Transit 2.5di cold start problem

[john c]

In freezing conditions I am having problems with starting my 1995 Mk 3 Transit 80, 2.5di with Bosch fuel pump. Battery is new, injectors changed 6k ago, (head had to come off to get back injector out so head overhauled at the same time), currently 107k miles.

Engine starts fine normally but when but when it is down to zero outside it just cranks and cranks, some times it will fire after a good 10 sec of cranking if not the battery eventually runs down. I am convinced its not the battery and the starter cranks the engine over with good speed. Obviously there are no glow plugs, but what does the orange lamp on pre-ignition indicate?

Had the van 4yrs and sure a fuel filter has been changed at some point. Van runs well and starts fine in all but the coldest conditions. Any suggestions on what to try next gratefully received, oil change is due and should have time to tinker over twixmas.

[Nighthawk]

It might well have a cold start system, but I couldn't say for sure without seeing a picture of the engine. Some transits were spec'd with a flame start device which needed NO driver interaction.

What does the symbol on the orange lamp show, i'd suspect that it's the test cycle of the water in the fuel filter warning lamp your seeing. The symbol will look more like a tank with fluid in it and is mistaken for low fuel level or low coolant level in most cases.

Re the concern.

You say the battery is good, if it's 590A cca or bigger and has full capacity, it should be fine.

It needs to crank at approx 290+ rpm in order to generate enough heat on the compression stroke for the atomised fuel to burn.

Fuel atomisation shouldn't be a concern on 6k old injectors, but it might be worth checking the spray pattern or even running the vehicle with some diesel cleaning additive in the tank incase you have a couple of cruddy tips.

The way you say it's only on cold days would eliminate most fuel problems like drain back etc, but if you can't find anything obvious it might be worth looking at the pump.

Does yours have the cold advance wax stat on it?

your looking for a large unit on the side of the pump it's self, one end attaches to a lever on the pump via a cable (inside a rubber belows) and the other end has a single cable on it.

The failure of that system can cause hard starting through lack of advance, but not all pumps had it fitted.....again a picture would confirm.

Regards

Nighthawk