Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - planetHJ
My peugeot 406 hdi 02 reg doesn't start up.
Problem started around xmas when temperatures fell.

I've noticed on the dash thermo that if the temp outside is above 11deg cent it starts and any lower it needs a squirt of easy start while someone cranks the engine.

(AA man thought it was because the battery wasn't properly charged and introduced me to, "easy start" spray.
A squirt of that in the air intake as i started the car and the engine came alive. But ever since the problem has not gone, i need to constantly use easy start!)

Asked around further and was told it would be the glow plugs.
Changed glow plugs and still no luck!
Engine cranks as before but doesn't start!

Garage guy now wants to try the relay but don't really wanna pay them for more unnecessary work if can be helped.

Any ideas?


Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - planetHJ
forgot to add:
the lights on the dash which signal when the diesel is ready to be started go out after 1-2s i've been told that they should stay on for about 10-18s!
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - Screwloose
planetHJ

An easy first check; is there any power reaching the glow-plugs when it's cold? The plugs on all systems stay on long after the dash indicator goes out. These plugs stay on for a full minute after it's started too.

Is the battery up to the task? Is the battery earth cable connexion on the gearbox 100% sound? [Not easy to see without taking it off.] A worn HP pump can do this too; it's pressure when cranking can be checked in live-data with a suitable scan-tool. Needs to be a minimum of 120 bar.
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - Bromptonaut
Glowplugs on HDi only operate for 2/3 seconds (if that), 10+ seconds would be right for XUD or other idi engines.
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - lolingram
My peugeot 406 hdi 02 reg doesn't start up.
Problem started around xmas when temperatures fell.
I've noticed on the dash thermo that if the temp outside
is above 11deg cent it starts and any lower it needs


My Xantia HDi with 200k on the clock starts immediately on the key at temps below º0C. Your problem would not appear related to glow plugs (are there any?).

Must be a fuelling problem - unless poor compression which is very unlikey.
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - Number_Cruncher
>>unless poor compression which is very unlikey.

If the car has been needing to use "easy start", then after looking at glow plugs, a compression test would be next on my list of things to look at.

Number_Cruncher
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - mark25
I would investigate the condition of the temperature sensor that the glow plug controller looks at to determine the glow plug warm up time. If there's a seperate glow plug controller under the bonnet, make sure its local earth connection is in good order.

Then things get more complex: i would try, if pos, to measure the voltage at, and current flowing through one of the glowplugs. The results of this test can be used to pinpoint a fault, if one exists in the glowplug system.
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - glowplug
This may sound critical but I'm shocked by what I've read, this is why -

I'd never use easy start on anything of mine (or anyone elses come to that) unless I was struggling to start it to take it to the scrap yard.

I'm staggered that the AA man would suggest using it to start an HDi. In the days of the old York diesel Transits it may have been necessary but not anymore.

I'd find another garage that understands HDi's. My HDi never seems to use the glowplugs, I've only seen the indicator once when the temperture was about -2/3 C.

Good luck with getting it sorted out.

Steve.
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Xantia HDi. - Float on!
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - pugman406
Hi

i had a somewhat similiar problem with my pug406 2001 hdi. after months of taking it to different garages i found the problem to be a faulty fuel injector. The only slight differenc is that my problem happened more so when the engine had warmed up.

The best advice i can offer you is to find a diesel specialist who has a kit for testing the injectors, it would probably cost you about a £10 for the test, as it only takes aboyt 10 mins, they disconnet the feed pipes from the top of the injectors and connect glass viles into the tops of the injectors and then turn it over, if excessive diesel fills the tube then the injector needs replacing.

Hope this gives you some idea.
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - Quinny
I'd agree with Steve as to the old York engines needing it.

My Dad used to use it on his old York engined Transit,and as a kid,I had a Saturday job at one of the well known national bakeries,and when the temperature was freezing outside,the only way to get the old Leyland 550FG's started,was to give them a quick squirt of 'dope' to fire them into life.

I too am extremely surprised that the 'very nice man' even thought of using it on a modern diesel engine.Seems to me he wanted to get it started quickly,and then move onto his next job.

As a footnote.Easy Start makes a good de-icer as well.Squirt the fluid,put a match to the spray,and voila,instant flame.However the down side is that it leaves a black residue around the windscreen,but when you are using it on bakery vehicles,you didn't care about that.
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - LivingHell

I have a 307 HDi and can truly relate to the 'cold start' methods!!..as soon as the temperature drops below -1 there is no easy start!..if it starts at all..I had new glow plugs, a new heavy duty battery and a new diesel pump and still no luck with starting in low temperatures. After weeks of spraying Lynx body spray up the air intake, which I add works like a charm, ...I can now offer that you can save yourselves a fortune and invest in matchsticks and a good alarm clock!..If you start your engine every 4 hours without fail through the night the car starts every time and purrs like a little kitten! ..even cars seek attention!!..hahaha. I am crackered but the car is happy!

Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - Robin the Technician
you should NEVER use easystart on a modern car engine. It wash's the lubricating oil off the bores. If you want a cheap way of starting the engine then borrow the wifes/girlfriends hairdryer and stick it up the air intake on fully hot. The increase in air temperature will start your diesel easily and cause no damage to it.
My 406 hdi struggles a bit to start in these temperatures but a trick I've learned is that when it starts cranking, after about 4 seconds let the key off crank and the engine bursts into life. My glow plug light on the dash is only on for a couple of seconds so it sounds like yours is working ok.

Robin the Technician
Peugeot HDi 02 cold start problems - Railroad.

As has already been said, Easy Start is the best way to cause serious engine damage. A diesel engine is a compression ignition engine and relies on the intake air reaching a minimum temperature when compressed. The introduction of any combustible substance will cause detonation. In short the expanding gasses resulting from the Easy Start burning well before injection takes place will be trying to force the piston down the cylinder while the cranskshaft is trying to push it up. Something has to give, and that's likely to be a con-rod which will become mis-shaped, and normal compression will be reduced further. This is why that say engines become 'addicted' to Easy Start, because in fact they actually do.

You might have a fault with the high pressure pump or injector nozzles. A common rail diesel engine needs to achieve a fuel rail pressure of 10,000kpa before the engine will start.