Maintenance | Q&A | Fuel Consumption | Forum
Ive got one more problem though that you might be able to help with. When starting my 306 from cold, it blows out a lot of white smoke and runs rough for a minute or so. Any ideas what this might be (i've checked the glow plugs and they seem to be fine). The dealer I bought it from say all old diesels do it and nothing can be done, but i reckonn they're pulling a fast one. Any ideas???
It sounds like classic glow plug problems but you have got me thinking about 'White' smoke. Normally if its glow plug problems you just get more of a black smoke coming out because this is the unburnt diesel which didn't get combusted in the cylinder with the faulty glowplug.
Does the car run fine after the initial few minutes? If so I really do think it sounds like glow plug problems. How did you check them? I've never found a diesel which throws out smoke if it's running ok. Of course the guy who sold you the car might tell you otherwise! Get the glow plugs changed. You can do it yourself but it's a bit fiddly - so increase the chances that you won't have to do it again by fitting quality glow plugs. I put in some Bosch ones. I think 4 were no more than £50.
I have a similar problem with the glow plugs and likewise have found access to the one on the far left difficult. Do you have any tips/advice on getting to this item, before I remove the fuel pump.
Gee - taking the fuel pump out to replace the glow plugs sounds a bit drastic. I certainly didn't need to do that. The one on the far left is ticky to get at but I'm trying to remember how I did it.
I certainly removed a few hoses and I think I bought a ring spanner with an extra long shaft. I think that was about it though. It was a time-consuming job because I remember only being able to turn the plug a millimeter at a time but eventually it becomes easier and eventually it comes out - and what a feeling - particularily if that's the one that's really black and obviously the duffer.
Had a new battery fitted today and friend fitted a brand new starter motor 4 days ago. The car is still not starting or turning over just clicking the only way we are starting the pug is with the aid of 1 of the jump leads connecting from battery to the starter motor with a long screwdriver. Boyfriend thought the chap hadnt loobed the starter motor before putting it in so we have took it out and wd40'd it. Still no luck
Sounds like it must be a faulty connection somewhere. Maybe the damp weather has got in. I'd recommend you clean the battery terminal connections and also the starter motor connections and also, any earth connections. Starter motors take a lot of current and their connections can often fail where lower-demanding circuits can manage.
I was wondering if you can give me any advise on how to change the glow plugs on my 306 xrtd. I have had a quick look and access is very limited to say the least. I don't currently have a haynes manual on the car so I am working a bit blind. Do i have to remove any items such as the intercooler to make it easier, or is it just a case of having the correct tools? Any advise would be greatly appreciated as the car is getting harder to start now in this cold weather!
Replacing the glow plugs on a 306 dt is not really too difficult but the left most one (when looking from the front) is behind the fuel pump and is tricky. I had to dash out and get a particularily long spanner (from Halfords - not expensive). From memory I believe you do have to remove the intercooler to improve access although this is not tricky. I also remember removing a few hoses just to make life a little easier but you might not have to.
Don't be tempted to leave the left most plug because its more difficult to remove - I found that was the one which was causing my cold-start problems. Also, the general advice is don't buy cheap glow plugs because apparently they don't last very long at all. I think I got Bosch ones and I think they might have only cost about £30 for 4 and so that's not so expensive.
My Haynes manual says:
Removal: Warning that glow plugs will be hot if they have
been energised or engine has been running recently.
1. Disconnect battery negative lead. To improve access,
on turbo models remove the intercooler, and on non-turbo
models with D9B engine remove the air distribution
housing. If necessary, also remove the intake duct, and
disconnect the breather hose from the engine oil filler
tube.
2. Unscrew the nut from the relevant glow plug
terminal(s), and recover the washer(s). Note that the
main supply cable is connected to Number 1 cylinder glow
plug and an interconnecting wire is fitted between the
four plugs
3. Where applicable, carefully move any obstructing pipes
or wires to one side to enable access to the relevant
glow plug(s).
4. Unscrew the glow plug(s) and remove from the cylinder
head.
Inspection: Inspect each glow plug for physical damage. Burnt or eroded glow plug tips can be caused by a bad injector spray pattern. Have the injectors checked if this sort of damage is found. [What you will usually find if you have been experiencing starting problems caused by one faulty glow plug is that, one plug will be a lot blacker than the others. Whilst you could just replace this plug, for all the effort you might as well put in 4 new plugs]
Refitting: Apply a smear of copper-based anti-seize compound to the plug threads and tighten the glow plugs to the specified torque [22Nm/16 lbf ft]. Do not overtighten, as this can damage the glow plug element. [I didn't bother with the anti-seize compound or a torque wrench]
