Hi guys got another problem that needs solving, while starting the engine up (cranking) sometimes the engine starts fine and sometimes it shakes and just won't start so I stop turning and reset the ignition and try again after 2-3 trys it reluctantly starts. Once started the car drives fine (feels a little hesitant but gets me to where I need to go)

 

The car recently broke down ( the starter wasn't engaging the fly wheel)and after replacing the starter motor, which had worn down splines on the pinion, started up fine but today it's started being shaky on start up occasionally. 

 

I checked the teeth on the flywheel ring gear and they were slightly chewed, I'm not sure if this new started is being worn down by the flywheel again causing the problem.

 

If anyone has any advice or suggestions for me I'd appreciate it. Thanks

Foot on the clutch when you start the car. See if that makes a difference

I always start the car with the clutch depressed, makes no odds either way.

 

Good thought tho 

Check the injection timing when cold and also make sure there are no leaks from around the tandem fuel pump

30 minutes ago, cheezemonkhai said:

Check the injection timing when cold and also make sure there are no leaks from around the tandem fuel pump

I take it you need vcds to do the timings? There is no visible leaks around the pump, but there is a black gunk build up around the little hole next to the oil separator  (the black circle on the back right of the engine). I've been looking into this pump recently, the car can work fine from cold or hot, but even the short time from filling up with fuel to getting back in the car it will have problems again.. The tandem pump wouldn't cause problems that fast would it?

 

Thanks 

measure engine rotation on cranking with vcds,if the battery or starter are a bit bad if engine don't get enough rotation injectors wont start. it is also a bigger problem when engine i hot, commonly known as " hot start " issue.

2 hours ago, CarKiler said:

measure engine rotation on cranking with vcds,if the battery or starter are a bit bad if engine don't get enough rotation injectors wont start. it is also a bigger problem when engine i hot, commonly known as " hot start " issue.

Unfortunately I don't have vcds, tho I have just placed an order for it, so I'll be sure to check when it arrives. The battery seems to check out good at 12.5v and 14.4 running so I'm guessing that's good? The starter has just been replaced so I'm inclined to guess that's ok. The shaking/rumbling only some times occurs, sometimes it starts fine, sometimes it just shakes/rumbles and won't start, sometimes it shakes/rumbles from anywhere between 1-5 seconds then starts. Clutch up/down hot/cold seem to have no impact on the issue.

 

My thoughts are that since the flywheel likes to stop in only 3 positions. then position 1- the teeth are fine = starts fine. Position 2 - teeth are partly worn = shakes as it slips on the ring gear but eventually starts. Position 3 - teeth are foobared = just keeps slipping teeth on the ring gear.

 

This is just an educated guess from research,  let me know what you think.

 

Thanks

I had this issue like in an Opel Astra DTI sometimes - when turning the key to start engine and hold the key in ignition position some 100 of secs less it would not probably got the right time for the diesel to fire and engine's pistons were trying to fire correctly while engine was really shaking a lot...

Immediately shut down engine and then start up again leaving the key at the right moment when fire was done completely and normal and no more problems....

Tried this other times to test and my thought ended to be right.

So I hold key in the while cycle .

28 minutes ago, AkisVH said:

I had this issue like in an Opel Astra DTI sometimes - when turning the key to start engine and hold the key in ignition position some 100 of secs less it would not probably got the right time for the diesel to fire and engine's pistons were trying to fire correctly while engine was really shaking a lot...

Immediately shut down engine and then start up again leaving the key at the right moment when fire was done completely and normal and no more problems....

Tried this other times to test and my thought ended to be right.

So I hold key in the while cycle .

Hey mate thanks for the reply, not sure I fully understand what you're saying, are you saying to turn off the engine half way through the start cycle then  immediately switch it back on again ? Thanks 

Also check fuel suply pump in the tank..

1 hour ago, Moztune said:

Hey mate thanks for the reply, not sure I fully understand what you're saying, are you saying to turn off the engine half way through the start cycle then  immediately switch it back on again ? Thanks 

I mean do not get hurry to leave your hand from the key at the point of turning it for starting the engine.

Just leave the key as soon as the engine fires for good..

Hope is clearer now.