Hi,

I have recenlty bought a 2007 2.0 tdci its the (peugeot engine) galaxy with this problem. 

The car takes 6-7 attempts to start. I have to keep my foot on the gas and have to crank it even when it fires. I get plumes of white smoke - diesel it runs slightly lumpy & when it gets upto normal temps runs fine smoke clears. When its warm it starts fine, leave ot for 3-4 hours and its back to square 1.

The injectors have been tested and they are ok, I've had the egr removed and checked and its fine, Ive by-passed the fuel filter and its still the same. Some one did mention glow plugs but tbh Ive never known glow plugs cause starting problems on modern common rail engines.

A local engine builder suggests that it may have a bent con-rod from water ingress at some stage. The filter is not damp and whilst it looks new it has the usual dust and crap you find. 

Any ideas ?

I'd check glow plugs, cold starting is exactly what they are for.

Guess its worth a shot but I've never known them to cause a starting issue on a common rail engine even with the coldest of weather in the uk. 

How easy are they to change I do know they are located right at the back, from what i can see its a case of removing the egr & egr cooler. Ive had the egr of before just to make sure it wasnt gunked up. I'm pretty good with diesel engines rebuilds etc. And have chnaged quite a few glow plugs. Best to get the engine warm and all that. 

Also using a mirror to see what I'm doing & magnetised socket to ensure i dont loose the small fixing nuts.

The smoke is white and is fuel it stink and if you were daft enough to stand in it for that long stings the eyes.

If the glow plugs are okay guess it would be a case of doing a compression test from cold.

I would look at the glow plugs first as this happened on a friend of mine and  it turned out it was exactly that