Thread: Td5 starting problem - any ideas

id be checking the pickup in the tank......it may be blocked......or possibly even the breather for the tank.......


next time it wont start......remove the fuel cap and see what happens......

the problem sounds like its coming from before the pump......as the pump is strugling......
so i dont think the injectors are the cause......or anything up to that point.......

could be a damaged pickup as already mentioned but it could also be the fuel pressure regulator sticking open and allowing the pressure to drop/not build...

double check the oil levels as an injector pumping dieso into the oil is bad and can occasionally give some funny symptoms (based on cats which use a similar injector).

Also remove the fuel return line and make sure that with the engine stationary that clear bubbless fuel comes through (a few little ones are ok) and then start the engine if it the fuel flow has a hissy fit then you might have an injector problem.

I'd connect a pressure gauge in place of the fuel temp sender to verify that the pressure is low. At least if its not then you can rule out the fuel pump, filter and pressure regulator although there could still be a problem with the pressure regulator housing, including the mesh filter that sits in the head under the regulator housing.

Note that the fuel pump runs continuously except if the engine is not started within a short time (30 secs IIRC).

Pumping the acceletator does nothing until the engine has started, as the pedal input is ignored whilst cranking.

if you hold the accelerator flat to the floor prior to starting and keep it held flat to the floor the engine goes into purge mode....

DOnt do this repeatedly.

Update and info for others. They changed the injector seals and it appears to have fixed the problem.

Normal starting (at least the last few days) and the fuel pump is completely silent. I didn't notice any excessive fuel usage prior to this or increase in oil level however in hindsight probably noted a progressive performance reduction.

How full is the sump!!!!
Didnt I read on here that when they leak it goes into the sump????
May have my wires crossed but could need a oil change asap.Im sure others will pick up on this.
Andrew

Dear all

I had the same problem as I mentioned in the previous comment but now the problem have increased. The 2004 disco td5 does not start at all even with an ignition spray. I read every thread about this issue and summarized all the possible problems.

glow plugs. cranckshaft sensor, fuel line, earth wiring, filter sensor, non return diesel, injectors loom, injectors rings, fuel temp sensor, eco reset, dirty injector harness, immobilizer and fuel purge. DID I MISS SOMETHING!!!

And we checked and fixed them all

Now they are telling me it might be a weak ingine itself!! cause we did all the other possibilities.
The issue is that the previous owner flatted the Head of engine after he drove without water. and he says now the problem of the ignition issue started after he did the head.

pump is new, no white/gray smoke at start (when it used to start )

PLEASE, some help. i got lost with all the possibilities and its so costy,

thanks in advance

zaher

do a compression check and leak down check on the 4 pots that have glow plugs.

your initial symptoms were cause by lower injector seal failure that let combustion gasses into the fuel gallery. This set of symptoms are probably a gasket thats gone between cylinders and is robbing you of compression.