I have posted two or three threads about the old problem of warm starting a 1.9 diesel. I've changed the thermostat and the temperature sender, and had two good services, which have largely cured the problem, and very recently bought a new battery. At the moment I use an additive for every tankful. However, the car still refuses to start easily on occasions when left standing for something between ten minutes and an hour. If it's cold and the glow plugs come on, fine. Likewise, if it's still very hot from a run, fine. Otherwise it can take a fair bit of cranking, and when it fires there's quite a bit of smoke, although this does clear instantly.

So, the big question is: do I pay to have the injectors cleaned ultrasonically? I have contacted a very fair sounding, apparently professional outfit who'll do all four for £50 including return postage. Is this throwing money away, or could it be the last piece in the jigsaw? I just feel that dirty injectors, contaminated over time, would benefit from a good clean, and this method seems to be the business.

If anyone has any experience of this, I'd love to know.

Many thanks,

Mr Music

I've heard weak starter motors can cause long cranking times once the engine has warmed up, due to compression being higher whilst the engine is hot.

I've a 1.9TDI PD105, once hot it takes a while to crank over.

I've found if i give a second or so turning it over, then stop and turn the key again it fires near enough instantly :S

try unplugging the coolant sensor and see if that makes any difference, it's not unknown for new sensors to be duff (or it may not be the right sensor)

try unplugging the coolant sensor and see if that makes any difference, it's not unknown for new sensors to be duff (or it may not be the right sensor)

I dont know where it is matey, plus would this flag up a fault code unplugging it?

Have used ultrasonic cleaning but only really on petrol injectors, if they can do diesel ones and it works then £50 sounds fair enough. Usually with diesels i go to a diesel injection specialist and have them "crack" tested for flow,spray pattern and release "the crack" pressure. 9 times out of 10 they fail badly and need replacing due to wear in the needle. To test them they normally charge about £8 an injector but thats trade price but i don't think retail is much more nowdays anyway. Hope this helps:)

:iagree: - Apart from anything else "cleaning" injectors doesn't correct wear.