mk6 van starting

[james08]

got a diesel van, non turbo, every time i go to start the van it has to turn over a few times before firing, it could turn over for 5 seconds before it starts, once warm its fine itll start (very rarely it gets warm as its not on the road yet so its just in and out of the workshop)

 

any ideas on whats causing it?

[Ahmotorsport]

How old are the glow plugs? Do you wait for the glow plug light on the dash to go out? Edited October 5, 2012 by Ahmotorsport

[james08]

no idea how old, van is a 51 so could be as old, yes i do been starting like that since i got the van a few weeks ago

[Ahmotorsport]

Might be worth getting them out and checking the resistance, or just replace them.

 

Do you know the service history of the van? Might be worth doing the lot.

[james08]

not a clue on service history either, was £200 and overall good condition so couldnt really complain on no history, my plan was a service before putting it on the road in a few weeks so ill add those to the to do list too, its also leaking from the timing belt area which i suspect to be water pump even though the belt was only done 20k ago but from what ive been told the previous owner didnt like spending money (even though he drives a new jag xj) so he probably never did the pump with the belt so i need to do that too