Peugeot 406 (1999 - 2004) - 01 2.0hdi bosch. Takes long time to start

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Mon 10 Nov 2008 11:16
01 2.0hdi bosch. Takes long time to start - 406xsara
Hi,
I have this car for over a year - trouble free.
Now on 145,000 miles.
It has always taken 6 or 7 turns to start from cold. But when hot (just after been driven) takes an excessive number of turns to start, 8 or 10 turns of the engine to start.
If left to cool for about an hour starts after 6 or 7 turns as when cold.
I have driven a few 03 and 02 406 hdi's which all start with one or 2 turns of the engine whether hot or cold.
If it was a petrol engine I would say the coolant temp sensor was faulty.

Seems like an electrical problem but not sure what to look at on these.
I have a code reader (none recorded) and multimeter.

Any help would be appreciated with this annoying problem.......

{subject line tidied up}

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 10/11/2008 at 12:41

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Mon 10 Nov 2008 13:16
01 2.0hdi bosch. Takes long time to start - Screwloose

Slow starting and bad hot starting could be low fuel-rail pressure. If the rail pressure sensor does not report 120 bar in the rail, the injectors are not fired.

Although the use of the extensive live-data available is preferrable, a multi-meter will suffice. Insert a pin or similar into the back of the centre terminal of the rail sensor's plug. [Easiest done plug removed, then refit.]

At key-on, the voltage should be 0.5 volts; it needs to be above 0.833 volts to exceed 120 bar and should be a stable 1.29 volts at idle.
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Mon 10 Nov 2008 14:08
01 2.0hdi bosch. Takes long time to start - 406xsara
snipquote

Thanks for the reply Screwloose I'll give it a go...

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 10/11/2008 at 19:05

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Mon 10 Nov 2008 14:35
01 2.0hdi bosch. Takes long time to start - 406xsara
Would the cause of low pressure in the rail be the high pressure pump or could it be the low pressure pump?
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Mon 10 Nov 2008 14:46
01 2.0hdi bosch. Takes long time to start - Screwloose

Many possible causes - some obscure - let's see whether that is indeed the case first. There are other causes of poor starting too.
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Mon 1 Dec 2008 14:20
01 2.0hdi bosch. Takes long time to start - 406xsara
Hello again,
Finally got round to checking the voltage on the fuel rail presure sensor.

At key-on the voltage is 0.52 volts; after 5-6 turns it reaches 0.833 volts and starts and is stable at 1.34Volts at idle.
{snipquote!

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 01/12/2008 at 18:40

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Mon 1 Dec 2008 14:36
01 2.0hdi bosch. Takes long time to start - Screwloose

It should reach 120 bar in 1.5 revolutions of the engine. You need an injector leak-off rate check and a primary pressure check as a next step.

Both of those need expensive kit; so seek out a diesel specialist.
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Mon 18 May 2009 15:01
01 2.0hdi bosch. Takes long time to start - 406xsara
Finally sorted this problem...
Initially tried the fuel pressure regulator on the back of the pump but this made no difference.
Sourced a 2nd hand high pressure pump from a scrappy 150euro - job done!!!
Starts no problem hot or cold now...
Thanks for your excellent help......
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