05 D22 Sluggish start - black smoke

[digbyj]

Hey Boys and Merry Christmas!
Been a bit quiet with the Nav lately but now just having a minor issue...
Starter cranks over fine but engine kind of has a slow pause and then boom it starts with a big cloud of black smoke, been doing it for 3 days. Was thinking glow plugs?
Any thoughts? Bit hard to get to a mechanic at the moment...
Cheers fellas!

 

[digbyj]

Side note to this... first time it happened my heater/aircon didn't work, turned off car and restarted and it came on. Could be u related but I think I'll head out shortly and check the battery connections and I'll also check the primer.

 

[04SilverSTR]

Yeah i would start with looking at the battery. If its down it maybe causing problems.

Bryan

 

[d22dave]

Good way to check if glow plugs are getting worn is to glow it 2 or 3 times and then try to start it doesn't help if there s no power to the plugs at all

 

[04SilverSTR]

Also try charging the battery over night and see what its like the next morning also check the water level first!!

Bryan

 

[digbyj]

Cheers boys, started today cold and hot without missing a beat. No loose battery connections and primer was hard on 3rd pump. Ever since the big plume of smoke on start up yesterday it's been fine.
I'm due for service so I'll mention it then..

 

[Dave]

Check the main earths coming off the battery.