↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Tdi > Engine starting problems
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 2 12>
Print this entire topic · 
trickster5000



Member Since: 12 Dec 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 479

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Engine starting problems
Hi,

So after leaving it overnight, the engine fires once at the turn of the key, then has to be cranked over several times before it starts. Since it fires once, I'm guessing there's a little diesel in the top of the injectors but then nothing after that and so has to be cranked until the fuel reaches the injectors again.

I have replaced the fuel lift pump and checked all the fuel leak-off pipes for leaks or openings - nothing obvious. Is there any way to properly check for air leaks in the fuel leak-off system?

Edit: Engine is a 300tdi out of a disco if it helps Matt.

'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html
Post #587966 27th Dec 2016 1:55pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Check your leak off pipes again.

I had the exact same thing where it would start on first turn then stall. Crank it over for a while and then it would start.

Traced it to one of the leek of pipes had a hairline crack which was letting in air.

Also check that the banjo nuts are done up tight, they can occasionally work loose.

Failing that, check all your other pipework for leaks and your stop solenoid on the injector pump. Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #587970 27th Dec 2016 2:48pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
trickster5000



Member Since: 12 Dec 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 479

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Just been out to have another look at the leak-off pipes. I think the safest thing to do is just buy a whole new leak-off system inc banjos and copper washers. Whilst I can't find an actual crack, the braided pipes are very frayed and worn and look very suspect. Only 20 odd quid and I think it'll fix the problem.


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge
 Matt.

'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html
Post #587972 27th Dec 2016 3:18pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3346

United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Thumbs Up Good shout. Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #587974 27th Dec 2016 3:27pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
trickster5000



Member Since: 12 Dec 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 479

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Little update to this:

Looks like I'm still having problems even after a completely new set of leak-off pipes inc. banjos and sealing washers.


Click image to enlarge


I'd not noticed it as much recently as we've been using it more often. It seems to be a really slow leak since leaving it 1-3 days and it'll start first time, however, anything longer than that takes a fair bit of cranking to get it started. Can anyone suggest what to check next (just had a new fuel lift pump and new leak off pipes)?

Need to get this sorted asap as it's putting a lot of strain on battery/starter motor etc. Matt.

'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html
Post #618130 20th Apr 2017 12:43pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554

check for air leak in your fuel system sound like fuel may be draining back on fuel lift side i.e. between tank and filter and lift pump
Post #618161 20th Apr 2017 3:31pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
trickster5000



Member Since: 12 Dec 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 479

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Thanks for the reply. Is there an easy way to check if the system is letting in air? I've had a good poke around with a torch, checked all union nuts are done up tight etc, nothing looks obvious. Matt.

'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html
Post #618183 20th Apr 2017 4:58pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554

i have used clear fuel line to check for this problem in the past

also check your injector pump run sol is working 100%
Post #618206 20th Apr 2017 7:03pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
trickster5000



Member Since: 12 Dec 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 479

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Thanks for your help. I'll have to dig around in the garage see if I can find some clear piping.

In the meantime, I lifted the driver's seat cover to have a look at the top of the tank. Does the following look normal for a 26 year old car? It looks quite corroded around the elbows, but I can't see any holes, is there any sort of gasket or seal here that could be replaced?


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge
 Matt.

'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html
Post #618244 20th Apr 2017 8:20pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
fuel filter sealed correctly? not an old seal in there too? or its come undone?

was going to post you can just use any POL resistant pipe for the leak off pipes rather than new banjo chain, bnut they look dry. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #618327 21st Apr 2017 8:58am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
trickster5000



Member Since: 12 Dec 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 479

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Thanks, but I replaced the fuel filter a couple of weeks ago when I serviced it. Ran a bit of diesel round the seal and it doesn't look to be leaking at all.

This evening I'm going to take the stop solenoid out, test it and replace the little O ring, see if that's causing a problem. Also check for wear on the plunger. Matt.

'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html
Post #618377 21st Apr 2017 11:40am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
I remember a similar problem with a 300tdi Discovery that was eventually traced to a corrosion pin hole in the elbow from the top of the tank. It was a Censored to find and was temporarily cured by coating the whole thing with epoxy resin, which proved the diagnosis. Barring anything more obvious, it'd be worth a go with yours. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #618383 21st Apr 2017 12:12pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
trickster5000



Member Since: 12 Dec 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 479

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Thanks LRA. Following the golden rule of troubleshooting, changing one thing at a time, I will only do the stop solenoid tonight, if that doesn't fix it I'll try the epoxy resin trick sometime next week. Matt.

'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html
Post #618397 21st Apr 2017 1:26pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
so the fault was there prior to the filter change?

you wont see diesel leaking if its drawing in air and diesel is running back to tank Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #618417 21st Apr 2017 2:37pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
trickster5000



Member Since: 12 Dec 2015
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 479

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Arles Blue
Yes, which makes me think it's not the filter especially as I did moisten the seal before putting it on Matt.

'89 90 CSW with a 3.5 V8 conversion (WIP) - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46809.html
Post #618435 21st Apr 2017 3:45pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 2 12>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums