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Diesel hard to start.

  • 17-02-2026 08:35PM
    #1
    CD-WOW
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26 ✭


    I have a 2006 Jeep Cherokee 2.8 diesel. Lately it has become hard started, taking 15 to 20 seconds of cranking before it comes to life.

    Any ideas?



Comments

  • #2
    knickerbocker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 239 ✭✭knickerbocker


    Glow plugs would be the obvious culprit here, and the colder weather doesn't help.



  • #3
    CD-WOW
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26 ✭CD-WOW


    Weather is not making a difference. Does it if the temp is 15C or 0 degrees.



  • #4
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,014 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    I had this symptom on a couple of cars. One was due to a loose camshaft position sensor. The other was due to air in a fuel line due to a pin hole.



  • #5
    9935452
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,142 ✭✭✭9935452


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124244106#Comment_124244106

    Some engines do need heat from glow plugs to start. Brother had a mk2 diesel golf. If it blew the fuse for the glow plugs it wouldnt start. Bit of heat and off it would go. Some yanmar engines are the same. Need heat or wont start



  • #6
    Buffman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,431 ✭✭✭Buffman


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058432828/diesel-hard-to-start

    Does it do this every start or only when cold? So say if you do a spin and switch it off and then on again will it crank for the 20 seconds or start immediately?

    The below is a general 'signature' and not part of any post:

    FYI, if you move to a 'smart' meter electricity plan, you CAN'T move back to a non-smart plan.

    You don't have to take a 'smart' meter if you don't want one, opt-out is available.

    Buy drinks in 3L or bigger plastic bottles or glass bottles or cartons to avoid the DRS fee.

    Public transport user? If you're sick of phantom ghost services on the 'official' RTI sources, check bustimes.org for actual 'real' RTI, if it's on their map it actually exists.



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  • #7
    greasepalm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,287 ✭✭✭greasepalm


    I would also ask if engine turns over very quickly or slow due to a failing battery as cold weather brings it down



  • #8
    CD-WOW
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26 ✭CD-WOW


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124244736#Comment_124244736

    It will start after 5 secs of cranking.



  • #9
    Buffman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,431 ✭✭✭Buffman


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124245316#Comment_124245316

    99.9% likely to be glow plugs then.

    The below is a general 'signature' and not part of any post:

    FYI, if you move to a 'smart' meter electricity plan, you CAN'T move back to a non-smart plan.

    You don't have to take a 'smart' meter if you don't want one, opt-out is available.

    Buy drinks in 3L or bigger plastic bottles or glass bottles or cartons to avoid the DRS fee.

    Public transport user? If you're sick of phantom ghost services on the 'official' RTI sources, check bustimes.org for actual 'real' RTI, if it's on their map it actually exists.



  • #10
    John.G
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,916 ✭✭✭John.G


    Easy enough to check the glow plugs except difficult to access. Pull the wiring off each one in turn and with a multimeter set to its lowest resistance scale, 0 to 200ohms?, probe between the top of the glowplug and earth, should read ~ 1 or 2 ohms, if open circuit, glow plug failed.



  • #11
    CD-WOW
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26 ✭CD-WOW


    Wasn't the glow plugs at all. Turns out that 2 of the injectors were leaking resulting in a loss of compression and the leakage of exhaust gasses into the cabin.



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