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Possible cause of poor starting on a diesel Bongo?

I have a problem with initial starting in my Mazda Bongo auto diesel. Smoke and poor combustion, too.

Asked on 8 April 2013 by

Answered by Honest John
Probably one or more failed glow plugs. The problem comes with replacing them. If they snap while the fitter is trying to extract them, then the head will have to come off, the snapped glow plug(s) drilled out and the engine put back together again, escalating a £250 job into a £1,000 + job.

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