Citroen Saxo 1.5D - Cutting Out HELP!!!

[dougal-dog]

I have just purchased a 1997 Saxo 1.5D
It is an absolute pig to start!!
1. It takes about 3 attempts to start it 1st thing in the morning.
2. Once started it idles absolutely fine to begin with, then after about 4 minutes the running gets lumpy and it starts pumping out clouds of smoke, then the engine cuts out.
3. You can then restart it - although it takes longer this time.
4. If you try to drive of immediately the car gets about 100 yrds and cuts out again.
5. Once the engine is warm the car runs perfectly with no smoke and no loss of power.

I have so far done the following, but I'm running out of ideas:
Replaced oil, oil filter, air filter, glow plugs, glow plug control unit, fuel filter, cleaned injectors.
I have also checked the valve clearances and re-shimmed as necessary.

The car doesn't obviously use any oil or coolant, so I can only think the smoke it excess diesel??

Can anyone help!!??

[grahamroxuk]

you probably wont know but the previous owner may have put petrol in it at some point recently, or have you done so by accident?

my diesel was shit in the mornings until i got new glow plugs, although youve changed them is the job done correctly?

there would be no sensible reason for it to start but then cut out unless the fuel mix isnt correct, and the most obvious thing with diesels is when someone makes a booboo with a green handled fuel nozzle.

fill the tank to the brim with good quality diesel (shell vPower) (you should really do this every now and then anyway for better engine performance).
start the car and leave it idling for a few mins to let it all warm up.give it some high revs in neutral to warm it right up.

it really shouldnt be cutting out once you have it started because its a diesel and its self combusting without a spark.

the problem with the diesel tank having petrol in it is that petrol wont combust under pressure without a spark so although it will combust when the diesel does, it wont be as clean a burn and will generate plenty of smoke and almost be a double explosion on each compression.

fill it with high quality diesel and let me know how you get on, i may end up needing your advice in the future so ill add you.

iv not come across many diesel owners on here.

[dougal-dog]

I know I haven't used petrol by mistake, but I can't comment on the previous owner.
When I purchased the car I immediately 1/2 filled the tank with the diesel, I have since added another 10 litres.
How long would it take to get rid of any petrol that may or may not be in the tank??

[dougal-dog]

Sorry I forgot to say I have replaced the glow plugs, I think I have done it correctly, what might I have done wrong?? (I'm a bit of a mechanical novice & I've never owned a diesel before!!??)