My car has been garaged fo the past 2 weeks whilst i have been away. When i started it up this morning there was a loud screeching noise,I immediately turned off waited a few minutes then tried
again but the same thing happened.However the third time I started it ,it purred like a kitten. Can anyone explain what was happening.?
KJN has probably sussed it with slipping drive belt. Cars have pre-engaged starter motors nowadays; in any case "screeching" wouldn't define the noise it would make if it didn't engage.
I don't see why a diesel should be any more likely to make such a noise than any other engine.
Lots of cars have automatic belt-tensioners nowadays (I don't know about your particular car), so it could be a problem with that or maybe the belt has stiffened with age and needs replacing (some things are changed on age, not miles). I'd get it checked out as soon as possible before calamity strikes.