Car won't start!

Fuel problem ?

Tend to agree with Footloose.
Filter primed? Loose/cracked fuel lines (sucking air)?

........sounds like a job for Roachie

They have to reach a certain amount of revs on the starter motor to start especially when cold.
They definately won't start when cold without the glowplugs, but if at least 3 or 4 are working and the engine can be turned over fast enough it should start.
A few things to check:1/ Fuel at the injection pump, loosen the incoming line from the fuel lift pump (does it have an electric lift pump or mechanical ?), fuel should leak out straight away if it has an electric pump and the ignition is on, no fuel supplied till the engine is turning over with a mechanical pump.
2/ Power to the stop solenoid (on top of injection pump) should be there when ignition is on, check that solenoid operates, you should hear a click when the ignition is turned on.
3/ check power supplied with either a testlamp or multimeter at one of the glowplug leads when ignition is turned on and glow cycle begins.
4/ Actual glowplugs ok? check by unplugging the leads to plugs and either a multimeter (continuity to ground/engine) the glowplugs go open circuit when blown.
It is easier with a test lamp, wire connected to positive battery, test plug by placing probe on connector on top of plug with leads disconnected, light on plug ok, light off plug blown.
As I said earlier it should start with at least 3 or 4 functioning unless it is really cold but will run rough and chuck out a bit of smoke initially.

I'm printing all this and taking it out for him to read....

He checked everything on the list, all was aok. Battery finished charging and it started.

Not sure then, battery issue perhaps due to doing some short runs. He did try to jump start by connecting to the 100% charged auxilliary as well though (this morning). And yesterday it didn't start after fully charging the battery - which was when he replaced the glow plugs with a new set he had as spare.

But everything else on the list checked out.

We'll speak to the bloke where we got the engine done on Tue to try & figure out the issue.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Are you doing the ground work for Roachie??

Sounds like he's to scared to tell us that his Chevnissan in the disguise of an 80 Series wont start again. LOL

Kev

Was on a trip with one of those in the party. It just ran out of power and stopped dead. Tried most things wouldnt start. Turned out to be a dodgy immobiliser, part of it had stopped the fuel pump from doing its thing. If you have an intermittent fault, may be worth looking at.

Hope all is well.

Col

Well just an update, had the starter motor solenoid replaced and then the starter motor. Also got a new alternator.

The starter motor did go the first time but seems that the plug in the back of the alternator was a bit loose too which probably didn't help.

Next we're looking at getting a higher CCA battery as a starter or putting a second one under the bonnet like Roachie has done.
It will probably be the two orbitals for now and if we just want one starter battery seems like an Optima is the only other with higher CCA than 750 that would fit under the bonnet in the current holder.

No problems starting in the last week or so, hopefully it continues.