1500 D cutting out

Hi,

after a year of trouble-free running, 12000km and a few modifications, when we returned from holiday the old girl restarted and ran perfectly, then coming home from work she lost power gradually and the engine cut out. (Probably jealous because we took the Bedford on holiday!)

I had a good look but couldn't spot anything unusual, and she restarted easily, and drove normally for the rest of the journey.

I checked the solenoid is clicking on the pump, and restarted this morning, and she did the same trick. After 10km, power loss, then return to normal driving within 30 seconds or so.

There is clearly no major problem since on the way home I hit 130 kmh, but I'm not good with diesels and don't really know where to start.

As power dropped, there was smoke at the exhaust, so it's not burning the diesel properly.

Your thoughts?

I plan to fit a new diesel filter (which I didn't change when I bought the car) to remove, clean and refit the solenoid and to fill the tank which is only 1/3 full, I think.

Is it likely to be dirt in the fuel, in the filter, a sticky solenoid, or…?

I would imagine that the solenoid is either on or off, so the engine wouldn't misfire.

Help!

Robin

Fuel related by the sound of it

I'd change the filter and the tank filter under the seat and start from there

jellybelly said

Fuel related by the sound of it

I'd change the filter and the tank filter under the seat and start from there

Ah, so there's a tank filter under the seat - I presume under the rear bench and accessible through a panel. I'd better order some filters.

I had a look at the banjos on the pump and filter this afternoon, removed and blew through them with the airline, and they all seemed OK.

More news soon!
Robin

Yeah it could be a rusty fuel filter which allows air into the fuel system. Otherwise, you're looking at suspect head gasket (but this is unlikely).

Do you have a clear pipe in the fuel system somewhere near the filter? Its handy to have one for diagnosis.

Hi,

did 70 km today without fault, after blowing through the banjos at the weekend. The filters are ordered and will be fitted ASAP.

Robin

Changed the diesel filter this morning and did an oil change as well. 130 km this afternoon with no spluttering. Hoping the problem is now solved.

One surprise - I deliberately didn't put any diesel in the filter, leaving it to fill itself, and the transparent pipe to the pump had emptied too. Despite this, the car started instantly and ran for a full minute before it had filled the filter and got fresh diesel to the pump, without any sign of a misfire. How much diesel can be inside the pump? There was just a slight change in engine speed when it finally got fuel. Can it really run on diesel-flavoured air?

Robin

Hi,
 1500 klms since the new filter was fitted, including 600 this morning(!) and no spluttering whatsoever. I won't say it goes like a bomb, but it just about keeps up with the traffic.

Problem solved!
Robin

Beauty. Sounds like your 1.5D is still running strongly, they're almost bombproof (provided you keep an eye on the oil and water).

Wish I had mine here with me in France . . . cheaper to run than my T4  ~  Craig

kernewek said

Beauty. Sounds like your 1.5D is still running strongly, they're almost bombproof (provided you keep an eye on the oil and water).

Wish I had mine here with me in France . . . cheaper to run than my T4  ~  Craig

I've got a T4 in at the moment for repairs - with a blown engine… needs a new turbo

Robin