306 difficult starting.

I have a 95 306 Diesel Turbo and are experiencing
problems starting it up. It will start easily first turn usually unless
I leave it for 2-3 days without starting it. I have changed
the glow plugs, battery and fuel filters very recently so the
usual suspects can be ruled out. A mechanically minded
person I consulted seemed to think that it was sucking air.

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and knows
what it is? If so I would be very grateful as I am sick of getting
the jump leads out onto my spare battery!

Thanks in advance.

Konichiwa

 

does it start if you use jump leads?...if so it just sounds like your
battery may be weak, even if it is a new one make sure it is fully charged,
and that the alternator is working correctly to keep it fully charged...also
if you say its worse after a few days then you may have a problem somewhere
that is slowly draining the battery....if you have a multimeter you can
check this...
also, again if you have a multimeter, check that the glow plugs are working
correctly, you may have a problem with the glow plug relay.

 

Thanks, I will check the current use and alternator.
I have suspected the glow plug relay before and
checked that voltage was reaching the plugs but I am
concerned that the relay may be fouled and not supplying
the high currents required correctly. I would check this
but my multimeter would definitely burn out!

The thing is I don't know where the glow plug relay is and would appreciate
a point in the
right direction. I will then just replace it to help the process of
elimination.

Thanks

 

why would your multimeter burn out, there will only be 12volts (or
thereabouts) at the glow plugs..just hold your multimeter on any one of the
glow plug wires while someone turns your ignition on....you should get
voltage for approx 5 seconds...

 

I know how to test if there is voltage present at the plugs, I was referring
to a current test where I would have to disconnect the glow plug feed and
introduce the multimeter to complete the circuit and see how much current
is being drawn (and supplied). If I am not mistaken the glow plugs draw
about 12 amps each depending on temperature and all four would draw
about 48 amps, which is not insubstantial. This would have to flow through
the multimeter (which is fused at 10amps) to measure it, hence blowing it.

This test would determine if the relay was fouled and supplying voltage
but because of increased resistance at the contacts doesn't supply enough
current through it.

I only need to know where the relay is and I don't have a Haynes to find
out where it is, so any help in telling me where to look would be great.

Thanks in advance

Konichiwa