TD4 Turns over but fails to start.

Posting this for a neighbour of mine.

He's got an 03 TD4 and noticed a bit oil on the garage floor, on inspection he noticed it was coming up from dip stick, after speaking with someone they said it may be pressure related and to change the filter which can be found at the top of the engine (sorry I'm not a Diesel boy) behind where plugs sit and under the plastic cover.

Anyhow he changed the filter and also replaced one of the pipes not sure which but it had a crack in it (air or water??)

So he tried to start but it just wouldn't bite, I has said it's got a little harder to start of late (so I'm thinking Glow Plugs) but has anyone come across this before?

What about a bump start to see if it's fuel related??

Your advice would be great as I said I know nothing about diesels...

For the oil problem - was the crankcase filter replaced?

I had a similar starting problem last week. battery was fine - it turned out to be 2 injectors that were shot.
The recover guy originally suggested glow plugs - but the specialist shot this theory down.

Hi Angus.
Oil out of the dip stick will have been the crankcase breather filter, these need changing every service or they can be replaced with a bmw replacement cyclone unit.
Has it slowly been taking longer and longer to start?.
If so probably fuel injector, could also be a bad contact on the common rail fuel pressure sensor (these contacts can become corroded/full of crap and cleaning them can sort it), cam shaft sensor...although this will normally start to show up when the engine is warm, also worth checking fuel is being pumped, if it has a pump in the rear drivers side wheel arch, can you hear it priming/running when the ignition is first switched on?

East Lothian Freelander said:

For the oil problem - was the crankcase filter replaced?

I had a similar starting problem last week. battery was fine - it turned out to be 2 injectors that were shot.
The recover guy originally suggested glow plugs - but the specialist shot this theory down.

Click to expand...

Meant to mention - there was a test that the garage performed on the injectors where they checked fuel that leaked back into the fuel system. Worth checking before going down fule pump route.

If it struggles to start when hot, you can rule out glow plugs.

New injectors are £140 each - I got 2nd hand replacements for £25 each.

Yep, it is called a leak back test. There should be a thread on here that tells you how do it.

injectors, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, pressure sensor on injector rail, camshaft sensor, injectors etc etc.

Is there any smoke from the engine when it's cranking? Can you hear the fuel pump running when you turn the ignition on? Is it even trying to fire when cranking over?

A bit more info may help.

After your name drop and a looksee of Google yes it's the crankcase filter that he replaced.

Injectors could be the issue, but wouldn't it still start but tend to cut out if they were at fault? I'm guessing at all this, point me towards a petrol and I'm OK with these I aint a clue!!

From when I was present he turned on egnition and I could be the system priming but never checked at rear wheel arch.

So is a bump in or out?

ratty said:

Is there any smoke from the engine when it's cranking? Can you hear the fuel pump running when you turn the ignition on? Is it even trying to fire when cranking over?

Click to expand...

No smoke.

Pump priming.

It's cranking but missing the bite to start.

Hi Angus, If one or more injectors has failed it can cause low pressure so the engine won't start.
Leak back test would be my next move after checking the pressure sensor.

Cheers for the info Guys!

I'll mention the test to him, I'll have a look over a few threads and print off the steps, thinking about it the Mrs old Fiesta would cut out now and then (diesel) normally on low revs whilst turning full lock so Part Ex'd it. Garage mentioned later that injectors had gone so chucked it into Jennings for fix.

I know people think I'm mad but I'd rather stick wif my K Series haha!:doh:

if it is an injector fault, it should bump start, or start by spraying easy start into the inlet manifold.

pressure has to be equal on all 4 injectors for it to start, but once it fires it doesn't matter

It depends on how the injector is buggered, first time one of mine went it would run for a few seconds on easy start and then cut out again........this was after it tried to kill me by cutting out at 70 in the fast lane

mjrimmer said:

..could also be a bad contact on the common rail fuel pressure sensor (these contacts can become corroded/full of crap and cleaning them can sort it)...

Click to expand...

We had a problem with this. Took it on and off a couple of times and it started up. Its had a good clean and seems OK now.

What price is a new or recon injector then?

New are approx £230 ish....recon from £90ish

Easy start did the job. Air got in fuel line!!

Sounds sus that fix? :scratching_chin:
When you change the TD4 fuel filter it injects the system with a big chunk of air (as the filter refills) - it is designed to self prime as the fuel pump circulates the fuel back to the tank.
When all the air is expelled the HP rail pressurises and off we go. :confused2:
If it really was a case of not waiting long enough for the air to clear (how did it get in there anyway?) it's an easy fix Nice one!!
- But it may still be an injector leaking or fuel rail sensor problem or even a weak pump as they are all known to come an go.
Easy start will get it going and mask all of these problems but as it runs it does rule out a good few others.
Suggest you keep your options open and a close eye on it for a while.

Nice double Din upgrade by the way.

Well I thought it was going to be the injectors but was gob smacked to find out it was air! He came round and said he rang the AA as he's got homestart and told them he'd changed the filter, he knew straight away that it was air and gave it a spray and away it started. He drove it around for a few hours and no issues and came to mine to confirm. When he got in and started it up in my own opinion it took a second or two longer than it should so poss plugs..... He is going to put new plugs in first to see if this makes things better then if not look again at injectors but going for the lowest price fix first, either way its running at the moment haha.

As for mine yes the head unit install is working real nice and the headrests keep the kids entertained on long trips very happy with the results.