Poor starting Volvo 2040

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XTE

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All of a sudden I am unable to start the engine on the first turn. After some time and increasing the accelerator, she will eventually start with a splutter and a cloud of smoke, and then smoke for some time.

I have done the basic checking the relay, which clicks, switching over the two relays, checking power to the lead running to the glow plugs connecting bar when the glow switch is held. Thus far no fault found. I am guessing that I may have one or more glow plugs burnt out, but would like to be sure before I start wondering how to replace them.

If it is the glow plugs, is changing them just like on a petrol engine?

Any expert advise would be greatly appreciated.
 
What type of petrol engine has glow plugs? (other than model aircraft)
You could test the glowplugs for continuity insitu to get an idea if they're shot or not.
Diesels are usually pretty simple. Must have compression, must have fuel. Did it run Ok after starting eventually?
Did this happen repeatedly?
When engine hot, did it then start easily?
How long did the smoke last?
 
XTE said:
All of a sudden I am unable to start the engine on the first turn. After some time and increasing the accelerator, she will eventually start with a splutter and a cloud of smoke, and then smoke for some time.

I have done the basic checking the relay, which clicks, switching over the two relays, checking power to the lead running to the glow plugs connecting bar when the glow switch is held. Thus far no fault found. I am guessing that I may have one or more glow plugs burnt out, but would like to be sure before I start wondering how to replace them.

If it is the glow plugs, is changing them just like on a petrol engine?

Any expert advise would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Pretty similar to changing a spark plug in a petrol engine. You may need to get a deep socket to fit.

If you have power getting to them Ok then switch off. Disconnect the wiring and check each for continuity . They have a very low resistance about 1.5 ohms (or a bit less when cold)

I check using a bulb on a couple of leads between each and battery positive but with the MD2040 I think the block is isolated from battery neg so you would also need a temporary connection from the block to battery negative.

If you find one or more burnt out then probably worth replacing them all .... but they are expensive. ( I bet if you can identify the correct ones they are a lot less as car spares........ but dont assume any that look the same are the same.)

http://www.keypart.com/stock/3583025

The manual at http://www.bluemoment.com/manuals/Volvo_Penta_MD2010-20-30-40.pdf gives the torque for tightening them.


If they not been removed from new they they will need a good grunt to undo them I expect.
 
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XTE said:
i just meant are they similar to spark plugs. Same type of socket spanner etc.

Continuity! That sounds like an easy test that i may be able to do. Cheers.
Click to expand...

10mm standard socket fits my current ones which look very similar

Previously I had to buy a deep socket, hence my earlier comment. (dont remember the size and cannot now find the socket )
 
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If your glow plugs have continuity, it could be your injectors are dirty. You can take them to a diesel specialist ( commercial not boat),and they will probably test them for free. The spray pattern needs to be good for decent combustion. This could explain the smoke.
Regards, Phil
 
Sounds exactly how my 2030 glow plugs went plit and didn't want to start easy. It was possible to feel warm glow plugs (when they were ok - and cold when not). I recall standard sockets pulled them out. Very easy.
 
oldvarnish said:
partially blocked exhaust?
Click to expand...

Is another posibility but it is something the OP says happened "all of a sudden".

He might find two of them gone. One he did not notice then when the second went its almost impossible to start
 
Yes, changing the glow plugs is just like changing spark plugs and they will probably be 12mm A/F, easiest and safest to use a deep socket or a tube spanner. A bit of Googling suggests that the most readily available equivalent is the NGK Y107R or 1229. I don't know where the cross reference originates so I guess it simply has to be taken on trust. Beware that there is also a Y107T which is rated at 8.5V, whereas the Y107R is rated 10.5V. The "T" variant is likely to burn out on its first start. Mind you, the post had the recommendation the other way round!

Other equivalents are given as -
Beru 0 100 226 382
Bosch 0 250 202 089
Delphi HDS 272

You should get any of these for around a tenner. So long as the body is correctly dimensioned, the worst that can happen is that they burn out. It could be well worthwhile pulling out one of the originals and seeing whether any of these part nos is stamped on them.

Rob.

Just found a reference to the Y107R plug failing as it is not self regulating - it requires a pulse feed to control the current, apparently. The Beru pt no is taken from some OEM parts when removed from the engine. Have found a supplier of an equivalent though -
http://www.yachtboatparts.com/glow-plugs-3583025-2541-p.asp
 
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VicS said:
Is another posibility but it is something the OP says happened "all of a sudden".

He might find two of them gone. One he did not notice then when the second went its almost impossible to start
Click to expand...
That is a possibility. She didn't start too well beforehand. Would fire up but then die unless they gave some revs. So maybe one plug was bad before and now two. Thank you.
 
Just small update to add to the collective on this. I had to change all 3 of the glowplugs on my 2040d, I ordered replacements from parts4engines. They are NGK glowplugs - the NGK part number is Y-107V which is a glowplug for "straight" supply (not pulsed). They can be had at considerable discount to the volvo offering with a bit of searching on the net - no surprise there then.
 
Before you replace, or even order, the glow plugs - check the relay (in the black plastic relay box on the side of the engine). They, the glow plug relay particularly, is/are prone to developing poor connection.

Take it out bend the pins a fraction, very little - do not get excited (nor upset) replace and try again.

The 2 relays are identical - and you can also swap them round. Simply moving them can develop a good connection, which might then 'fail' later.

Initially it can be an intermittent fault - and the become more permanent. Its been a problem on the MD series - and documented on these threads - somewhere.

Its a cheaper fix than new glowplugs - which should last forever, well almost.

Good luck

Jonathan
 
Just a thought but when my 2040 became difficult to start the problem turned out to diesel bug. The other symptom was occasional drop in revs when running normally. Checked the plugs and changed the relay before I found it.
 
It is worth checking the glow plugs, but it does sound like it may be getting air in the system while it's standing.

After some time and increasing the accelerator, she will eventually start with a splutter and a cloud of smoke, and then smoke for some time.
Click to expand...

She didn't start too well beforehand. Would fire up but then die unless they gave some revs.
Click to expand...
 
XTE said:
That is a possibility. She didn't start too well beforehand. Would fire up but then die unless they gave some revs. So maybe one plug was bad before and now two. Thank you.
Click to expand...

'The didn't start too well', could be glowplugs (or blocked/choked exhaust) - but then die - sounds like a different issue (blocked exhaust?, air in system, poor fuel flow) but checking glow plugs is simple and cheap, checking exhaust needs a bit more effort - but is also simple and cheap - unless you need to replace something and then, sadly its simple and more expensive :(

More good luck

Jonathan
 
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