Cavalier TD starting problems

[blowfelt]

My cav 1.7td GLS is difficult to start when cold but fine once warmed up.I was thinking could it be the glow plugs or the valve shims.

[thegriffin]

Try operating the glow plugs a couple of times before starting in the morning and see if that helps. If so it could be that the plugs or timer need checking.
I've found when it won't start instantly in the morning, it's usually the valve clearances need adjustment. I've found the inlets close up for some reason.

[blowfelt]

It starts first time but splutters first thing on a morning.

[Robsey]

Maybe one cylinder is struggling due to a duff glow plug, or a mal-adjusted shim.

Glow plugs are easy to test...
Either check resistance from feed plug pin to the engine block.
I think you should get about 1.5 ohms..

Or unscrew the glow plug and put jump leads from the battery to the glow plug.
It should glow quite quickly.

Shims is a simple job to check once you remove the rocker cover.
It should be done on a cold engine.
Rotate the camshaft so that the lobe to be tested points upwards.
Check the gap between the camshaft and the shim surface...
You should have a gap of 0.15mm.

But as said above, they do close up their gaps for fun.