[Hampshire Mark]

My 2007 GT 1.9 JTD suddenly won't start. It turned over a few times and the engine 'almost' kicked in. With the accelerator pushed down, there was a lot of vibration but it didn't catch. Without the accelerator pressed down, it just turns over.

The battery seems fine: the lights were on (bad practice perhaps, yes) and work fine now. No diagnostic messages showing on the dash.

Now, even with the accelerator down, it just turns over but the engine doesn't fire up.

The car had been on the flat, level drive for 24 hours without moving. It's quite cold...6 degrees or so.

Background
Done 94k miles or so. This Alfa has had a few problems recently. I added (again maybe stupidly, but a friend recommended it) some injector cleaner into the fuel tank (it was 75% full) and within 2 minutes, I had lost all acceleration. It turned out that the turbo was jammed solid. It was reconditioned and refitted and for a week the car ran perfectly. Everyone has said that it was **probably** pure coincidence that the turbo jammed after adding the cleaner. I have since topped up the tank twice to dilute it as much as possible.
I have noticed that the car was taking a fraction longer to start up each morning than normal. Maybe an extra second before firing up.

As you can tell, I'm really not at all technical. I really enjoy driving my Alfa but it's starting to become expensive. I do hope someone has some ideas. I have seen quite a few posts in this and other forums but there seems to be almost too much information!

 

[rc_addicted]

I would start with replacing the glow plugs and i would say cleaner would not effect anything

 

[rc_addicted]

Or aleast see if you have power going to them

 

[Hampshire Mark]

Thanks. Yes, everyone says it's just one of those coincidences!

 

[_The_Editor_]

Engine should start without glow plugs, albeit more slowly and with a bit of smoke....

Diesel engines are pretty simple to get running... As long as it's got compression, air, and fuel it will start... Might not run perfectly, but it'll start... If it's not starting, it's not getting one of those three...

If it sounds completely normal when cranking, I'd suspect that it's not fuelling.. Although given the previous trouble you've had with the turbo jamming up, I'd be tempted to get it to a specialist for a diagnostic... If your turbo was gummed up to the point that it seized, then your EGR and swirl flaps are gonna be super dirty... Failing swirl flaps kill engines, simple as that...

If you're in SW Hampshire I can highly recommend Autolusso Bournemouth!

 

[ALFADOIT]

I think we are all having glow plug issues at the moment due to the temp decline... Is everyone letting their glow plug warning dash light ignite then go off? Enough time for the plugs to be at optimum temp?

Damien.

 

[joeymannero]

if the turbo is banjaxed at 94k then it is your engine is likely filthy...


mine is on 101k and runs sweetly, pulling through every gear nicely ,no probs starting on any day provided I switch to mar and leave for a bit then switch on ignition.

the turbo does actually spool up on start-up the reason why when fitting a new turbo you must make sure to prime the oil feed..the fact yours is not working is probably part of the issue.

as said before diesel engines work on the heat caused by compression igniting the fuel. so either you are not getting enough fuel(injectors/pump, enough air, turbo/dirty air filter or there is a lack of compression which TBH is the worst case scenario.


if it were my car I would firstly sort the turbo issue...( I am replacing mine with a hybrid this month, £150 and its yours...am in guildford so not too far.

actually before this get the codes read this will help diagnose the issue.

next, when was it last serviced, because dirty oil is the main reason turbos fail, 12k interval is way too long I do mine at 6-8k intervals hence I have a healthy turbo at 101k.

so in order check ,battery,cold saps it as well as making the oil in the crankcase thicker so more juice is required to start the engine.

glow plug control module.

fuel filter, if its clogged it will restrict fuel

injectors,leaky or failing injectors will not help.

bottom line a diesel engine that turns over normally but won't start has fuel delivery problems or is lacking air. check air intakes and air filter...if its filthy that is contributing or causing the issue.

lower viscosity oil will help too, try a 5/30 weight during the winter months.

hope this helps.

p.s AHM are very good as well and may be nearer than Autolusso for you in a car with some issues.

Hartley Wintney I believe

 

[Neddyboy]

I'm in Ripley Joey, we should have a GT meet up :thumbup:

 

[joeymannero]

sounds good..:thumbup:


will drop you a PM with contact details..

 

[dgmayhead]

Check timing belt.

 

[ALFADOIT]

t

 

[halftone]

Did the turbo seizure get a postmortem? At your mileage I'd want to eliminate swirl flaps as a cause of the failure and now, perhaps, of difficult starting, as you probably have the half-plastic manifold with metal flaps that break off. A compression test might be a good idea.

