Glow plugs

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   This morning the temperature was down to -8. The glowplug light only came on for a few seconds before going out and when I turned the starter the engine barely fired. Second attempt engine fired but cut out as soon as I released the starter. Third time engine fired but I had to give it some gas to keep it running. Is there any way to increase the preheat time or is there a fault in the glowplug relay?  If the engine hadn't started on the third attempt I was considering the old school method of holding a burning newspaper to the air intake.
If there is a fault in the relay would it show a code on an obd reader?  

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Harrymac Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Tekna Joined: 18 Sep 2016 Location: Ayrshire Status: Offline Points: 32	Post Options Post Reply Quote Harrymac Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Glow plugs Posted: 12 Dec 2017 at 8:13pm
	This morning the temperature was down to -8. The glowplug light only came on for a few seconds before going out and when I turned the starter the engine barely fired. Second attempt engine fired but cut out as soon as I released the starter. Third time engine fired but I had to give it some gas to keep it running. Is there any way to increase the preheat time or is there a fault in the glowplug relay? If the engine hadn't started on the third attempt I was considering the old school method of holding a burning newspaper to the air intake. If there is a fault in the relay would it show a code on an obd reader?

Targetmark Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Tekna Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire Status: Offline Points: 125	Post Options Post Reply Quote Targetmark Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 2017 at 8:11pm
	It sounds like one of your glow plugs is past its best. Had the same problem last winter, had plugs changed. No promblems even with the recent bad weather. Hope this helps.
	Now I like driving.

Harrymac Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Tekna Joined: 18 Sep 2016 Location: Ayrshire Status: Offline Points: 32	Post Options Post Reply Quote Harrymac Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Dec 2017 at 11:48pm
	Have ordered ODB scanner and app for my phone so will run tests at the weekend. Only done 36,000 miles so suspect more likely to be control unit / relay.

chrisw99 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Tekna Joined: 16 Jan 2013 Location: Cheshire Status: Offline Points: 884	Post Options Post Reply Quote chrisw99 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 1:53pm
	My J10 was similar, OBD threw up a glow plug/circuit error. I replaced the relay unit as it was cheap and easy to do, but it made no difference so I assume it was the glow plugs themselves that needed changing. Lived with it after that as I was quoted £200+ to have them changed.
	QQ3: 2014 1.2 dig-T ntec+ gunmetal grey QQ2: 2013 CVT 360 silver QQ1: 2009 1.5dci n-tec fired iron

zh875 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Tekna Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Location: Uk Status: Offline Points: 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote zh875 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 2017 at 10:11am
	Sounds more like a fuel problem. If a diesel engine fires then it is quite able to continue firing after the start key is released due to compression. If diesel fuel gets too cold it goes 'waxy' and doesn't flow or vapourise very well. Try adding a small amount of Kerosene to the diesel to prevent it going waxy.