Another hard-starting thread...
 

Greetings. I've read the hard-starting sticky and think I have a glow plug problem, but want to get your thoughts.

Outside temp was 50F to 60F the last couple days.. Cool but not bad. I turn on the glow plugs until the light goes off (7-8 sec?) then engage the starter. The car starts immediately but runs horribly rough for 30 sec or so; goosing the accelerator doesn't help. After it smooths out a bit it feels sluggish for a mile or so.

Sound like glow plugs?

I haven't noticed any smoke but have not made a point to look, either.

I just had the injector pump resealed by a local shop with Volvo diesel experience. He recommended replacing the two GPs that are below the pump so we did that.

It started fine for a few days, but the ambient temps were warmer; 70F or higher. Is it that enough warmer that I wouldn't notice bad GP's?

Is it likely that the new plugs might have failed so soon? I don't have the part numbers for the new GPs but presume they are correct as the shop is experienced with D24's although they have not worked on one in a few years.

Car is a 1982 245 with 106k miles. It was dads, and was driven very little for the last few years until I brought it home in August. Since then it has run great and started very easily every time. This was with ambient temps in the 60's to 80’s F.

ill be contacting the shop but thought I'd check here for your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

-Tom in SoCal

GPs would have little effect after the initial start as there is no afterglow (unless you upgraded the GP relay to the newer one with upgraded logic), so your 30 secs of rough running seem to point to something else. That the car starts immediately points us to look elsewhere.

To answer your question about early GP failure-- Depends on the brand. We have had best results from Bosch Duraterms. You could ask the shop what they installed. Champions, Autolites have bad reputations.

50-60 deg F should not even require full glow cycle, 3-4 seconds should do it.

Who retimed the IP? Did anyone disturb the cold start calibration? Fuel filter replaced? Do you see any bubbles in the clear fuel line between the fuel filter and IP during this time?

Thanks for your thoughts Ngoma. I didn't have time to call the shop today but will tomorrow.