Vito 108D cold start problems

[Shawnus]

Hey, I've been browsing this site for a while for advice but finally built up the courage to consult the MB pro's.

I recently had my engine replaced due to piston ring breakage. A fried of a friend did the job and the car runs beautifully now. Only problem..starting from cold. It seems to struggle, turning over for 5 seconds or so before it kicks in. I'm consulting the mechanic but thought I would see what other people thought.

When it starts it's fine, and I have left it for an hour after taking it for a drive and it started up again fine as well.

I did notice the glow plug light isn't coming on at all so I was thinking about replacing those. I'm picking up a can of easy start in case I get stuck but maybe it's just bedding in the new engine?

I am a complete van novice - to the point that when i lift the bonnet I only know where fluids go and that is it. Is there a haynes manual equivalent?

Thanks guys (and gals).

 

[Danny DeVito]

Does the glow plug light come when all the other dash lights self test at key on ? The glow plug relay is beside the passenger side headlight. Its big and black rectangular shaped. Use a multimeter to test for power coming in. Or maybe just listen for the relay to switch on when the key is turned. Dont replace plugs until you figure out if the relay works. Sounds like it does not work at all. Maybe a fuse ?

 

[BlackC55]

You either have an air leak in the fuel system, or an injector is leaking off

 

[Shawnus]

Hi
Thanks for the reply. When I started it last night (two tries) I noticed the glow plug light isn't coming on at all. I will try the multimeter later.

 

[Shawnus]

hey, sorry slow reply. took a multimeter and checked the relay, it's getting voltage. checked ohms on glow plug and get about 1ohm. still no light on the dash though. does anyone have any other suggestions I can try out do I need to bite the bullet and take it to a pro?

 

[Danny DeVito]

Check the output too of course. 12v to the plugs. The dash bulb should light up for selftest when key is turned on

 

[Shawnus]

Ok - so with the key turned on I tested and there was 7v on each of the output prongs that go to the plugs. When I took the glow plug socket out of the relay to test them the glow plug dash bulb came on...then when I plugged the socket back in it went off again!

 

[Shawnus]

I never added the solution here - if anyone else read this for guidance, I replaced the relay (£35) and then it worked fine. Been 4 months so far without incident.