Hi all I thought I'd start a thread to gather any thoughts.

It's a 2009 2.0tdci euro4

(No error codes on ForScan)

Recently, when starting from cold in the morning, it's struggled more and more but eventually catches. Not slow cranking, just an extra second or 2.

Now, it shakes the entire car violently when attempting to start but does eventually catch. It's getting worse each day.

It had a new genuine ford fuel filter maybe 4 months ago and this issue began maybe 4 weeks ago.

I've been advised air may be getting into the fuel but I'll be honest time isn't on my side so I wondered if anyone had solved this issue and could guide me to problem areas.

Many of the finest thanks in advance, 

George

When you're trying to start it, look at the fuel delivery pipe (hopefully with a transparent section)
If you have ANY bubbles then that is a clue that there's an air leak somewhere.

I can only describe the resolution for 2011 model, filter housing, detailed here although you may need to check all pipework/connections/return pipework etc..

Can spray oil onto fittings or remove and add Vaseline to try to diagnose any  leaks?:

Forscan can also monitor the rail pressure and demanded pressure and if pressure is low whilst cranking, that's another clue?

Checked this AM and No Bubbles At All!!

Just thought i'd update this

the hard starts got worse and worse.

fitted a second hand starter motor from a 2014 smax and issue is now resolved 🙂

Thanks (often threads are never updated or a resolution given!
So, for future readers of this thread, there were no bubbles noticed, it was "just" the starter motor on it's last legs getting less and less powerful (would be nice to know what the internal fault was)?

Just wanted to add in, had next to no problems since changing the starter but the last 2 weeks starting has got slower and slower again, maybe worse than before this morning. 

Yesterday I charged battery fully overnight and went to start it was very sluggish and sounded rough for a few mins..

Next step was to acquire a new battery as the one I have on it was 2nd hand on my previous car so well overdue... Picked up a beast from Halfords for only £80 today so it's on charge tonight and ill chuck it in tomorrow 🙂

Replaced the battery this morning

Little sluggish to start but better than it has been

Noticed the +ve wire from battery to fusebox got very very hot, not the one to starter that was cold. Assume its probably corroded or something. Can get premade cable at halfords for a fiver so worth a punt

20 hours ago, Swearwolf said:

Picked up a beast from Halfords for only £80 today

£80 seems very cheap for a battery for a 2.0 TDCi

Either you got a bit of a deal, or it's the wrong battery. What amp hour, and what cold crank amps is it ?

37 minutes ago, unofix said:

£80 seems very cheap for a battery for a 2.0 TDCi

Either you got a bit of a deal, or it's the wrong battery. What amp hour, and what cold crank amps is it ?

80ah

760cca

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/batteries/car-batteries/halfords-hb110%2Fhcb110-lead-acid-12v-car-battery-4-year-guarantee-952481.html

1 hour ago, Swearwolf said:

80ah

760cca

The Halfords battery at £95 is more like the price I would have been expecting. 👍

4 hours ago, Swearwolf said:

Can get premade cable at halfords for a fiver so worth a punt

I have just had identical problem and cut the end off then soldered on the correct size lug.
Amazed a direct replacement cable is a fiver, can you please point me to it?
The Halfords battery above looks right to me (think I've just bought one but not at your cheaper price 😐)
 

2 hours ago, unofix said:

The Halfords battery at £95 is more like the price I would have been expecting. 👍

yeah sign into their club goes down to 90, then i had a free £10 voucher to use 😄

52 minutes ago, Shearers said:

I have just had identical problem and cut the end off then soldered on the correct size lug.
Amazed a direct replacement cable is a fiver, can you please point me to it?
The Halfords battery above looks right to me (think I've just bought one but not at your cheaper price 😐)
 

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintenance/battery-accessories/halfords-positive-battery-cable-45cm-18in-165308.html?cm_mmc=Google+PLA-_-Motoring>Motoring+Products>Battery+Maintenance>Battery+Accessories-_-Motoring>Motoring+Products>Battery+Maintenance>Battery+Accessories-_-165308&&_$ja=tsid:|cid:18239999750|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:14288825850565475578|dvc:c|adp:|mt:|loc:9046196&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAm-67BhBlEiwAEVftNpCY24eEI8-aUowyAfeO5cpumkzzWi6WXFvPYNU0_Wj4VsUhROyMrBoCFgwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

Yes this:
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintenance/battery-accessories/halfords-positive-battery-cable-76cm-30in-165324.html
BUT You'll need to join it to the existing lead after taking out the dodgy bit either by crimping a fitting or soldering.

Unless the cable goes to the fuse box and can be fitted easily - let me know please!

I just cut the "bad" bit off, see before, cut and solder lug, after below.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122666453146

8mm hole and 25mm squared socket did it on 2011 S-Max (I soldered rather than crimped, you need a crimping tool)

17 hours ago, Shearers said:

Yes this:
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintenance/battery-accessories/halfords-positive-battery-cable-76cm-30in-165324.html
BUT You'll need to join it to the existing lead after taking out the dodgy bit either by crimping a fitting or soldering.

Unless the cable goes to the fuse box and can be fitted easily - let me know please!

I just cut the "bad" bit off, see before, cut and solder lug, after below.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122666453146

8mm hole and 25mm squared socket did it on 2011 S-Max (I soldered rather than crimped, you need a crimping tool)

cheers for this!!

Decided against cutting and soldering as I forgot to buy any flux, so for now at least I've left the cable in situ and added the new one on top from +ve terminal to where the +ve attaches into the fuse box. So far it's not getting hot at the battery so hopefully fixed!