Why with a full tank of fuel?

I posted a few weeks back regarding the 'difficult start' my 300tdi is experiencing,
but I thought I'd post a new thread with the following to see if catches any extra eye's as she's still suffering!

She'd never failed to start, but the first one of the day was always difficult with it taking a few turns to start.
That was until the other week when she started on the flick of the key no matter what the weather or how long she had been standing!

The only difference was that the timing belt, leak off pipes, crank shaft seal and water pump had all been replaced.
Oh, and I filled the fuel tank for the first time since owning her!

Now the tank is back down to the three quarters mark, which is where she was when I bought her, and the difficult start is back!
So, any new suggestions considering the new info?

Neil

check the depth of the pipe that feeds the engine in the tank...

Well, fill it up to the brim and see if that makes it any better. Sounds to me like the fuel pump may not be generating sufficient pressure when the level is low. Or maybe the pickup in the tank has deteriorated, allowing it to suck air if the level is low. It's hard to see how the other changes would make that much of a difference.

I used to get a problem similar when I parked it on a hill (facing upwards). It turned out to be the leak off pipes were a little loose and they let air drain back into the injectors system. Tightened them up and also replaced the little copper washers and fine after that

Mate has same problem with Renault van. Dealer says pump on way out. Sorry

I had same on a renault van only when parked on hill facing forward over night? Did it for 4 years till I sold it! Back to the land rover id top up the tank if that resolves the problem first point of call is the fuel pick up.

Thanks for the comments.

If it was the fuel pump would I experience problems once she has started?
Plus, it's only the first start of the day that has an issue unless she's been left for several hours.

Kinvara said:

Thanks for the comments.

If it was the fuel pump would I experience problems once she has started?
Plus, it's only the first start of the day that has an issue unless she's been left for several hours.

Click to expand...

check all the fuel lines.also the return from fuel pump to tank for the over fuel,i had a problem and found air was leaking in the fuel pump from a cracked return hose.

Kinvara said:

Thanks for the comments.

If it was the fuel pump would I experience problems once she has started?
Plus, it's only the first start of the day that has an issue unless she's been left for several hours.

Click to expand...

It would suggest air is getting into the lines, first start of the day is bleeding air out so it will be fine after that, overnight its being left long enough for air to get back into the lines. I would check for airated fuel at the filter housing when you try the first start of the day. Common suspects are sedimenter filter, lift pump or corroded fuel lines, worth checking/replacing them all anyway...

There's no sedimentor fitted to defenders - but they were offered as an option when new. A major culprit of air in the lines is the injector return pipes that return unused fuel from the injectors back to the tank via the injection pump. But as Jon said check for air in the line to the fuel filter first

lift pump fitted new pump and it's fine , mine would run for a while then only tick over not rev up,worth a try for around £20.

Steve

Just updating my threads following some work that now appears to have helped the starting issue I had.
Starter motor packed in last week and a reconditioned LR starter has now been fitted.
She still has a fuel leak at the back, but with the new starter the start up is so much better.

Thanks for all the comments everyone, much appreciated.

Put some redex in it that will help