What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Why does my diesel car sound as though there is a bag of nails rattling around when I start it?

Why does my diesel car sound as though there is a bag of nails rattling around when I start it? It was never like this for the first 5 years. The car is a Citroen 2.2 HDI, is 10 years old and done 70k miles.

Asked on 10 July 2012 by oakes

Answered by Honest John
Because not all of the glow plugs have glowed so initially it is only firing on 3 cylinders. As soon as it gets hot then compression ignition means it will fire on all four.
Tags: diesels owning
Similar questions
I have a 2011 BMW 320d. It's the N47 engine and had the timing chain done last year at 130k miles and was done at 80k miles. It's now covered 182k miles mainly motorway driving and the DPF light keeps...
Hi HJ & Team. A question regarding our legal rights. We bought, approximately a month ago, a 2006 Ford Fusion 1.4TDCi Zetec with about 70k miles on the clock. We paid approximately £2,200 less a £500...
My Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi 05 plate runs rough when cold - like a petrol car 'missing.' It's OK when accelerating. I have had the glow plugs changed but it made no difference.
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer