Vectra diesel Starting Snag

Discussion in 'Vectra' started by Enigma, Aug 23, 2003.

  1. Enigma

    Enigma Guest

    It seems that whenever the car has been left on an upward facing
    gradient, the engine is likely to react by displaying fuel starvation
    symptoms. i.e. being difficult to start in the same way as a petrol engine
    behaves when stricken by damp ignition problems.
    When it eventually does start, after straining the limits of the battery's
    capacity, there follows a large black exhaust cloud and then it runs
    perfectly thereafter.
    I do not have any experience of diesel malfunctions.
    Anyone ever heard of this one?
     
    Enigma, Aug 23, 2003
    #1
  2. Enigma

    Michael Shaw Guest

    Hmm, the parking on a gradient bit could be the fuel pump, filter or
    something in the fuel or return line.
    But, your mention of black smoke leads me to believe your glow plugs are not
    coming on, you don't say which diesel engine, if it is the Isuzu as fitted
    in the older mk1 1.7 TD then it could be the glow plug relay which is a
    common prob.
     
    Michael Shaw, Aug 23, 2003
    #2
  3. Enigma

    mike Guest

    u don't mention which engine it is
    however two things.

    park it the otherway around!! then u won't get downhill drainage in the
    pipe, but i would guess air is getting in somewhere, check the inline
    filter.
    2nd look for a hand 'squeezer' around the top left of the comartment, give
    that a few pumps before u start (till it goes hard).

    lastly, don't forget the glowplugs or the relay as the other person
    suggested, if u don't know the plugs have been changed...get 'em done now b4
    winter comes.

    mike
     
    mike, Aug 24, 2003
    #3
  4. Enigma

    mike Guest

    u don't mention which engine it is
    however two things.

    park it the otherway around!! then u won't get downhill drainage in the
    pipe, but i would guess air is getting in somewhere, check the inline
    filter.
    2nd look for a hand 'squeezer' around the top left of the comartment, give
    that a few pumps before u start (till it goes hard).

    lastly, don't forget the glowplugs or the relay as the other person
    suggested, if u don't know the plugs have been changed...get 'em done now b4
    winter comes.

    mike
     
    mike, Aug 24, 2003
    #4
  5. Enigma

    Michael Shaw Guest

    Oh, if you do have a relay problem on the Isuzu engine, with it sticking on,
    you may find it will fry your alternator.
     
    Michael Shaw, Aug 24, 2003
    #5
  6. Enigma

    Enigma Guest

    Its a 2 litre DTI manufactured 1998 first registered 1999.
    Thanks for all the views so far
     
    Enigma, Aug 26, 2003
    #6
  7. On these engines theres a fancy seal on the top of the injector which can
    leak depending on which variety of seal/injector is on the engine. I
    believe they are on seal no 3 now.
    Neil
     
    Neil Melville, Sep 5, 2003
    #7
  8. Enigma

    NIGEL Guest

    I have had this precise problem on my 2001 2.2 dti. Turned out to be
    just the rubber pipes on the injectors had perished and needed
    replacing at a cost of £38 including fitting and VAT by a proper
    dealer. Some dealers scared me by saying possible pump, possible
    injectors and to be honest I think they were looking to do as much as
    they could . I used Stamford dealer near Peterborough and they were
    excellent. Not so impressed with "Marshal dealer who didn't correct
    it during a 20,000 service.

    Apparently this is very common problem.
     
    NIGEL, Sep 8, 2003
    #8
  9. Enigma

    Robert Offer Guest

    Nigel
    Nice to know there are some good AND capable Vx dealers - especially near
    me - I used the one in Spalding and they are useless - Service & Sales -
    haven't tried parts as a "stand alone" function so can't comment there.
    Just to give you some idea they changed an ash tray (I don't smoke) in the
    dash because they scratched the pseudo wood effect in the valeting process
    (several deep scratches) prior to sale, just trying to open it. Eventually
    having replaced it some months later - they have now scratched the grey gear
    tunnel mount for it - two lovely scratches! AND it doesn't open properly.
    You usually have to press the top of the draw and then press the bottom and
    hey presto! it opens.
    What a shame they let the make and the dealerships down badly and that's
    without going on about the rest of the problems.
    I will remember the garage at Stamford when I next need some help and
    service.
    Cheers
    Rob.
     
    Robert Offer, Sep 20, 2003
    #9
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