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I've noticed that my HDi 90 is taking longer to start - 5 or 6 turns instead of 1 or 2 previously.

Almost sounds like the XUD used to when the glow plugs were on their way out.

Would it be related in any way to disconnecting the pipe from the EGR and blocking it with a bolt at the EGR end?
Does the bolt need PTFE round it to stop air getting in?
Does it need blocked at the actuator end?

I've no idea if it could be the problem but why not try reconnecting temporarily?

Aye I was thinking that in the drive in this morning, I will reconnect and see, pollute my inlet manifold with exhaust gunk again

I was just wondering had I done it right

Bolt at the end of the pipe coming from the actuator to the EGR:

/--\
EGR |----------------Actuator


or should the bolt be blocking air coming *from* the EGR?

/--\
EGR-----------------| Actuator

Don't think it makes any difference - you're just trying to stop the pipe from the solenoid valve sucking air in.

It's normal for HDi's to be a bit more clattery in cold weather, also you tend to get a bit of tappet noise if it's nearing oil-change time. Can't imagine the egr affecting starting, but having it disabled will extend warm-up time a bit.

The record amount of turns before starting i had was 18 in an xud 205, it was only £20 but in the winter there was always this long starting procedure i always knew it would start and then the greatest sound in the world happened you could hear it cough into life and then it was running and the smoke would actually surround the whole car

406executiveHDI wrote:The record amount of turns before starting i had was 18 in an xud 205, it was only £20 but in the winter there was always this long starting procedure i always knew it would start and then the greatest sound in the world happened you could hear it cough into life and then it was running and the smoke would actually surround the whole car

My old ZX would do that when the glow plugs were on their way out. Eventually though the battery would run low, and you would feel compelled to get them changed.

Car is behaving itself the last day, starting on the 1st / 2nd turn again, before I've had a chance to tinker with the EGR pipes again, so will keep an eye.