Volvo V70 2.5TDi Starting Problems

[Gary406]

hello all, my uncle has got a 1997 R volvo v70 2.5 tdi . and its getting worse and worse at starting. were could the problem lie. any ideas ?

its done 180k miles

[Gary406]

we thought it was the glow plugs cos in winter it would take about an hour for us to get it going. but same problem happening in summer months .
could it be a lazy starter motor ?

[steve_earwig]

It still could be the glowplugs, did you test them or anything?

[Gary406]

no we didnt even change them yet because when summer came it started ok but its getting worse and worse now.
i think 1st job is get them changed.

cheers steve

[scotty73]

no we didnt even change them yet because when summer came it started ok but its getting worse and worse now.
i think 1st job is get them changed.

cheers steve

When did summer come? did i sleep through that?

Get them glow plugs out mate.

[Gary406]

will do cheers

[Gary406]

it turns over really really slow/weak when trying start it ? had battery tested and its fine. its also charging fine wen running ?
it always turns over really slow .

[lozz]

iagree with steve, it couid be the Glow plugs.

A friend of ours had one of these v70s he had nowt but trouble with it in the cold snaps,
irember him mentioning him putting the ign on 3 times before starting, giving the glow plugs and extra run iguess,

Whats the Battery like ? id start with the basics, and then work on to other stuff

eg is the fuel running back to the tank over night , seen it happen on some diesels causing them to be a Biatch to start

[Gary406]

had battery and alternator tested lozz and there working as they should. some 1 told him it could be starter motor but i said change glowplugs 1st.

is there any special way to change these ? ie engine hot or cold ?

[Welly]

Slow cranking speed can be related to the power cable going to the starter. Sometimes the cable breaks down inside and cannot pass the full current needed (goes brittle/dry). You might try locating this thick cable and maybe unbolting it/clean up/put back etc (disconnect battery though) also look around the engine bay for corroded earths etc.

The starter might also be at fault.

Compression-ignition engines need a strong crank-over to start easily.

[Gary406]

thanks welly

[Bailes1992]

First thing I would do is try the glowplugs. By the sounds of it haven't been changed for a while! Go for a good make like Bosch or NGK. Cheap glowplugs are a waste of space and you end up buying twice. Older diesels still need glowplugs, even in the summer!

I would also do as Welly said, check the battery terminals, check the main feed from the battery to the starter and clean up any earths in the engine bay.

You may also have fuel running back to the tank, if it has a primer pump this until it goes hard and keep squeezing. Have a look around for fuel leaking while you keep squeezing. As the fuel is under pressure you should notice is leaking out of any return/leak off pipes on the injectors. If there is a leak then the fuel will run back to the tank. There should also be a one way valve in the system, this may have failed so you could try fitting another one. These are generally universal, just snip the feed and insert the valve.

Also just because the battery was tested fine dosen't mean it is 100%. This would be my last port of call.

[jasper5]

Battery would be my first check, try a jump start and see if that speeds up the cranking.

If the cranking speeds up with a jump start then charge the battery, if it doesn't then check the earthing/wiring then the starter motor.

If the engine is turning nicely and it doesn't start then maybe look at the glowplugs.

[Gary406]

changed battery today. still turning slowly. we tried to look for cables and did find them going to the starter motor right under the turbo at the back. god knows how your meant to get to it but we certainly cant
same with the glowplugs, they seem to be under the injectors covered by a bracket. glad i dont own a v70 they look a nightmare
john would changing the starter motor be a job you would do ?

[jasper5]

changed battery today. still turning slowly. we tried to look for cables and did find them going to the starter motor right under the turbo at the back. god knows how your meant to get to it but we certainly cant
same with the glowplugs, they seem to be under the injectors covered by a bracket. glad i dont own a v70 they look a nightmare
john would changing the starter motor be a job you would do ?

I'll have a look at it for you Gary....very busy this week, but next week looks a bit quiet, let me know when you want me to look at it.

I have a mate who supplies starter motors and the place where we went to do your 406 top strut mount is a Volvo specialist, plus my son works for Volvo....between us we can sort it out.