Ask an expert


Anon

My 1999 Ford Galaxy TDi runs fine and starts great when cold.

When the engine starts to warm up however or is hot, it takes a good 10-15 seconds of turning over before it starts.

It's the same if I switch off and try to re-start straight away when the engine is warm or hot.

Mark

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

jbiddle

This could be a major problem.

Quite often when a diesel is hard to start in circumstances such as you are describing, it is because there is a lack of compression in the cylinders.

Diesels rely on compression ignition so if there is a drop in compression, the engine will become hard to start.

This scenario is normally highlighted more when the engine has warmed up.

You need to get the vehicle to a diesel specialist so a compression test can be carried out.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, hopefully I'm wrong.