When I want to start it for the first time, it turns over and over and over until it finally "ignites" and starts.
During the rest of the day it starts normaly.

It isn't that cold here so I don't think it's because of temperature. It's in a garage overnight.


2009 TD4_e with 160000kms and dealer maintauned.

Any ideas? Can't be good for the battery...

glowwplugs?

Would I not have the problem then when the engine is cold again later in the day?
And when it isn't so cold outside, does the engine not have enough compression to ignite without?
Does it pre-heat with the glowplugs before the startmotor starts turning with a bit of a wait. Seem to remember that, but I don't think it's cold enough for that.

I was thinking the same, but I kinda doubt that. Especially because if just one would work ok, it would start faster I think.

At the end of the day it will be a job for my dealer, but before they replace all the expensive glowplugs, which can go wrong, I'd like to make sure it's not something else.

Could be an air lock in the fuel filter, maybe worth a bleed or a change of the filter, it might be clogged slightly. If it's blocked or air in system then it may take a few cranks before getting fuel.

Also, if the EGR system is not 100%, or slow to respond then that makes the engine difficult to start first time. Likewise the throttle body slow to respond.

Glow plu heating is automatic a before engine starts. If it wants to heat the plugs, it will pause after you press the button before cranking.

No pauze so it's not the plugs.

As it is as if the engine is starved of fuel, the air lock seems credible.
Is it easy to bleed? How do I do that?

If the engine coughs and splutters during the protracted start then it could be glow plugs; if it doesn't splutter during the protracted start then its more likely to be fuel related. Changing the fuel filter is a simple start for which there is plenty of information on the forum; blocked fuel filters is a common problem on many diesels as they are often forgotten at the service and always cost extra money as an add on option.
The glow plugs come on automatically at every start and stay on a short while as the engine starts. if its really cold then as indicated the engine starter motor will have a delayed start before the electric to it is connected. the problem with Glow plugs is that with the engine mechanical and electrical design is that there is now way of testing them easily, it makes more sense to remove them for checking on the battery so you can see visibly if it glows or not at the tip. Here again there is plenty of information on this Forum.
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kind regards from Fred 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

You need a fuel pump primer tool to bled the filter. A google search will show you what it looks like.

Its basically a 1-way suction device. When you squeeze and release it, it will suck fuel through it and push it out the other end.

When I fit a new fuel filter, I connect up the pipes other than the one going from the filter into the engine. I then use some fuel pipe to go from the filter to the tool, and then from the tool into a jar to collect the fuel. I then squeeze the release the pump and it will draw fuel through the filter to fill it up, and then through the primer tool and into the jar. I then keep drawing fuel until I see that the fuel going into the jar is clear from air ( or at least large bubbles )

Once thats done, I know the filter is full and then I just disconnect the primer tool and reconnect the pipe running from the filter to the engine.

First time it starts may take a few cranks, but after that it starts first time every time.

Thx, but reading all this and the fact I'm not that technical I don't yet have the balls to do this myself.
Seems to me I can do more harm then the cost to have it done would justify. A fuel filter doesn't seem that expensive and a garage would not spend that much time doing it.
Will try to watch it being done so I can learn something. Seems to me an easy enough job if one has been shown how before.

The best solution is to connect the suction pump to the inlet of the filter. That way you filter everything that goes into the engine. Maybe there are some small particles in the suction pump.....

Maybe, but with a jar collecting it you are still disconnecting the pipes you used, leaving the original pipes to connect. So none if the fuel that gets through the filter and into the primer itthen goes into the engine.

Plus by disconnecting the inlet to the filter to prime, it's possible that when you undo it, the pipe from the tank to the filter can drain back causing and air gap.

Either way, as long as the filter is brimmed full it should not make much difference.

Please may I suggest you search this forum for replaceing the diesel filter.
It's very well documented, it's easy for anybody with a small amount of tech ability AND you do not need the expense of any suction pumps.
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There is a staggering amount of tech info and answers all here on this superb forum; you just need to use the search facility.
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Good luck, happy hunting and have a go......
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Kind regards from Fred
. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

On a different tack, does it turn over rapidly or sluggishly? A failing battery, particularly after a cold night, could display just those symptoms. Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

That is a very good point from RJC
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Most starter motors will whiz an engine over quite happily from 11.5 volts and below yet most engine ecu's will still be inactive at 11.8 volts and below.
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I wonder perhaps if it might be worthwhile checking the battery voltage as the engine cranks over at the first cold start?
Maybe it might also be worth putting the battery in charge overnight and disconnecting it only seconds before trying that first time cold start?
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Kind regards from Fred 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

It turns over fine in my opinion. I think it's starved of fuel, so air...

Are the keramic glowplugs or not?