Thread: 300tdi Defender won't start

The first thing to check is if there is fuel pressure spurting out of the fuel filter bleed screw.
It's not unusual that even a new lift pump isn't working properly .. or at all!

ie. don't assume that it just works coz it's new.

Crack the bleed screw, crank it over and fuel should come out.

First off, has the fuel cut off wire, fallen off or is it loose. easy to miss. Dont go spending money on everything. One step at a time. If your not mechanically minded. Ask for someone in your area to come and help you. Shout them a brew.

1. can you here the cutoff click when you turn ignition on. if Yes move on.

2 As previously said does it bleed up. if your not sure Search the forum or google / youtube is your friend.

from my experience 300 tdi are nearly bullet proof.

Did they use original fittings?are they tight ? Keep us in the loop on what you find. if the plastic hose are original perhaps they crimped one and now its split

have you played with the fuel sedimenter at the rear.

Baz

Thanks for the info.
The NRMA said he'd send another guy tomorrow afternoon seeing he couldn't sort it.
I'll mention those possible solutions to him.
I have tried draining the rear fuel sediment a little.
Seems weird that the problem is intermittent (often weeks with it starting fine).
Had been starting no problems for weeks after lift pump was replaced.

Cheers

The fuel sedimenter has a nylon type screw, these are known to crack, given it an intermittent fault check the wire on the back of the injector pump as per my previous post, make sure its tight.

Sounds like a leaking lift pump to me.
I know it’s new but that doesn’t mean it good.
As Baz said it must bleed using the manual pump. If it doesn’t replace it.

NRMA finally got it going after spraying some 'Start Ya Bastard' on the air filter.
He suggests I see an auto electrician as it could be glow plugs. Last time I had the problem was after driving for a while so engine would have been warm. Lift pump I got from Coopers was slightly different from my original. The primer doesn't do it's job but they assured me it's the correct lift pump.

Originally Posted by scoota

NRMA finally got it going after spraying some 'Start Ya Bastard' on the air filter.
He suggests I see an auto electrician as it could be glow plugs. Last time I had the problem was after driving for a while so engine would have been warm. Lift pump I got from Coopers was slightly different from my original. The primer doesn't do it's job but they assured me it's the correct lift pump.

I am sure others will chime in with different opinions but my TDi's (had 4 in D1s and Defers) have always fired up straight away ( e.g. glow plugs had no time to do their job before starting), so be cautious of blaming the plugs for everything.

Originally Posted by scoota

NRMA finally got it going after spraying some 'Start Ya Bastard' on the air filter.
He suggests I see an auto electrician as it could be glow plugs. Last time I had the problem was after driving for a while so engine would have been warm. .....

Very unlikely to be glow plugs then.
Sometimes(dunno what I'm thinking ) I try to start mine from stone cold without glow plug time ..., and it cranks for about 10 sec minimum before catching. But has to be stone cold, and cold ambient.