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FD7

Member Since: 16 Feb 2021
Location: Midland
Posts: 168

2006 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Auto Chawton White

Cold start hesitancy

Hoping for a bit of guidance, I have a late model TD5 which is not often used, although still well serviced and has some fresh diesel every month or so for its outings.

LR Fuel filter was done last summer since done approx 700miles. New starter motor fitted around 3 years ago.

I've noticed more recently that the first cold start of the day (despite being indoors) requires quite a few seconds of cranking. At times it felt excessively long, that I'd stop to avoid flooding it. When it does fire up under lot of cranking, a plume of smoke coughs out and then disappears.

Initially battery was very low due to lack of use and it failed to start, so I used a power pack. Since then as I've tried using the vehicle a bit more, the battery is back to its usual self.

Today there was less cranking involved but still it's not the instant fire up that I'm use to with others.

I always wait for the glow plugs to go out and I can hear the fuel pump buzzing away (noticeably faster/ louder when the battery is fully charged).

It is just the first cold start of the day being a bit hesitant. Once started, even if you turn it off immediately, it starts immediately just fine i.e slight turn of the key. The same again throughout the day if used or even if it's left unused for a number of hours, it'll still fire up just fine. Drives very well.

No recollection on the fuel pump ever being done and the battery has to be at least 7 years old now, but I don't feel its that.

I do recall when the starter motor failed those years ago, before we knew it was the starter, the engine light briefly came on and the diagnostic apparently showed a fault with the crank position sensor. But I think that was due to excessive cranking and it has since done 5k miles. The diagnostic at the time also did not flag that fault at the time again.

Any thoughts about what it could potentially be?

1st Feb 2023 9:46pm

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey

Sounds like a bit of air getting into the fuel system when it's being left to stand for a while. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

1st Feb 2023 9:57pm

FD7

Member Since: 16 Feb 2021
Location: Midland
Posts: 168

Can something be done about that?

1st Feb 2023 10:14pm

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

Almost certainly, but the trick is finding where the leak is, unfortunately. One potential culprit is the joints between the pipes and fuel filter housing, which are known to go brittle. Another is corrosion of the pipes into the top of the sender unit in the tank. It could even just be the fuel filter itself not being fitted tightly enough. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

1st Feb 2023 10:21pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5416

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver

Before your first start pump the accelerator pedal 10 times with ignition on. This will run the pump in the fuel bleeding mode. The engine light will flash during this. After try and start, if it starts straight away then you have a better idea air was in fuel. Normal with air in the fuel system the pump also becomes noisier.

It could also be that your glow plugs aren’t all working.

1st Feb 2023 10:31pm

FD7

Member Since: 16 Feb 2021
Location: Midland
Posts: 168

Thank you both for the responses - all helpful

I haven't used this Landy for just over a week and thought almost certainly I'd need to carry out the purge procedure. However, it cranked over and in a couple seconds fired up.

It was approx 7 degrees outside, so indoors imagine a little more.

I suppose I can continue to monitor - but how very odd!

By the way, is there any ill effects by performing the purge procedure? Also.... is it possible if air was in the system, can it find its way out (for good) if the vehicle is used? (Assuming no leak etc)

Last edited by FD7 on 9th Feb 2023 7:39pm. Edited 2 times in total

9th Feb 2023 7:34pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5416

Sounds more like duff, (maybe just afew not all) glow plugs have failed. As standard there are only 4 for the 5 cylinders.

9th Feb 2023 7:36pm

FD7

Member Since: 16 Feb 2021
Location: Midland
Posts: 168

Hmm, I was thinking what you said too and the Landy is over 100k miles.

I will add a full set of genuine ones to the list and hopefully no concerns upon removal.

9th Feb 2023 7:41pm

Notyalc

Member Since: 27 Jul 2018
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 139

A good TD5 does not need glow plugs to start.
Not saying mine is good, but it will start when frozen solid as soon as the starter turns, no glow plugs.
It will do the same when stood for 2 or 3 weeks.

My suggestion would be air getting in somewhere.

Is it the same when the fuel tank is full?

9th Feb 2023 9:40pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5416

I notice a difference in mine when using the glow plugs or not when V cold.

9th Feb 2023 10:10pm

FD7

Member Since: 16 Feb 2021
Location: Midland
Posts: 168

Well…. Touchwood… this is now a non existent problem. It seems to be cold starting whenever I desire, whether it be days or weeks apart.

So none the wiser but not overly concerned anymore.

24th Feb 2023 2:54pm

Procta

Member Since: 04 Dec 2016
Location: Sunderland
Posts: 4932

might have be the battery is now fully charged? i know my 306 HDI can struggle like hell to fire over if the battery is on its way out, when cold, even more noticeable if its cold. My TD5 did the same thing when the battery was on its way out, so i suspect your battery could be on its way out, cold weather is a tester for batteries.
So i wouldn't rule the battery out due to the age of it,

Defender TD5 90 ---/--- Peugeot 306 HDI hatch back

Success is 90% Inspiration and 4 minutes Preparation # you can make it!

28th Feb 2023 3:52am

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