Rough idle & clicking rear offside wheelarch.

Hi, Tried the engine forum, but unsure where I should list this. I have a problem with my 53 TD4, its started to run rough on tickover, almost as if its running on 3 cylinders. Also noticed today that there's a ticking/clicking noise at the rear offside wheelarch area..... fuel pump? Tried fuel cleaners without success. Seems to be this problem occurs only when weather is really cold, though its now been about 4 days since the problem arose.
Any ideas, would appreciate help.
Cheers
Jeff

Yeap, your low pressure fuel pump, which is behind the wheel arch (and I believe the 2003 TD4 was the first to put it there, rather than in the fuel tank itself), is dying. They go weak then they pack up completely. Your engine is suffering from fuel starvation. Sadly I understand its a new pump time.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Hi Darmain, Guess thats costly, but kniowing the fault is going to help.
The low pressure pump is it under the rear seat. I have seen a round shape their with three screws, always presumed this was fuel pump. Jeff

The disc under the rear seat covers the tank connections and fuel gauge sender. The pump has been moved outside the passenger space to underneath the car, just inboard of the rear wheel. Best way to access it is to remove the rear wheel and pull out the front of the wheel arch liner. The pump, filter and sludge/water sedimenter are mounted in the black plastic tray. Two 10mm screws release it and then the electic connection and quick disconnect pipe connections can be uncoupled. Easy matter then as you can clean and fix it on the bench. Pushing the filter out may be dufficult, removing the earth clip which gauges into it helps.

Thanks Vic, had a close look todayn, and the relays constantly clicking, have ordered a new pump and filter, shes done 125000 miles and well i guess its ready. Will let you know how i go on. Thanks again to you and Darmain for you help.
Jeff

I hope that does the trick and you end up with a happy Hippo again.

Hi Darmain & Vic, Fitted new filter and pump today, and sadly no improvement.
Disconnected each injector in turn and the rough idle got a loss worse every time, so I am fairly sure its not an injector prob. Any other ideas anyone???

Fuel rail pressure sensor and overlay harness, common fault with them. If you can get the faults read, it would be easier to diagnose, but TBH, thats where I would go next.


Mike

That or the high pressure pump.

Hi, Thanks for suggestions, meant to mention that fuel pump relay in wheelarch is still clicking, even after fitting new pump & filter, Does this relay click all the tilme anyway?Can you tell me what TBH means? Is there some way of establishing if the fuel rail pressure sensor and overlay harness are ok or not? I am thinking I should bite the bullet & run it to the main stealer on Monday and let them run some diagnostics on it. What do you think. Jeff

The fault log shouuld be able to tell you if the fault is with the HO fuel rail pump or its sensor. Sorry to hear the LP pump wasn't the issue. However, they do failure quite regularly so at least you don't have that worry for a while. Anyonw with the ability to read the system fault log is what you need next, otherwise your working blind.

TBH = To Be Honest.

Can anyone tell me what the part is in front of the pump and filter, and to the left of the sedimentator. I thought this was a relay and its this that clicks. Cheers jeff

I'm guessing its a pressure switch.

Little pump for the FBH (fuel burning heater)

Thanks disco mikey, if this is almost always clicking, does it need replacing. Seems if its clicking the tickover is slightly uneven, but if its not the tickover is fine. I get a lot of grey/white smoke on start up too. I was thinking its the cold weather, cos it seems a bit better on warmer days. its driving me mad! jeff

Jeff Vause said:

Thanks disco mikey, if this is almost always clicking, does it need replacing. Seems if its clicking the tickover is slightly uneven, but if its not the tickover is fine. I get a lot of grey/white smoke on start up too. I was thinking its the cold weather, cos it seems a bit better on warmer days. its driving me mad! jeff

Click to expand...

Hi Jeff

I have a 2001 td4 and my fbh pump clicks when it is cold ie the fbh is running and my engine runs fine think this clicking could be a red herring and not connected to your uneven running

Cheers

Gordon

The FBH pump will click, thats normal.

Have you had a fault code read done?

EDIT: Would still say its more than likely the rail pressure sensor, known fault with them. The fault will read (something along the lines of) Rail Pressure sensor Malfunction, if its faulty

HI All, Had fault codes read, and there weren't any! But the warmer weather ie above 5° C and no problem with tick over! So think it could be related to FBH. Now its running ok will wait and see. Really do appreciate the time taken by you guys to help.
Cheers Jeff

Hi, Just to update this thread, problem has returned and thanks to diagnosis by diesel fitter, new injector fitted and hey presto..... all fixed. But, thanks to all for help with this issue. Jeff

I have the same clicking - but since sorting out my blocked pcv filter & changing my split intercooler hoses my td4 is running sweet as a nut - the ticking is still there for a short while after startup but doesnt seem to affect anything. Im still working out what all the strange random noises are - like 30 seconds after i start i get a whining blowing noise (hot air blows out of a pipe somewhere low on the nearside for a short period and then stops... what the heck is that?