Starting issues - fuel related

For the past couple of weeks I've had issues starting my TD4 facelift. Basically, it used to fire up almost instantly but now it's taking ages. The MIL light is coming on and I can hear a humming from the back but it's a different sound to normal. When the car starts, it runs perfectly with no drop in performance at all.

I suspect either the primer pump giving up or the fuel filter but would appreciate others' opinions. Also, how do I know which filter it's fitted with? When I check my reg plate with Rimmer or Euro Car Parts, they both say there's two possible types!

RichStone said:

For the past couple of weeks I've had issues starting my TD4 facelift. Basically, it used to fire up almost instantly but now it's taking ages. The MIL light is coming on and I can hear a humming from the back but it's a different sound to normal. When the car starts, it runs perfectly with no drop in performance at all.

I suspect either the primer pump giving up or the fuel filter but would appreciate others' opinions. Also, how do I know which filter it's fitted with? When I check my reg plate with Rimmer or Euro Car Parts, they both say there's two possible types!

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Replace the low pressure fuel pump and fuel filter underneath the right hand wheel arch. Sounds like it might be on its way out. The pumps last around 100,000 miles. (Filter 12,000 miles).

I got my pump from Terrain Vehicles and filter from LR.

Best get oem spec ones ( I replaced mine with genuine LR ones).

RichStone said:

For the past couple of weeks I've had issues starting my TD4 facelift. Basically, it used to fire up almost instantly but now it's taking ages. The MIL light is coming on and I can hear a humming from the back but it's a different sound to normal. When the car starts, it runs perfectly with no drop in performance at all.

I suspect either the primer pump giving up or the fuel filter but would appreciate others' opinions. Also, how do I know which filter it's fitted with? When I check my reg plate with Rimmer or Euro Car Parts, they both say there's two possible types!

Click to expand...

Hey Rich,

Were these issues sorted?

Matt

Yeah... Sorry, I did mean to post the result here!

After replacing everything at the back end - fuel pump, fuel filter, sender unit, etc. - it turned out to be a single slightly leaking injector! I did the home test of disconnecting the small pipe with the T-pieces that clip into the top of the injectors, clamped the pipe and then turned the engine over. It was immediately obvious that the far right one (as looking into the engine bay from the front) was weeping diesel from the top. I had already ordered a replacement so I set to work carefully removing and replacing the leaky one, put everything back together and hey presto as they say... an immediate start! It's been absolutely fine since then. I wish I could say the same for my wallet after buying so many unnecessary parts but every day is a school day...

Glad to hear it is sorted.

You may have replaced some parts 'unnecessarily' but they would have needed replacing sooner than later. The sound from the rear will not have been a leaking injector. Probably was the LP pump. The injectors don't always show the EML light.