Volvo C30 2.0D Diesel STARTING ISSUE

[lucas7]

Hi all,

I have a 2007 Volvo C30 2.0 Diesel with 75000 miles on the clock and FSH. Over the last few weeks especially its becoming more and more difficult and taking longer and longer in the mornings for it to start. When its colder it takes longer, but once started there are no issues with starting it again or no running issues what so ever.

I've just cleaned out the Throttle Body which was all gunky, and no change. What could it be?

Glow plugs?
Battery?

Thanks in advance,

Lucas

[SonyVaio]

Chances are there is air getting in to the system and allowing fuel to return to the tank. I'd check leak off pipes and fuel filter housing. You should have a clear section of fuel line in the engine bay, look at this to see if there is a big air bubble/gap with the fuel.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by lucas7

Hi all,

I have a 2007 Volvo C30 2.0 Diesel with 75000 miles on the clock and FSH. Over the last few weeks especially its becoming more and more difficult and taking longer and longer in the mornings for it to start. When its colder it takes longer, but once started there are no issues with starting it again or no running issues what so ever.

I've just cleaned out the Throttle Body which was all gunky, and no change. What could it be?

Glow plugs?
Battery?

Thanks in advance,

Lucas

How old is the battery ??

Try seeing if it starts better when jump started using another battery etc. If it does then odds on you need a new one, unless there is a lose connection.

Most OEM Volvo batteries are good for around 10 years in the case of older Volvo cars or perhaps 5 years for newer cars, as they stopped using marine batteries some years ago.

Glow plugs are easy to check as the resistance across one should be around the 1 ohm mark, not the several thousand a duff one will read. It's possible to get the relay fail, but fairly rare.

If you get air into the system from bad fuel filter seals (Most dodgy garages don't seem to change them when doing the fuel filter), the engine will start OK, BUT quit when you lift off the go pedal at some point.
A dirty fuel filter or water can cause start troubles, but you will also get a wandering RPM when running.

[lucas7]

Forgive my naivety but where where is the location of the fuel filter housing/fuel lines? I'm looking but im unable to see anything that relates to a viewing point/bubble?

Lucas

[lucas7]

Originally Posted by skyship007

How old is the battery ??

Try seeing if it starts better when jump started using another battery etc. If it does then odds on you need a new one, unless there is a lose connection.

Most OEM Volvo batteries are good for around 10 years in the case of older Volvo cars or perhaps 5 years for newer cars, as they stopped using marine batteries some years ago.

Glow plugs are easy to check as the resistance across one should be around the 1 ohm mark, not the several thousand a duff one will read. It's possible to get the relay fail, but fairly rare.

If you get air into the system from bad fuel filter seals (Most dodgy garages don't seem to change them when doing the fuel filter), the engine will start OK, BUT quit when you lift off the go pedal at some point.
A dirty fuel filter or water can cause start troubles, but you will also get a wandering RPM when running.

Hi Skyship,

Thanks for the reply. Not sure how old the battery is but its from Eurocarparts so it's not the original. Ill find some jump leads and give it a go to see if it starts any better.

When lifting off the pedal the engine doesnt die at all, and also there doesnt seem to be any wandering RPM.

How would I check if there's air in the system?

Lucas

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by lucas7

Forgive my naivety but where where is the location of the fuel filter housing/fuel lines? I'm looking but im unable to see anything that relates to a viewing point/bubble?

Lucas

Google it, as I'm not familiar with this engine installation. Most diesel filters are either under the main fuse box (It will need lifting up) or the air filter housing. The V50 2.0d even needs a special tool.

[skyship007]

Originally Posted by lucas7

Hi Skyship,

Thanks for the reply. Not sure how old the battery is but its from Eurocarparts so it's not the original. Ill find some jump leads and give it a go to see if it starts any better.

When lifting off the pedal the engine doesnt die at all, and also there doesnt seem to be any wandering RPM.

How would I check if there's air in the system?

Lucas

It does not sound like air to me, but if it is, odds on one of the fuel filter seals that are included with most fuel filters has split.

Try testing the battery first, as Europarts are not exactly a top notch battery supplier and diesel engines are real fussy about cold cranking amps rating (Often just listed as A for amps).

If it's not the battery or fuel filter (Should be drained every oil change and changed on condition, but at least every cam service), it might be best to get the hidden fault codes read, just in case it's something like the fuel pressure regulator.

This might be where the fuel filter is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96qlOxxmRuQ
BUT that's T5 engine in a C30.

[lucas7]

Thanks guys,

Ill get on it over the next day or so and update.

Lucas