(Very) Intermittent non-starter Td4

Hi All,

Got a Td4 with 91k on the clock, and a slightly worrying fault has occurred twice - Saturday and this evening -with it absolutely fine and normal all the rest of the time.

Basically, first turn of the key it nearly fires, then it just turns over without starting. Turn right off and on a few times, and eventually it starts as normal.

It's been suggested it may be a fuel flow issue. Maybe a filter in need of changing??

Any ideas welcome.

Thanks

Oscar

This sounds very similar to the problem I had. Was due to seal leakage in an injector. The troublesome injector leaks the HP rail back to the spill line and then there insn't sufficient pressure to open the other injectors.
There have been several threads "TD4 wont start" in which the method of diagnosis has been described. The test is simple and quick to do but getting an injector out that has been in so long may be another problem. Good luck

Greetings,
This may also be a 'sticky' electric fuel pump. Pre 2002 have an in-tank pump and another next to the fuel filter below under bonnet fusebox. You should hear both pumps priming up 'buzzing' after ign 'on' for about 30secs. The engine bay pump is prone to sticking which can be cured temporarily with a 'thud' from your fist. Also a new fuel filter is always worth doing on a TD4, they cost little and often get results. D..

Thanks chaps, that gives me something to go on. So it could be...

Dodgy Fuel Pump
Dodgy Injectors, including possible Leak Off (seems most likely?)
Cam Sensor (seems most likely?)
Dodgy wiring somewhere
Crank Sensors
Fuel Rail sensor

Be good to know where the cam sensor is located. Anybody know?!

Cheers,

Oscar

Oscar22 said:

Thanks chaps, that gives me something to go on. So it could be...

Dodgy Fuel Pump
Dodgy Injectors, including possible Leak Off (seems most likely?)
Cam Sensor (seems most likely?)
Dodgy wiring somewhere
Crank Sensors
Fuel Rail sensor

Be good to know where the cam sensor is located. Anybody know?!

Cheers,

Oscar

Click to expand...

Cam sensor tends to give problems only when the engine is warm, luckily it's easy to get at, located on top of the cam housing to the left as you look at the engine from the front, held by one torx bolt.D..

my money's on injectors

Optimus Prime said:

my money's on injectors

Click to expand...

Same place as mine then.

Keep up the feedback Oscar and hopefully we can pinpoint the problem to avoid you fitting parts unnecessarily.D..

Will do.

I'll probably actually wait until it's more of a persistent problem, but thanks for all the advice - at least I'll know where to start when it does become more persistent!!

Cheers,

Oscar

I have the same issue. As stated earlier a quick thump on the under bonnet fuel lift pump seems to resolve the issue. Not really a long term solution though.

[email protected] said:

I have the same issue. As stated earlier a quick thump on the under bonnet fuel lift pump seems to resolve the issue. Not really a long term solution though.

Click to expand...

Yes if that pump responds to a quick 'thud' it might be worth cleaning its electrical connections but it's probably coming to the end of it's useful life.

Just to let you all know, twas the CAM sensor.

A fault code had been stored.

Thansk for all replies.

Oscar

Had the same problem on my wifes 51 Plate TD4 Diesel Auto.

Done all the usual checks and changes including main fuel pump, fuel filter etc. Even had a diagnostics check with no faults reported in the memory.

In desperation, following advice on other threads, put on a new camshaft sensor. Hey presto - problem has gone away. Keeping fingers crossed it's not just a fluke.

Hope it might work for you.

Good luck.

before you start messing with it try putting some injector cleaner in with the fuel first.
Like redex.