[tom69]

my disco has packed up. funny really, cause its the first time in ages i wasn't thrashing the **** out of it. anyhoo, what does this sound like to you lot? just driving along at a sensible rate of knots when it just dies on me. i restart it after having to be cranked over a few times and runs as normal for about 30 secs then gradually dies off. it will remain running at about 750rpm after this 30second 'good' stint but only with full throttle. tried to have a look but its a bit dark.
initial thoughts as to what im up against. this time!
btw its a 96 300tdi.

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

sounds like fuel starvation - pump?

 

[Stickybackbob]

Sounds like fuel starvation to me. When did you last change the filters? Clean the sedimentor? Any sign of leaks in the pipes? could be air in the system?

 

[tom69]

dunno snow! sounds spensive. hopin lift pump but that was new last xmas. says so in service history and it still looks pretty shiny.

 

[tom69]

i never have but iv only done about 4000 miles init. the main thing is that you all seem to think its fuel which is good. as opposed to electrical, which is bad. (can't change a battery without a fire extinguisher about!!)

 

[Stickybackbob]

Diesels don't use electric to run like petrols do

 

[yella]

i'd go for yer diesel filter first

 

[tom69]

yeah but with all this black magic, wisidory and ecu stuff i just dont know where to begin on em. give me a good ol n/a 90.

 

[tom69]

i have got a newfilter somwhere so i'll be tryin that first. and also clean that segment thing stickybackbob said about. is that that filter type thing at the back near the wheel?

 

[Stickybackbob]

Sedimental thing is the one near the tank. Fuel filter is dead easy but you need to bleed the system when you've changed it. There's a little pump thingy on the drivers side of the engine to do it. Do you have a haynes manual?

 

[tom69]

ey! got a manual! ford escort circa 1985-1991!!!!. no seriously tho i have got a haynes but its for a 200tdi. similar? or is it time to invest again.

 

[slob]

Diesels don't use electric to run like petrols do

you sure about that?

 

[Stickybackbob]

Hi Slob, wondered when it would be my turn

Now I'm no expert but my basic knowledge tells me that a petrol engine uses a spark to ignite the fuel in the cylinder thus using elastictrickery. Diesels rely on heat generated from compression (or glowplugs to start with) to ignite fuel. So, to stop a petrol, you cut the electric circuit but to stop a diesel, you stop the fuel (albeit by means of electric)

How am I doing?

 

[Stickybackbob]

tom69 ey! got a manual! ford escort circa 1985-1991!!!!. no seriously tho i have got a haynes but its for a 200tdi. similar? or is it time to invest again.

Sorry mate, have no idea of the 200 layout. Got a 300TDi myself.

 

[Adz]

ey! got a manual! ford escort circa 1985-1991!!!!. no seriously tho i have got a haynes but its for a 200tdi. similar? or is it time to invest again.

If it's a reasonably recent one, i.e. less than 10 years old, the Haynes that covers the 200 covers the 300... Defenders up to 1998 it should say on the cover. TD5 and later will be excluded.

Cheers,

 

[slob]

Hi Slob, wondered when it would be my turn

(albeit by means of electric)

How am I doing?

pretty good so far, you've managed to contreedick yerself with only a little help..

 

[Stickybackbob]

Ok, you got me on that one but can you see my point?

Petrols use an electrical circuit to ignite the fuel on a continuing basis (sparks), diesels don't.

So, for the problem here, it's most likely to be a fuel problem than a leccy one. If it was an electric fault, it would most likely to be a pump somewhere (do Disco's use electric fuel pumps? Told you I was no expert) or even maybe the cut-off solenoid dithering but the report of being able to tickover surely rules that one out. Leaving that elusive pump.

 

[tom69]

he he, i fixed it! lift pump fudged. had a look and took of some pipes and it no work! took it to felthams (local landy speacialist) and he said that the cheap chinese crap pumps arn't worth it for £22 when a genuine landy bit is only £13 dearer.
chears chaps. another case solved.