Thread: 300tdi spluttering and dying

blocked pickup, fuel line, sedimentor or fuel line from that to the filter/pump.

Check the items that you changed or refitted. You may have stirred up a small fragment of debris that has entered the system.

Where diesel is leaking from ? - and have you fixed this ?

Check as BN writes above, it may not be picking up and may have been running on what was on the filter - it would be worth dismantling and cleaning the sedimenter if you haven't already done so.

Unlikely but there could be a co-incidental problem or blockage with the lift pump or the fuel shut off - check that it activates when ign is turned on.

Agree, likely debris.

Dual battery system, but only one battery installed? Unused and loose lead shorting and throwing fuel cut off?

Injector pump seals OK, no leaks?

@workingonit - yes a dual battery system, but the second battery has always been dead. There's no blown fuses, and the batteries were looked at between no problem and it starting to choke. Injector pump was leaking a while ago, but I replaced the seals and bush and that fixed that. No problem since.

@ 87County - Yep I've fixed the leak in the tank. From the holes the tank looked immaculate, but dirt trapped inbetween the tray spot welded around the tank must have rubbed through in one small spot - a tank liner sealed that up and no more leaks. Tank was cleaned to apply the tank liner, so shouldnt be any debris there, but maybe something that was previously in the line has moved and blocked something. I've checked the lift pump filter, seems to be clean. Anything else to check on the lift pump? Fuel filter was full each time it died (other than the initial time of me not bleeding the air).

@BN - I'll likely be pulling the tank again then I will check the sedimenter before that though!

As always, appreciate your responses!

Thanks for the update - let us know how the sedimenter turns out.

Nothing else to check on the lift pump but if all else fails (and remember that it's most likely debris), then check that fuel is getting to the distribution pump by cracking a union on that line see if it dribbles when you actuate the lift pump.

Lift pump diaphragms can fail eventually.

300tdis are self priming after a filter change - so you could try not doing your "air bleed" and see how you go - needs to crank a little though so have your battery charged.

Did a bit of reading elsewhere.

Blocked fuel return line can create vacuum in tank.

Pin holes in diaphragm, where pipe coming from turbo meets injector pump.

Pin holes in fuel feed line. I replaced some of my line due to rub marks. Run you finger along the tube to feel for rub marks. The plastic pipe is available from hydraulic suppliers along with push fit connectors.

Originally Posted by sh4kes

----- 1. Lift pump priming handle does nothing -------

If the hand lever is moving through it's travel and not doing anything, the lift pump mechanism would be sitting on top of it's lobe on the cam.

Turn engine over a bit to move the cam lobe into another spot and the lift pump hand lever should be then felt to be working.

Then if there is no fuel coming through to the pump input line and there is no fuel available when pumped, that means the fuel line is either blocked ( producing high vacuum ) or broken ( pumping air ) somewhere.
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