300tdi edc 12mpg & cold start problem

Jimbobs said:

Hi, I have a 300tdi auto EDC 1996 Disco. Bad starter from cold but runs fine all day. Mine is only doing 12 mpg. I have tried so far: new injector-egr valve blanking kit-de cat pipe-new lift pump-new optima red top battery-new starter-extra earths-new temp sender on the rocker cover-new fuel filter-K&N air filter-clear fuel filter inline next to the pump to check for air in the diesel, but nothing in it-new heater plugs. When you start it in the morning a big cloud of diesel smoke comes out the back and for the first couple of seconds it sounds like a misfiring petrol engine, then the revs level out and its fine. Anybody got any ideas, i was thinking the pump was too far out to self-adjust or the crank position sensor was duff. When i removed the cover to get to the 3 bolts on the fuel pump 1 of them had already been rounded of and can’t undo it. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. James

Click to expand...

Does it fly along or is it a plodder? Does it smoke when accelerating?

How are you working out your mpg cos I've never seen a figure that low on a 300tdi.

Jimbobs said:

Hi Ratty, yes it does pull well and it has a full size Allard intercooler and pipe set fitted. It does pump out diesel smoke when you accelerate hard. I have had the disco for 7 years now and it’s got gradually worse over the past 2. I’m not even using it at the moment because my xj6 jag is cheaper to run. James

Click to expand...

So the fuel pump is tweaked right up then. That'll explain the rounded off bolt on the fuel pump.

does it fire first turn of the key or do you need to crank it for a bit to start it when cold?

Hi Ratty, once it’s been started, it starts first turn all day but if it’s been left overnight it will need more turns and then when it starts to fire it splutters and coughs sounding like its only firing a couple of cilinders then runs smooth (that’s if the battery doesn’t die first). James

Jimbobs said:

Hi Ratty, once it’s been started, it starts first turn all day but if it’s been left overnight it will need more turns and then when it starts to fire it splutters and coughs sounding like its only firing a couple of cilinders then runs smooth (that’s if the battery doesn’t die first). James

Click to expand...

sounds like you're getting air in the fuel. First thing to check is the leak off pipes on the injectors.

relaced all the leak off pipes with new ones and have put a clear section of pipe on the inlet pipe just before the pump and no air going in that way. I have also checked the fuel pick up under the boot floor and the sedementer and that was all ok too.

Jimbobs said:

relaced all the leak off pipes with new ones and have put a clear section of pipe on the inlet pipe just before the pump and no air going in that way. I have also checked the fuel pick up under the boot floor and the sedementer and that was all ok too.

Click to expand...

Are there any air bubbles at all when it's being cranked over when cold?

no

ratty said:

So the fuel pump is tweaked right up then. That'll explain the rounded off bolt on the fuel pump.

does it fire first turn of the key or do you need to crank it for a bit to start it when cold?

Click to expand...

Thought you couldnt tweak the EDC type pump?

Hi, you can only tweak it by advancing or retarding the pump

I also have another problem with the disco and that’s a battery drain. If you leave it over night without disconnecting the battery you will only get one turn out of the engine. Tested the alternator and that’s giving 14.5 volts and in the morning the battery has only 10v and will drop more the longer you leave the disco. I have tried bridging the earth cable to the negative battery terminal with a circuit tester and the bulb lights up for a second, indicating a battery drain but then fades and goes out. I have also tried this method but removing the fuses one by one but still it lights up for a second.

[/IMG]

i have uploaded a couple of pics of the pain in the ass disco and a couple of the E Reg defender i have just built (MOT next Monday-fingers crossed).

OK I thought I would draw this post to a conclusion as I have sorted the problem. I finally slackened the three bolts on the front of the edc fuel pump and rotated the pump slightly- put everything back and it started without the heater plug un the first turn of the key. Years of nightmare starting and that’s all it bloody was.

Jimbobs said:

OK I thought I would draw this post to a conclusion as I have sorted the problem. I finally slackened the three bolts on the front of the edc fuel pump and rotated the pump slightly- put everything back and it started without the heater plug un the first turn of the key. Years of nightmare starting and that’s all it bloody was.

Click to expand...

I owe you a beer.

Same problems and the same fix for me, well sort of, my pump was already turned clockwise as far as it would go.... so much buggering about with the belt and stuff but effectively the same fix.

Thx