Supposedly re-con engine

[Dieselweasel0]

Put a re-con engine from withams into my 90 after taking it straight of the re-con cradle. Now I'm no mechanic but obviously bolted it in, fuel lines done, throttle linkage etc, but glowed it up and wouldn't even attempt to fire. So put in new glow plugs, checked all connections, got fuel to the injectors and spill return, so bled through, changed fuel stop solenoid and then tried a tow start lots of smoke from exhaust(unburnt fuel) but still no fire up. Going to try pump timing next & check timing belt too, but other than that I'm head scratching! Suggestions please gents & ladies?

 

[Vinlander]

Might help to know what engine.

 

[flat]

Was it actually an unused recon or was it a take out recon

I have seen at withams unused recon engines that are wrapped for long term storage and clearly unused etc but also used recon engines that have been removed due to a fault by the army. Both types end up on engine cradles and withams sell both types.

Have you got a photo of it before you fitted it?

 

[Dieselweasel0]

Sorry people it is the old 2.5 na & it was an unused recon So had never been fitted, unfortunately I didn't take pics of it when it was delivered or prior to fitting

 

[zeaphod]

Sounds like timing. If you're getting fuel to the injectors there's not much else to go wrong with these engines.

 

[zeaphod]

Just a thought, might be worth a try - mark the position of the injector pump, loosen the three nuts and move it a few degrees, try it on the glow plugs again. Repeat moving in the other direction. You may find it will sound a bit more likely to start in one direction. Bit of a shot in the dark of course.

 

[Kwakerman]

Don't forget to change the cambelt if it wasn't done prior to engine fit. Cambelts have a calendar life of about 5 years irrespective of mileage. I would guess that way more than 5 years have gone by since it was overhauled. Better safe than sorry as you would be well miffed if your 'new; engine had a belt snap!

 

[jamesmartin]

not all mod recons are what you think ,contracts were a bit of a gravy train at times, ,id check timing tappets and injectors, injectors spray pattern can be checked by connecting upside down to pipe ,though you must keep very clear

 

[top drive]

clear fizzy pop bottlesgood for looking at injector spray pattern.

 

[Dieselweasel0]

clear fizzy pop bottlesgood for looking at injector spray pattern.

Many thanks will check these too

 

[Dieselweasel0]

not all mod recons are what you think ,contracts were a bit of a gravy train at times, ,id check timing tappets and injectors, injectors spray pattern can be checked by connecting upside down to pipe ,though you must keep very clear

I will check these out, I do have a spare engine to get rebuilt if necessary, just thought a recon would be bolt in & go

 

[Dieselweasel0]

Don't forget to change the cambelt if it wasn't done prior to engine fit. Cambelts have a calendar life of about 5 years irrespective of mileage. I would guess that way more than 5 years have gone by since it was overhauled. Better safe than sorry as you would be well miffed if your 'new; engine had a belt snap!

Many thanks, have a new cam belt waiting and water pump & gasket plus oil seals as I'm taking the front cover off.

 

[jamesmartin]

I will check these out, I do have a spare engine to get rebuilt if necessary, just thought a recon would be bolt in & go

it may well be a very good engine but just this fault from been stood, in house mod engines were no doubt well done but many contracted out had cheap parts poorly fitted, we bought many as were good units to rebuild

 

[flat]

I would take the timing cover off and check it's timed all good etc

 

[reiny]

In my experience, 2.5 N/As and 2.5 TDs are notoriously difficult to start after having had their cylinder head removed. Bump starting usually works as does a very small dose of the devil's fuel (easy start). Once they get going, they'll be ok.

 

[samc88]

I jump start it with my mams golf usually and keep cranking till airs expelled and it gets going (this is with cracking the injector pipes until i see diesel coming through) . Saves flattening the battery.