Defender 03 TD5 Starting problem

Any advice on the following would be appreciated... my Defender has just recently started developing starting issue. At the moment it is only after sitting for several hours... when it does start (after maybe 3 to 5 attempts), if I turn it off immediately and re-try it will fire instantly.

I mentioned this at recent service... they couldn't find a fault and said given 158k might be that the fuel pump is starting to go... and when it does, it will stop completely (yay, can't wait for that!).
They had it overnight and unfortunately for me, it started for them fine in the morning. :-(

They have shown me how to turning the key to prime the pump... listening to it gurgle and whine before starting... which I do, and it hasn't actually not started yet...but I'm still having the same problem.

Should I just wait til it doesn't go at all?!

Thanks.

LOUNZ said:

Any advice on the following would be appreciated... my Defender has just recently started developing starting issue. At the moment it is only after sitting for several hours... when it does start (after maybe 3 to 5 attempts), if I turn it off immediately and re-try it will fire instantly.

I mentioned this at recent service... they couldn't find a fault and said given 158k might be that the fuel pump is starting to go... and when it does, it will stop completely (yay, can't wait for that!).
They had it overnight and unfortunately for me, it started for them fine in the morning. :-(


Thanks.

Click to expand...

Injector washers ? Leak off pipes ?

Thanks for the reply/suggestion... I'll look into those potentials and keep you posted.
P.S I assume that is not normal to have to prime pre-start every time you start? I have never done this before this problem developing, always just turn the key and got going.

Hi
Here's an update and still looking for help.. I'm not a mechanic...but over the last month... this is how it's gone.
Took it to Land Rover agent with starting issue...told them what had been suggested here by JasWilliams (thanks).
They thought unlikely... but said they would test and check the issue out.
They found fuel regulator leaking... replaced...no change to the problem.
They told me it was the fuel pump... I questioned if they were pretty certain this would solve the issue... they said yes...they installed.
I went to pick up... gave a large sum of money... got in... did not start properly... no change!! They white faced and head scratching.
They kept it.... decided to change injector seals.... guess what... problem solved!
BUT
Now they have power loss....starts perfectly... but gutless (their words)
They are keeping it...
Have you got any suggestions I can pass on to them!?

For anyone following this thread....the conclusion to my 3 month ordeal which started with a simple cold start problem and turned into a nightmare...

So... finally getting to a close on my situation.
After months of trying everything else, it was decided to send injectors off to be tested in Australia... as no facility here in NZ to do so.

The results from the injector specialist testing in Oz confirmed that all 5 of my injectors had been damaged. They are being fully re-built and shipped back this week so hoping to get my truck back late next week.

They are completing a report on what the damage to the injectors are, but essentially the mechanic (this is the Land Rover agent here in NZ so supposed to be the experts) messed up big time doing a simple seal and washer service on my injectors and buggered all 5 of them.

Based on this experience... I can't see any value in buying off the local distributor...I'll import my next Land Rover.

Final update on this thread.
Exactly 3 months later I have my car back.
Essentially the dealer misdiagnosed the original problem and when they got around to fixing the original problem by servicing the injectors with new seals and washers... they completely knackered all 5 of them. They then took 3 months resolving the issue... with a lot of help from me!
Any way... if you have a cold start problem...so running fine when running (and starting fine when started immediately after running, but when left for any length of time takes a lot of turning over to fire up...then most likely is injector seals (not your fuel pump)...all the dealers seem to want to change your expensive fuel pump at the drop of a hat.
THEN...make sure that the supposed experts doing the injector servicing have done a few of these before and know what they are doing.
AND...test drive before you pay for the injector service. If you are notably down on power... they have stuffed up and you need all your injectors reconditioned or replaced with new.
OR... as many others on this forum....do it yourself!