I have a 2009 2.0tdci S-max and I'm having problems starting it
I've replaced the battery at the advice of an RAC man as the when he tested it, it was showing a good drop in power, he said that should stop the problem as the car was cranking over slower than it should be.
But the problem still hasn't gone away.
I'm thinking it may be a fuel delivery problem and someone has mentioned it could be swirl valves? or the dual mass flywheel.
one it's started it runs like a dream but starting it is a night mare.
It's going to my local mechanic tomorrow to have the diagnostic check done but if anyone has had problems like this before I'd be very grateful.
Thanks in advance.
------------- Never argue with an Idiot, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!!!!
Grampian, I have to start my car every morning using the glow plugs even in the summer, but when I forget and try to start it without no chance, but using them drains the battery which will produce a lethargic wh wh wh noise! yes its starts but.............. only just! and boy cant you tell the difference when they get changed
Difficult to diagnose on a forum. If its cranking slowly & taking a lot out of the battery it does suggest a faulty starter. With this sort of problem it might be most economical to take it to a Ford workshop who will have specific software to diagnose.
Quote: Originally posted by kazo2014 on 17/2/2015
Grampian, I have to start my car every morning using the glow plugs even in the summer, but when I forget and try to start it without no chance, but using them drains the battery which will produce a lethargic wh wh wh noise! yes its starts but.............. only just! and boy cant you tell the difference when they get changed
Was your engine designed in the 1970's?
Modern diesels have a higher compression ratio and will start without the glowplugs.
Most common rail diesels will start exactly the same without them down to very low temperatures.
Dads old Pajero will start without them but smokes for a few seconds. When he uses the glowplugs there is no smoke.
The car maybe 1996 but when was the original engine designed?
Some basic engine designs date back the the ARK. The old puhrod lump in the KA's and Fiesta's spring to mind. Basically the same lump that they fitted to the Ford Anglia.
Your older engine will be a low stress one. It will plod for many a mile, But compared to the newer stuff it be be slow and heavy.
But when ther update the engines to common rail it seems to just add £££ to the repair bill.
Just got it back from the garage, glow plugs are fine
nothing showed up on the diagnostic tester.
But the fuel filter had become deformed. The mechanic said this was a common problem with the s-max's. it allows air into the system and won't allow it to start.
£40 job done, car starts so I'm a happy bunny
------------- Never argue with an Idiot, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!!!!
My best friend is a trading standards officer in County Durham and has given me the following information.
The diesel used by petrol stations is the same for the supermarket as it is for the branded stations, they all have the same amount of Bio diesel, which is the problem for cars, it's more viscous than normal diesel and picks up the dirt and transfers it down the line into your engine.
The difference between the stations is that when a branded station has a delivery they add a chemical additive pack to the fuels. which helps keep things cleaner. adding a fuel additive to your tank every now and then helps, but it only costs more in the long rung to add redex or wynns to your tank every 4-5 tankings
------------- Never argue with an Idiot, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!!!!
I use supermarket fuels al the time! I run a gas guzzler of a car, does 18 mpg when towing at best! I never use the likes of redex in the car or feel the need to do so, never had a problem with the fuel filter getting clogged up, or deformed for that matter, I suggest that when your filter was fitted previously it was either fitted incorrectly or you had a bad one used rather than blaming the fuel itself
Yeah agree, the branded and supermarket tankers fill up from the same tank at the refineries. Same stuff, just the additives that the branded add later (some add them to the tanker at the refinery I believe as they are filling
------------- Nick
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Topic: 2009 Smax starting problems
