Glow plugs?

Without detracting from other practical advice given by earlier commentators
I've had intermittent trouble starting my diesel TD4 Freelander 2
"To make it worse"
Run the engine for a short time only during a winter period - such as, had to move it and park it again, twice.
When running perfectly, one presses the start button, and there's a pause while the glow plugs warm up, then the engine ticks over. If it's a bad morning (we had -4C last night) then it will turn over endlessly and blow white diesel vapour until it starts on the third try or so. Not good.
Or:
Turn the ignition on and leave it - put something in the boot or do your hair or something that takes maybe a minute - then(!) press start - and chances are, it will start as per normal.
The extra time just gives the glow plugs a bit more time to warm up the combustion chamber as well as an ignition point.
Works for me and my much loved FL2!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phideaux

Without detracting from other practical advice given by earlier commentators
I've had intermittent trouble starting my diesel TD4 Freelander 2
"To make it worse"
Run the engine for a short time only during a winter period - such as, had to move it and park it again, twice.
When running perfectly, one presses the start button, and there's a pause while the glow plugs warm up, then the engine ticks over. If it's a bad morning (we had -4C last night) then it will turn over endlessly and blow white diesel vapour until it starts on the third try or so. Not good.
Or:
Turn the ignition on and leave it - put something in the boot or do your hair or something that takes maybe a minute - then(!) press start - and chances are, it will start as per normal.
The extra time just gives the glow plugs a bit more time to warm up the combustion chamber as well as an ignition point.
Works for me and my much loved FL2!

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It might work, but.... I am literally down the road from this car, less than 80m. I get in and turn on the engine and it starts, yes a TD5 D2. The only difference for me in the cold, 8C, is the oil pressure light takes 0.5 seconds longer to turn off and the glow plug light is on for 3 seconds, not 1 second.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phideaux

Without detracting from other practical advice given by earlier commentators
I've had intermittent trouble starting my diesel TD4 Freelander 2
"To make it worse"
Run the engine for a short time only during a winter period - such as, had to move it and park it again, twice.
When running perfectly, one presses the start button, and there's a pause while the glow plugs warm up, then the engine ticks over. If it's a bad morning (we had -4C last night) then it will turn over endlessly and blow white diesel vapour until it starts on the third try or so. Not good.
Or:
Turn the ignition on and leave it - put something in the boot or do your hair or something that takes maybe a minute - then(!) press start - and chances are, it will start as per normal.
The extra time just gives the glow plugs a bit more time to warm up the combustion chamber as well as an ignition point.
Works for me and my much loved FL2!

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It's not the glow plugs.

And the TD5 is a lot different to the TD4.

Having said that, we live in one of the coldest places in the state, and our Freelander does not need that start sequence, you may need to look into why yours does.

Cheers
James