Hard to start after injector pump belt replacement

[palmtree]

I just had my IP belt replaced in a shop. The car runs fine but is a real pain to get started in the morning. Before the belt replacement the car always started almost instantly. Now it cranks for what seems like forever before it will finally start with some depression of the accelerator. I never had to touch the accelerator pedal to start it before the belt replacement. I am pretty new to this car and diesels in general. Is there some kind of adjustment he made when replacing the belt that makes it start different from before?
Thanks

[Volvoist]

I am guessing that the injection timing (hopefully not the cam timing) is off. That or the over tight belt has worn the injection pump input shaft bushing, and is now sucking air. It could be possible that you have a bad glow plug, but you'll need to check the timing first.
You can check for air by looking at the line between the fuel filter and injection pump (assuming you have or install clear tubing). If you see bubbles, you are sucking air, most likely from that shaft seal or bushing. Whatever you do, DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, USE STARTING FLUID (AKA ETHER) TO START THE ENGINE! Immediate damage can, and will, result.

[v8volvo]

How much smoke during cranking and after starting? More than before, or less? Rough running for the first couple minutes after a cold start? Minimal smoke during cranking before starting and fairly smooth running after startup is a likely sign of air ingress into the fuel system. Lots of smoke and poor running during and after starting points to incorrect (retarded) injection timing.

I second Mike's advice to absolutely avoid any kind of starting fluid. What kind of shop did the replacement? Do they have any VW diesel experience or tools? It sounds as though they have got the timing off as well as the belt too tight. Special timing tools (dial indicator and holder) are ***REQUIRED*** (not suggested, not highly recommended, but absolutely required) to set injection timing on any mechanical VW/Audi/Volvo diesel engine. Working without the proper tools, information, and techniques means you are shooting in the dark on timing, and are almost guaranteed to achieve an incorrect result that causes difficult starting, loss of power, reduced fuel mileage, excessive smoke, rough running, accelerated engine wear, and a litany of other problems.

It is a very easy task to do with the proper tools, which are available inexpensively on ebay. All the necessary info is available here. You could do the timing and belt tension adjustment yourself in a weekend afternoon, or a good diesel-familiar mechanic willing to learn a few new tricks (some are not!) and supplied with the appropriate information and tools could also do it without any trouble. Just to check the timing takes about 15 minutes with the dial tool; adjusting it takes a little longer but is quite straightforward once you understand what needs to be done.

If the fuel pump is leaking air in, that can be temporarily solved with a low-pressure electric helper pump in the fuel line. Even just installing a hand primer bulb in line before the fuel filter can help identify that issue; if putting one on and giving it several squeezes before attempting to start makes it start better, then you have an air leak. Proper fix is replacing the relevant pump seals, but my money is more on timing than fuel leakage. Generally with a leaky shaft seal, air leaks in when running but fuel leaks out when sitting overnight, so if that is your problem you should be able to see/smell evidence of fuel leakage from the rear of the engine. If everything is dry then you are focused on timing or perhaps glow plug issues... but unless you know for sure that your mechanic had the ability and equipment and inclination to set the timing right and did so, I would start there.

[palmtree]

Thanks for all the great help -- I really appreciate it.
Not much smoke, just a little white smoke when it would finally start. Maybe cranked over 15 times and would eventually start after I would depress the pedal to the floor. After it started it would run fine.
I started nosing around and noticed that the cold start device was disconnected. I re-engaged it and then it was starting about the same as before -- always started but not easy and took a while. I decided to change the fuel filter. I have driven the car about 3500 miles since I bought it and I have no idea when the previous owner changed it before. He did a complete tear down and rebuild about 8500 miles ago so I bet I was still running the original fuel filter. I decided I would change the oil and air filter as well. After all that was done it started right up instantly and is running great.
The guy that changed the IP belt (the second time) has worked on some VW's in the past and he does have the tools. This was his first Volvo but he said it was basically the same just on the back of the engine which makes it a literal pain in the back. He doesn't see many VW's either. I live in rural Missouri and he gets mostly pickup trucks and tractors. Anyway, he is pretty confident and has done it before on VW's. His shop actually rebuilds Bosch VE IP's too so he is very familiar with the pumps. Also the last belt that was too tight broke within 15 miles.
Sorry for the long post. Just wanted to say thanks for the help and I'm sure I'll need more help in the future since I'm new to these cars.
Brett

[v8volvo]

A clogged fuel filter will do it.

Glad you got it sorted out.

[palmtree]

Well, I thought I had it figured out.
After changing the fuel filter it started right up for a few days then it started getting harder and harder to start. This morning it started about like it did before the filter change (took a lot of cranking and wouldn't start until the accelerator was pressed to the floor). Then after about 45 minutes of driving I arrived at the office and it died as I was pulling into my parking spot. I had an appointment so I just left it for about an hour. When I went back out to look at it again, it would start, but slowly and not until I floored it -- just like first thing this morning.
My first thought is that there is a partial occlusion in the fuel line or maybe the tank pickup before it gets to the filter. That would explain, maybe, why it started up so quickly with a new and primed filter. Another possibility may be that something has already clogged that new filter.
Any other suggestions? I just hope I make it to the other office today (it's about a 30 mile drive). Wish me luck.