fuel, diesel, stumped...

Hoping someone can help.

Just replaced the fuel filters on my 300TDi Auto (non-EDC). I say filters as i have a second "inline" filter between main filter and pump and the plastic pipe is now rubber as the plastic line split not long after i got it.

Been a bit low on power recently until warmed up when it chugs along happily and a pig to start. Have recently had head off for a broken glow plug and timing belt before that. No sign of excessive fuel useage and the low power is a recent thing although since the weather has warmed up it's been better. Inline fuel filter had turned black so decided to change the lot.

Bled the system with lift pump until diesel comes out of the bleed screw on top of the fuel filter housing, pumped through until the inline filter is fuel of diesel, then the inline filter just drains away... even turning the engine over to draw the fuel through has no effect.

Any ideas? No sign of leaks anywhere.

As this is my first diesel engine i'm a little out of water with it, always been a petrol bod.
btw i only run diesel in it.

TIA

Im not sure what the question is...does it chug along, cut out or is difficult to start or all three??

Have you cleaned the intercooler and pipes recently? Have you changed all oils? Have you tested the turbo?

at the moment, turns over and won't fire.

As its turning it's drawing fuel, you can see it in the inline filter, stop cranking and the fuel drains away

Have you tested the battery, if its not got enough CCA's it wont start well.

storm99 said:

Have you tested the battery, if its not got enough CCA's it wont start well.

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Brand new battery fitted last week, also tried shunting batteries 2 & 3 into the circuit so it's not a power issue.

What battery? A disco will need at least 640cca's and preferably lots more.

two 740s and a 480.

Well its not a power issue then if those are charged! Id check the fuel lines again for degradation. Mine were rotten inside and a load of tiny rubber particles were blocking the injectors.

yeah, there is nothing in the old filter and nothing in the inline either, the sediment collector is draining diesel when you turn the screw on it.

I cracked the injector pipes off, nothing up there when cranking the engine, but fuel is filling the inline filter and then emptying when the engine stops so it looks like there is air getting in somewhere.

Might try replacing the O rings on the filter to pump section, then a feed from a jerry can into the filter, if it fires i know the problem is futher back.

Had a similar problem a while ago, it turned out the fuel lines had gone brittle and had small cracks in them. Whilst there was no diesel leaking out, the suction in the pipe was drawing air in when the engine was turned over.

We got 10m of fuel pipe and some unions, then changed all of the pipe between the fuel tank and the engine - problem solved.

Sounds like a faulty lift pump!! Two one way valves in there !! I've had new pumps with dodgy valves !!

I will just put this to close the thread... the problem was....

corroded terminal on the stop switch...

Learning curve and all that... lol :faint2:

M0YAA said:

I will just put this to close the thread... the problem was....

corroded terminal on the stop switch...

Learning curve and all that... lol :faint2:

Click to expand...

thanks for the feedback its appreciated