Fast idle speed (tick-over) + other queries!

Good morning all,

I have recently changed the timing belt on my 200 TDI, during which I did a reset of the pump which appeared to be advanced a few teeth (lined up with the flywheel etc).

I had fueling problems prior to this (bumpy idle) but this problem seemed to be resolved once I reset the pump.

Now it appears to not be running correctly again, I have a fast idle speed which won't adjust on the idle adjuster on the pump cable, or the stop, I have even adjusted the top of the fuel pump (undone the bolt and moved the arm) still nothing.

I have a puff of white smoke on startup, which clears almost instantly, and black smoke if I floor it (not too worried about this as I'd expect the same with any other defender).


Side note- I did take off the glow plugs the other day and found traces of oil, could it be possible that the engine is trying to run away, time for stemseals?

Thank you all as always!

Sounds to me like the fuel screw has been wound in to much and this can raise the idle, the black smoke is a clue someone has been messing with it.
Oil on 200 glow plugs is quite normal.

lynall said:

Sounds to me like the fuel screw has been wound in to much and this can raise the idle, the black smoke is a clue someone has been messing with it.
Oil on 200 glow plugs is quite normal.

Click to expand...

Hi Lynall,

So the symptoms I had before I reset the pump was a bumpy idle, and I had to put my foot down to clear it in the mornings- I had to adjust the idle cable to get it to run faster which was a temporary fix for the bumpy idle.

What I'm baffled with is why would it suddenly decide to run fast after a month of it running perfectly?


Thanks Lynall!

Lej said:

Hi Lynall,

So the symptoms I had before I reset the pump was a bumpy idle, and I had to put my foot down to clear it in the mornings- I had to adjust the idle cable to get it to run faster which was a temporary fix for the bumpy idle.

What I'm baffled with is why would it suddenly decide to run fast after a month of it running perfectly?


Thanks Lynall!

Click to expand...

The bosch ve pump will self bleed, so if you have a small air leak into the fuel lines the car will still start but have a rough idle until the inj pump has a clear supply of fuel.
There is no idle cable, there is an idle screw.
A quick google of bosch ve injection pump will get you loads of info on what screw/adjustment is what, loads of vids on youtube as well.

The injector leak off pipes can also cause issues, cheap and easy to change, need to be 3.2mm id.