Engine - possible fuel line problem

Hi Guys
This is my first post here and like many I am looking for advice relating to a problem my Freelander. - "WHAT" you say, a Freelander with a problem.


I have a 1999/2000 TD4 and for the past year or so I have had an intermittent
engine problem.

It goes something like this :- Most of the time 99% the car drives fine, then without warning the engine will suddenly start to "wallow" like its being retarded or starved of fuel. Pushing down on the accelerator dosent help and the car just jumps and stutters. If I de clutch and thrash the engine it will clear it. There is never any engine light coming on and up untill now it has gone for several months between episodes but it is now happening more often.
I have been reading past threads on fuel pumps but I'm not sure if they describe the same thing as I am having. When I put the ignition to the first click I get a nice healthy hum coming from what I think is the pump under the bonnet but this doesnt help much as you cant hear anything when driving.

I have just had the VCU changed and was really enjoying how well the car felt again and know this starts so I would very much appreciate any thoughts or comments that anyone might have before I start on another round of spending

Thanks in advance
Andy

Hi Brimo, and welcome to LandyZone.

Several points.

We need more info and clarification.

I think if your car is 1999/2000 it's not a TD4 (BMW M47R engine) but a Di or XDi which is better known on here as the Rover L Series engine.

You will also have 2 low pressure fuel pumps. There is one in the tank and one on the bulkhead on the right corner as you look from the front.

Can you hear the in-tank one when you tilt the rear seats and lift the carpet?

The car will run with only one pump, but it puts extra stress/load on the one remaining pump.

What mileage has the vehicle done?

When did you last change the fuel-filter?

Singvogel.

Hi Singvogel and thanks for replying

First up, I really should look at my log book more often and not make assumptions. Car is a TD4 GS and was registered in 2001 and not in 2000 as I thought

I have 15900 miles on the clock and I'm pretty sure that the filter was changed last August when it had its big service (Though I have to take that on trust).

Regarding the in tank pump, what kind of noise should I be hearing (just a quiet hum as the one under the bonnet ?) and should I be able to hear it with just the ignition in position one or with the engine running.

Most of the time the car runs perfectly but this problem drops in without warning. So far I have always managed to keep it running but I fear an impending breakdown

Andy

Andy,

OK then, it is a TD4.

Running an 11year old tank dry could well choke up even a new filter depending on the amount of sludge.

I would change the filter and pour in a bottle of injector cleaner - Red-X, Wynns, or something similar to clean up the tank and the fuel lines as well as injectors and pumps.

You should hear the pumps running for a couple of minutes with the ignition at position 1. It's pretty difficult to hear them if the engine is running. They auto shut-off if the engine is not started. Whirring/purring/buzzing noises are similar.

S,

OK mate
I will stick my head in the boot tomorrow and see if I can hear anything.
Monday morning I will change the filter and redex it. Will report back on progress

And many thanks for the help

Andy

If you lift the rear seat there's an access plate under a flap in the carpet, remove 6 screws and you can check/listen for the in-tank pump operating when ignition first turned on. Be aware operation may be intermittent though...

Stuck my head in the back of the car this morning and was able to hear the in tank pump running. Next step will be to change the filter tomorrow and then run it and see.
Do the fuel pumps show up as a fault on the diagnostic meters or is it just trial and error with these things ?

Andy

So I had my first venture under the bonnet of my Freelander today and managed to change to fuel filter. No thanks to the haynes manual though, it only mentions changing a filter on the L series. Thanks to Ron's website I had enough information. In the end the hardest bit was getting the dammed cartridge out of the plastic sleeve that it was wedged into.

Any how, I took it for a test spin and seems to be running just great but only time will tell.
I am know thinking of getting one of those EGR replacement kits and if that works out I might even invest in a synergy.
Thanks again to everyone for the great info that's posted here.

Andy

ok you may have been lucky with changing your fuel filter and your problem cured , you may have just disturbed the wireing to the fuel rail pressure sensor, the wireing to the sensor is a known source of problems ,
if the problem returns , check it out

Hi John
I hear ya on that although the plug seemed to come out with out much force so I was able to remove it without loads of pulling on the wires - fingers crossed.
Right now I am driving round and round to give it the opportunity to play up again if it wants to but so far its doing ok

Andy