Starting Problem 2.0 Tdci

[rhoderunner]

Hi, this is my first post, I have a Mk3 Galaxy 2.0 Tdci Ghia (September 2006) I have had the car since December 2010. Over the last couple of weeks (four times) it has failed to start, turns over normally, seems like it starts then immediately expires. It starts eventually maybe after 10-15 times of trying. When it does start there is quite a lot of grey/white smoke at the rear. I thought it might have been the immobiliser at first, but the car wouldn't have started if that was the case I suppose. Could it be fuel filter, air leak or fuel starvation problems? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ian

[buford_t_justice]

Hi, this is my first post, I have a Mk3 Galaxy 2.0 Tdci Ghia (September 2006) I have had the car since December 2010. Over the last couple of weeks (four times) it has failed to start, turns over normally, seems like it starts then immediately expires. It starts eventually maybe after 10-15 times of trying. When it does start there is quite a lot of grey/white smoke at the rear. I thought it might have been the immobiliser at first, but the car wouldn't have started if that was the case I suppose. Could it be fuel filter, air leak or fuel starvation problems? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ian

 

What's the service history of your car?

 

Could be the glow plugs but then again could be lots of things!

[fankle]

Hi, this is my first post, I have a Mk3 Galaxy 2.0 Tdci Ghia (September 2006) I have had the car since December 2010. Over the last couple of weeks (four times) it has failed to start, turns over normally, seems like it starts then immediately expires. It starts eventually maybe after 10-15 times of trying. When it does start there is quite a lot of grey/white smoke at the rear. I thought it might have been the immobiliser at first, but the car wouldn't have started if that was the case I suppose. Could it be fuel filter, air leak or fuel starvation problems? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ian

I have come across 2 faults which match your simptoms. first the egr valve sticks, this is at the rear right side of the cylinderhead when looking under

the bonnet. not easy to get at. the second is the throttle housing at the front of the engine. it is of plastic construction and has a butterfly or

"choke" flap inside. these can stick shut preventing air from entering the inlet manifold but the injectors are still firing fuel in, hence the smoke

when it does start. cleaning these units only lasts a wee while. they usually need to be replaced. If it happens again you could remove the air pipe

going to the throttle housing and operate the flap with your finger, it should move smoothly against spring pressure, if at first you feel it stuck

closed you should replace it.

Hope this helps.

Fankle.

[millyd]

Hi,

 

I just ran into an almost exact match of this problem with my 07' 2.0 petrol Mk3. 47K, FFSH and serviced in Nov 11'. Did a 300 mile round trip at Xmas, left the car on drive for about 48 hours before heading off on next 1000 mile trip and it wouldn't start. It was trying to but just not firing up. It did start after 5th or 6th attempt and then puffing a lot of white smoke. Smoking stopped after 5 mins or so and the rest of the trip was fine. There have been a few times since when it has not fired up instantly (like usual) but nothing like this one off event.

 

Dropped into a dealer to describe what had happened and they looked at me blankly. Said they would need to do a diagnostic but the only guy who could do it was off until after Xmas. Oh, and it would cost me 60 quid even if it turned up nothing on what the problem was/is.

 

Was there any solution for you rhoderunner?

 

Could those problems you describe Fankle also apply to the 2.0 petrol?

[Harbuckle]

I would put my money on the throttle flap. next time it does not start investigate if it is sticking. Not sure how expensive it is to buy.