306 Diesel starting issues

Hi,

I traded in my old 306 1.6i XT for a 306 DTurbo yesterday, and this morning
it wouldn't start.

I remembered to wait for the preheat light to go out, and it just turned
over and over. I eventually gave the manual pump a few squeezes and tried
again and it started pretty much ok. I think it may be connected to air in
the fuel system, as the car has been stood around a while and has had pretty
much zero use for a few months.

If it is air in the system, will it eventually work it's way out or does it
need to be bled? I looked in the Haynes book about bleeding, but am not
certain which is the actual bleed screw. My best guess at the moment is a
large nut with what looks like a grease nipple and a smaller nut on it. Oh,
it's a 1998 S reg, and it looks like the lucas pump.

Thanks,

Martin.

 

have you checked the glow plugs (heater plugs), they can burn out but the
glow plug lamp will still illuminate. you dont need to remove them to check
they are ok. you will however need to undo the wires connected to them. then
simply check for continuity between the terminal where the wire sits and the
shaft of the plug.
you can also use a test lamp, connect one end to the battery +ve terminal
and the other to the plug again where the wire would be connected. if it
lights up the plug is fine.
you should also check that you have voltage at the plugs while the preheat
lamp is on.


as far as the fuel is concerned it shouldnt need bleeding if you havent done
anything since the last time it ran, unless you have a leak in the system in
which case it should be evident.

 

If the engine started after using the primer bulb you will have removed
any air . If the heater plugs or control relay are suspect you might try
switching on the ignition and wait until the pre-heat lamp goes out then
repeat this process two more times before attempting to start.. This will
show if your problem is electrical or fuel related. Also check for any fuel
leaks. Even a slight leak can allow air to enter the system.
KF