London Cab – How To Start

There are three things you must know to start an FX4D – the classic London Taxi.

The first is that there is a diesel cutoff control in the cab. If this is pulled out, then no diesel flows to the engine, and you’ll just kill your starter motor wondering why the dang thing won’t start. I’ve only done this twice. And I’ve only started it about 5 times so far, so only a 40% idiot rating for me.

The second is that the diesel engine requires glowplugs to heat up inside the cylinders to promote the explosion of the first diesel injected into them on a cold start. There is probably a way using one of the many switches in the cab of heating up these glow plugs. Our best bet so far is to turn the ignition key the opposite way for 20 seconds before turning it clockwise and pressing the starter button. It could be something else.

Luckily I’ve found this little sheet on how to test and inspect glowplugs in London Cabs, so I have some homework.

The third is as yet a mystery to me. In that I seem only to be able to start mine with a lot of starter fluid and apologetic looks to everyone in ear- and nose-shot. It could be a glow plug thing that’s holding me back. It could be that I have to hold a statue of St. Christopher at 45 degrees over cylinder number 3. I haven’t the foggiest.

If you have any clues, please drop me a line or comment!