escort diesel difficult to start

[chopperman]

It has always taken a while to start sometimes requiring 3 goes with the glow plugs which i have renewed. We have owned it for nearly ten years

[NORMANTHEDOG]

could be a number of things,have you kept it reguly serviced,we allways change the oil and filters on our diesels every 6k,the battery could be low,the fuel filter could need replacing,might be some crap in it,or it could be just one of those old stubborn diesels engines,that need a couple of goes to get it going. we have a 15 yr old merc thats like that,but it has done over 280,000 miles

[mr rusty]

If the car is regularly serviced then It's most likely cause will be a slight air leak into the fuel system. Because old style diesels suck the fuel up from the tank any weakness in the pipes will allow air to be sucked in as well.

Just check over the pipes and make sure any joints are tight, especially around the filter head or fuel heater, if fitted.

[homer75]

Diesels become difficult to start with poor compression. It may be just wear and tear which is causing the problem. Get a compression test done - it will be either bore wear or valve seat probs. You can buy a compression tester reasonably cheaply ( you will need adapter for glow plug holes ). Check for satisfactory readings - if poor check second time with a small amount of oil down the bores - if compression readings go up then you have bore / ring wear if no change then it's valve seats.

[mr rusty]

A diesel engine compression tester is a pricey bit of gear-it will cost you the thick end of �150 or so....petrol engine ones are cheap but won't work- they'll just burst. If you do suspect bore or valve problems then a garage will be able to test the compression for you but normally if a diesel engine is so worn it has problems starting then there will be other signs -they'll burn oil and smoke a lot and also fume from the breather system-in extreme cases they get so worn that oil gets past the rings and you get a runaway engine as it runs on its own oil.....scarey to see, but once seen, never forgotten!!

Does it fume and smoke or does it run normally when started- how did it do on it's last smoke test? If it passed, it's probably safe to assume the motor is mechanically sound and the problem lies in the fuel supply.