially if it's got a CAV bulb type one-have you pumped the primer for a while before starting?? If you do this and it fires up straight away then that'll discount the glowplugs.

[walter2004]

pump the plunger on top of the filter. it should go hard. if not then it is either drawing air or leaking.