 

[joeymannero]

what he said +1

 

[gtv160]

Did you have intermittent hot start issues before your current problem as faulty crankshaft sensor can cause similar issues as you describe? Also, as said above, perhaps check timing.
I would check the basics first before getting too worried about the rather serious problems highlighted here. If you don't think you are able to methodically check these things yourself then it willl be best for your pocket (and sanity) to get a good independent to look at it for you.
Also make sure that your battery is well charged after all this cranking. Quite often jump leads just don't deliver enough when trying to start a car that has been sitting a while. If it was me, I would be putting it on a good charge. Good luck with it and hopefully it will be something simple and cheap!

 

[Hampshire Mark]

UPDATE ON THE NON-STARTING GT

GT was towed yesterday by a cheerful chap with two Jack Russells in the cab.

My local mechanic (he only does Alfas) said the battery was almost flat (I had gone back to try it a number of times, having heard some people say that some Alfas are like the resurrection....you go back and suddenly there's a miracle). Before replacing the battery he got three errors on the diagnostics:
- egr valve
- butterfly throttle valve
- camshaft phase sensor
He said the fuel pump was working fine though and doesn't think it's the glow plugs.
He suspects it's the timing and thats the next line of inquiry.
He's never changed a camshaft sensor before and the other specialist he phoned said it shouldn't ever need to be replaced....more likely the wiring. This car has a bit of a history of dodgy sensors (it often says a light has gone when it hasn't and lights go and it doesn't show!)

Any further thoughts on this with the new information.
I'm also looking for a forum avatar which has a small picture of a stressed bloke stuffing wads of cash under the bonnet of an Alfa.

Out of interest, does anyone know the name and contact details of the man who designed the screen-wash filler pipe for the GT? I'm keen to send him a quick message.

 

[Hampshire Mark]

Did you have intermittent hot start issues before your current problem as faulty crankshaft sensor can cause similar issues as you describe? Also, as said above, perhaps check timing.
I would check the basics first before getting too worried about the rather serious problems highlighted here. If you don't think you are able to methodically check these things yourself then it willl be best for your pocket (and sanity) to get a good independent to look at it for you.
Also make sure that your battery is well charged after all this cranking. Quite often jump leads just don't deliver enough when trying to start a car that has been sitting a while. If it was me, I would be putting it on a good charge. Good luck with it and hopefully it will be something simple and cheap!

Thanks for this. No hot-start issues at all. This car usually drives like a dream.
I know as much about car mechanics as Donald Trump knows about contemporary multicultural problem-solving and diplomacy, so I always use a local independent Alfa mechanic. The battery is being recharged and we will restart the investigation on Monday.

 

[Hampshire Mark]

if the turbo is banjaxed at 94k then it is your engine is likely filthy...

It's a concern, yes.

if it were my car I would firstly sort the turbo issue...( I am replacing mine with a hybrid this month, £150 and its yours...am in guildford so not too far.

Might take you up on this!

actually before this get the codes read this will help diagnose the issue.

Done [posted above]

next, when was it last serviced, because dirty oil is the main reason turbos fail, 12k interval is way too long I do mine at 6-8k intervals hence I have a healthy turbo at 101k.

The car doesn't get particularly heavily used, tbh (itself a problem for a diesel I know) but the servicing is every 6 months since I bought it. That makes it about every 5k miles since I owned it (about 15 months now).

hope this helps.

Yes, massively, thanks!

p.s AHM are very good as well and may be nearer than Autolusso for you in a car with some issues. Hartley Wintney I believe

Hartley Wintney's 10 miles further than Bournemouth, but thanks. I'm actually in sunny Fareham.
Again, thanks for the excellent advice!

 

[gtv160]

I'm also looking for a forum avatar which has a small picture of a stressed bloke stuffing wads of cash under the bonnet of an Alfa.

I'm sorry but I think all variants of this particular scenario have already been taken:laugh:

 

[joeymannero]

Mark..

i'm italian


I have mostly owned italian cars and bikes.


if i had a lira for every time a problem was down to a failing battery I would be at least £500 better off..

timing is a possible as well but it doesn't ''feel right''...my experience tells me battery, ECU reset. if it is not one of the usual diesel specific issues such as egr ,stuck vnt or swirl flap issues.

keep us posted.

:biglaugh:

 

[ShuntAlfa]

Crank sensor?