Siemens HDi bubbles & hard starting......

[Blubayou]

Old topic really which keeps popping up, in my case it's hard starting in the cold last week, crank crank crank......

I think it may be down to fuel pressure at the Low/high pressure pump (no pump in the tank in these), always air in the system inlet now matter how much you pump the primer bulb.

I've been thinking of removing the bulb & substituting a facet low pressure / high volume pump which remains on all the time pressure is required.

Any thoughts on this anyone?

[piglet]

Mine always had bubbles in the clear return pipe, didn't cause any problems but when I changed the fuel filter & seals they went away.

[rwb]

Mine always had bubbles in too. I also found that the bulb doesn't go solid like it does on the 1.9

Is it just in the cold? The HDis do use the glow plugs for starting, but only when it's very cold does it put the dash light on to ask you to wait.

[Doggy]

Don't try using a lift pump, your fuel pressure regulator will be unable to cope, I found out the hard way: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24343

Prospective SIL is still having occasional starting issues, when he does the bulb's usually gone soft. Damned if we can find a leak tho. Going try swapping the fuel filter next.

The other thing it just might be is lower cranking speed due to the cold = less suction from the HP pump - his always seems OK if the battery's been off & charged.

Methinks we might swap batteries among the 307 fleet......

[Blubayou]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the responses, I guess I don't want to introduce any furtter problems, thanks Doggy.

I've been giving the bulb a pump before starting in the last few days, still took 12 cranks to start when the temperatures were just around zero. Trouble is the battery struggles (new Bosch last year) as I'm travelling to work, 2 miles with the blower on etc... as I normally go on my bike and save the car for longer journeys.

Incidentally the car is now on 120'000 but I keep it in good nick including fuel filter etc.. last year I checked all the glowplugs too bit all four metered out good.

It's 10c outside today, no pumping, started at 4-5 cranks as usual, definitely a cold weather thing