bad starter ???

Hi everybody, this is my first post so any help would be great. My partner has a 300tdi disco and for the past week its been a nightmare to start. It just cranks over for nearly a minute before it goes even when the engines hot ! So far i have replaced glow plugs / fuel filters/ I drained the sedimentor and fully bled the system. I checked the cut off solenoid was working and is and so now im sort of stumped as to what might be up. Air is obviously getting in somewhere, but ?????? Where ????? pls help anybody,

Try whipping out the bleed screw on top of the filter (bulkhead) if it chucks out air frothy fuel then chances are you will have an air leak, (you dont say if it runs ok once it starts).
have a good rummage around the rear sediment filter,with them being fitted where they are, the usually rot , If thats your problem just fit one of those cheap in line plaggy filters and do away with the sediment bowl.

Oh Welcome alex!

Hi thanks for the reply. Once it is started it runs perfect and doesnt miss a beat. I have undone the bleed screw on top of the filter and bled it through till there is a smooth flow so to speak. flicked on the ignition and give a few more lifts on the lift pump. It then starts up if you start it straight away. But come back 5 mins later and undo the bleed screw again and like you say its full of air again. I had a look at the sedimentor and tere is signs of slight dampness but no obvious leaking. But yes i think i will try bypass it with an inline one and see how it goes.

yep sounds like it could be the problem,

dont forget It will only need to be a pin hole so its suckin air in, not chuckin fuel out

good luck

cheers will have a go first thing in the morning, any ideas where to get an inline filter from ??

Erm!

local garage, motor factors, halfuds ??? cost about a squid.

excellent. Just one more thing, sorry. will there be enough pipe once i cut it from the old filter to just fit the new one, or will ineed any pipe etc ??

Oh!
not sure on that one???
i cant remember havin to extend them, Sorry!

I think there was enough, but dont quote me on that!

ok, well thankyou for the info / help. al have a go tomorow and post the outcome, cheers.

Let me know if that solves it - I am having the same issues on my 2001 TD5 and it has cost a bomb so far and I am coming to the conclusion that it is air in the system. No fuel leakage signs so must be hairline crack somewhere.

But where from? - that seems to be the million dollar question.

Alex, put the lift pump input side into a can of diesel with a little piece of pipe and just push fit it over, start it, turn it off, leave it for a while try again, if the problem is gone, you can be sure its before the lift pump.

read somewhere that there is a fuel filter device thingy near the back axle, which is prone to air and or fuel leaks.
worth checking out.

Hi. Yes i cut the inlet and outlet that goes to the sedimentor, and fitted a plastic inline filter. Bled it up and it starts perfect everytime now. I did this about a week ago now and it still starts first turn of the key, no problems. If you are experiencing the same symptoms then it is definately worth investigating and replacing the sedimentor unit or as i have done , do away with the sedimentor and fitted an inline filter.

The plastic inline filter will need changing with the main filter so remember to do this come filter changing time.

i replaced the fuel filter at the bulkhead at the same time as fitting the inline one, but yes al make a note to change the both at the next service, cheers.