2009 Leon 1.9TDI SE 105 starting problem

[Greg_Paton]

Dear All

Please could anyone help with an issue that I have. I have just bought a 2009 leon 1.9TDI SE (105) with 20000 miles on the clock. The problem that I have noticed is that very occasionally the car is reluctant to start.

Initially I thought that I was to blame as it is my first diesel and I thought that I might have been flooding the engine. However it has happened again today. When I get into the vehicle I have been sure to let the glow plug light come on and go off and to leave the throttle pedal alone.

The majority of the time the engine starts and runs first time, however today it had to turn over for 8-10 seconds before chuging into life

Has anyone had an issue like this or can anyone provide and advice on how to fix the issue.

Thanks

Greg

 

[iwonagain]

You can't flood a diesel, maybe it's just the opposite, in that there is not enough fuel present.
Does it happen from an overnight cold start, when warm or when hot?
Could it be that there is a fuel return valve erratic behaviour problem, or is air being drawn into the fuel lines somewhere.
I remember some time ago 3 series diesels sometimes had starting trouble as you describe and a fix was to spray the fuel lines with silicon bit by bit till the problem went away, then replace that piece of pipe.
Sorry not to be more specific, but this type of problem often needs to cured through a process of elimination.

 

[Greg_Paton]

Hi, thanks for your thoughts. The problem seems to occur when the engine is both hot and cold.

Once it does start it appears to run perfectly well ???

 

[Nath.]

Get your fuel filter changed. I think it should be done at about 20k miles.

 

[Muttley]

Fuel filter interval is 40K miles, however this car is three years old (with only 20K on the clock! What's the story?). I'd be inclined to look at the fuel system first.

The fuel filter is apparently a replaceable paper element, which should make it a relatively cheap first step.

This is a PD engine so it has a lift pump in the fuel tank. If the fuel filter isn't the problem, check the lift pump for wiring damage, and listen to see if it starts up when you turn the ignition key.

Check the fuel lines for bubbles. A few little ones aren't usually a problem, but if there's a lot of air in the pipes then there's a leak somewhere.

 

[Greg_Paton]

Hi All

Thank you for the ideas I will get the fuel filter replaced and ill check the lines. I think the car has the BXE engine installed if this information helps.

I can hear the fuel pump prime the system and stop when the glow plug light goes out.

99% of the time the engine start first turn of the key, but every once in a while it chugs over for 5 or 6 seconds and then fires???. Once the engine fires it appears to be fine.

Greg

 

[MR2 super GT]

Hi All

Thank you for the ideas I will get the fuel filter replaced and ill check the lines. I think the car has the BXE engine installed if this information helps.

I can hear the fuel pump prime the system and stop when the glow plug light goes out.

99% of the time the engine start first turn of the key, but every once in a while it chugs over for 5 or 6 seconds and then fires???. Once the engine fires it appears to be fine.

Greg

I have the same symptoms with my pd150.
95k miles 2005. Fuel filter changed recently along with glow plugs. Did you ever get to the root of the problem ?

 

[asthpsw]

I don't know if this related but recently when my TDI has been left over night (during the recent hot spell) it produces alot of White smoke on startup and I think I've been told on this forum this is either a) weak fuel injection or b) moisture in the induction system.
I wonder if the hot weather is causing some sensor problems on a cold start and this could be the problem with yours ? (ie weak fuel injection).
Paul

 

[MR2 super GT]

Paul once mine starts there is some white smoke

 

[asthpsw]

OK Thanks but to me this was a sudden change and tons of smoke compared with zero before. So much it is embarissing !
The only changes recently are :
A) The hot weather or
B) I did 600 miles at motorway speeds over 5 days (it ran alot better afterwards) got 65mpg
C) I've put 2 tankfulls of V-Power in after years of using only Ultimate.

Paul




.

 

[Greg_Paton]

I have the same symptoms with my pd150.
95k miles 2005. Fuel filter changed recently along with glow plugs. Did you ever get to the root of the problem ?

Hi All

After contacting my local Seat dealership and Seat customer services they took the car and carried out a number of checks. They got no information from the ECU in the way of fault codes.

However after replacing the fuel lift pump ( I assume the one in the tank) and the relay that powers the pump together with the injector seals the car has started every time so far (fingers crossed).

I am still trying to build confidence in the car as the garage could not confirm the original fault and so cannot confirm that they have fixed the issue with the parts that they have replaced.

Watch this space.

Greg

 

[Muttley]

I said to check the lift pump Glad it's sorted. May simply have been a dodgy relay.

 

[MR2 super GT]

After more investigation I think it could be the dreaded cam wear
as per thread 301918

hard to start and a tapping noise which I could only describe as the sound a computer fan make when hitting a wire or something. Also similar to a very faint exhaust blow out sound.

I had thought it was a worn wheel bearing which the car did have to get changed but looks like its now going to be a bit more work than expected.

 

[runsinit]

My Leon 1.9 130 tdi had a few random times when it cranked over and over before it started. Has always started immediately in the 5 years I've had it. Started doing it more, then one morning it wouldn't go so glow plugs changed as 3 showed up as duff, no better. Then one day it wouldn't start after driving 40 miles but with a jump it started immediately. When it starts it runs absolutely fine, plenty of go and usual good economy. Had my 9 month old battery tested, that was fine. So in to my garage it went.

Fault codes as best I can remember were:

Pump injector management
Coolant temp sensor
Radiator fan

They changed the harness to the injectors and if anything it's worse but if they jump it it starts immediately, put a new battery on it - doesn't go - jump it from an old battery - it goes - cranking voltage drops to 10.6 which they say is fine. They can't understand why it goes with a jump.

Any ideas??

Oh yes my car is an '04 with 182k miles, 80k of which I've done, service history, doesn't use oil and has carried on doing what it says on the tin for the 5+years I've had it, until now.