Hello,

I own a 57 skoda fabia 3 1.4 pd80, it currently has 59752 miles on the clock and is such a great car I only bought the car last June with 57200 on the clock. It has never let me down even on the few cold mornings easily cranks into life. Recently after a long run (engine up to temp) I went to start the car and it just kept cranking and wouldn't start, I thought it might be a little air in the system or something like that so cranked it again and it started no bother, I thought nothing of it really

A week later I go to start the car to go to work outside temperature 7 degrees so not exactly a cold start and it just kept cranking again I reheated the glow plugs and still cranked until I pressed a little on the accelerator and it sprung into life. Does anyone have any idea why it is occasionally doing this ?? I had a full service including fuel filter done when I first got the car (6 months ago) and I only use shell v power diesel

Any help would be fantastic

Thanks

Alex

Glow plugs worn? Did you change the air filter too? Such things could need replacing again anyway if dirty. Any warning lights coming on? I,ve got a 80pd engine and never had the need for power diesel. I might chuck it in occasionally but the dealer said it is totally unnecessary and a waste of hard earned!

.

Edited 2 February, 201610 yr by jason01259

Hi mrgf, thanks for the reply,

I assumed the glowplugs were OK as even after a double or triple heat it still doesn't start, I'm not very mechanical so I may be incorrect on this. Yes I did also get the air filter changed at the same time as the fuel filter.

No warning lights coming on I managed to get it started today after 2 long cranks and once it's started it drives absolutely perfect the problem seems to only be at startup, I even charged the batter with my battery charge until full, unhooked the charger and the immediately tried to start it to see if it made any difference, unfortunately I couldn't get it too start at all.

And thanks for that info I may rethink about where I get my fuel as you said it does cost a lot more maybe even just running the v power through once a month would be beneficial or perhaps even using normal diesel and buying some millers to the fuel once in a while!

Thanks

Alex

When you turn the ignition on, before trying to start it, can you hear the fuel pump run?

Yes when the ignition is on you can hear the fuel pump priming, just like normal

I am completely out of ideas of what it might be it will probably need to go to skoda to try and diagnose the problem

I think I'll get my glow plugs replaced as even if it isn't them at least that eliminates them from being the problem, my car has done 59k I'm not entirely sure the life of glowplugs I assume it would vary how much you stop start the car

I really hope it is just a simple thing as the glowplugs tbh

I had this problem on my partners polo a few years ago. I'm not saying yours has the same issue but mine was air in the fuel lines.

I had the lift pump out and inspected it all, tested it. I even rigged up a timer circuit to the lift pump relay so you could run it for 20 seconds before starting but it didn't help. Checked fuel lines etc etc and it wasn't until I went to change the tandem pump I realised one of the pipes was loose on it. New jubilee clip and it was good as new

Also check the thermostatic fuel 'T' and o rings. The one with the micky mouse clip holding it onto the fuel filter if they still have this design. And of course check the lift pump as previously mentioned.

Have you got the car scanned for fault codes?

I doubt it's the glow plugs, a modern engine like the PD will start without them in this climate.

Edited 2 February, 201610 yr by SuperbTWM

Hi,

I haven't had the car scanned for faults yet, I'm on holiday for a week starting Friday so can't get it booked into skoda until the following week (I'm using my dads car when I'm away) so I will get it into skoda when I get back and explain the problem hopefully I will be able to get the car started after sitting for a week

Alex