New battery time?

[Captain Jack]

On Friday, after standing for a day, I went to start my car and it seemed to struggle to turn over but eventually started after a few seconds. At the shops, it started fine on the way back. Today, it's the same thing, really struggling to turn over, but on the way back it was OK.

I am guessing with this cooler weather upon us, the battery is being drained quicker than normal - but is it new battery time?

[TopDonkey]

Can you get an assistant to measure the battery voltage before you try to start the car next time ?, and then another one as you crank the car up, but just before the engine fires, and then another one just after you have started it with the revs held around 2000 and post the results here ?

Sometimes the symptoms you describe can be caused by a starter motor on its way out rather than the battery failing

[richteex]

Obvious question but doesithave a levelindicator?minedoesandshowsgreen if ok.Last yearat xmas Ididnt use it for 2 weeks when it was very cold and it died completely. Charged it upand has been ok since.

Maybe you could charge itupand see if it makes a difference

[steve_earwig]

Cordlesskeyboard?

Might just be thicker oil due to cooler weather, unless it sounds like it's not going to make it. Best to test it anyway, jump starting a D9 isn't best practice...

[elmtreeandy]

Another old favourite (which caught me out) is poor earthing on the engine. Check the earth strap connection on the starter motor for corrosion. Yes, even here in sunny Spain we have this kind of fun. Good luck, Andrew

[Welly]

The D9 has a built in low battery warning.............ELECTRONIC IGNITION FAULT on the mfd whilst cranking - mine did this for 4 days prior to the battery dying.

[Captain Jack]

Hm OK. Mine doesn't seem to be exhibiting any error messages or otherwise odd behaviour. It's just the cranking first thing in the morning, which takes a few turns to start up (seems slower to turn and backlight on the MDF dim a lot more visibly than normal).

I haven't had to chance to take any voltage measurements due to "it's pissing down" weather here, but I'll do it as soon as I get the chance.

[mjb]

How old's your battery?

[Captain Jack]

How old's your battery?

Not a clue. It came with the car when I bought it in Feb of this year.

The indicator thing is still showing green but I am not sure if I should trust that.

[Captain Jack]

Well, it was very cold this morning (-2C) and the car started after a few slow-ish turns. The starter turn over speed doesn't seem to be getting worse, but I am using the car daily so the battery is not really given a chance to be drained. We'll see what happens at the weekend when I give it a rest.

Grrr.... All these little niggles are becoming expensive.

1) Battery (?) - £40-£50
2) Air doser - oil leak seems to be getting worse - £35
3) Potentially all engine mounts - £66 from eBay (yes, I will attempt the bottom mount myself without driveshaft removal)
4) Master clutch cylinder - still need to get rid of that pedal-not-always-coming-up-fully issue - ~£40

Total: £191

P.S. 5) Remap £295

Edit: Oh, and while defrosting the car this morning, the cabin filled with some nasty burnt diesel smell. It cleared as soon as I started moving. A hole in exhaust system in the engine? £££

[Welly]

Edit: Oh, and while defrosting the car this morning, the cabin filled with some nasty burnt diesel smell. It cleared as soon as I started moving. A hole in exhaust system in the engine? £££

Cap'n I reckon your eggsauce flexi on the down pipe has a hole in it! mine was exactly the same - smelt like a coal stove when stationary. Also this would explain the vibration/noise at low revs. When a diesel eggsauce gets a hole it's not as loud as a petrol but produces a gruff, low, rumble.

Here's mine..



Kinked...


And the new..

Ooh look, you get a shiney new CAT too ..


And an engine mount for good measure..

Grrr..


Awww...


If I look at another HDi theses things would be TOP of the list!!

Welly

[Captain Jack]

Bollocks... I was afraid you'd say that! To be honest, I wouldn't even notice the hole on your flexi hose as it just looks like some strands are missing. Why did you need a new Cat? These things are expensive...

[mjb]

Why did you need a new Cat? These things are expensive...

I'm going to guess that it's all one part?

[Welly]

Yip, it's all in one.

Some say you can frigg one up by getting an eggsauce place to cut and weld a new flexi for you. I had no choice and was struggling for time so just stumped up the Dollar for a newy.

it's actually the engine mount that breaks the flexi pipe through too much movement. Mine also tore through the intercooler hose which was rubbing on a radiator bracket.....Happy days

[lofty]

Edit: Oh, and while defrosting the car this morning, the cabin filled with some nasty burnt diesel smell. It cleared as soon as I started moving. A hole in exhaust system in the engine? £££

Mines started doing the same thing, plus its sounds a bit deeper on tickover - bet my flexys shafted as well.....

Oh well, it'll wait till spring im sure now.