Time For Your Injection!

              FAULT FINDING ON EARLIER DIESEL SYSTEMS

This information covers diesel systems without electronic diesel control, so this relates to most car and light commercials from 1960-1985. This information is a good source for locating any running fault you may have. The single largest cause of problems on early diesel systems is not poor fuel as you would expect, rather it is air, yes air in the fuel lines. This will cause all sorts of havoc with your engines performane so don't under estimate this. Although this is not extensive as there are so many different systems in operation, however I have been using these methods since 1972 and rectified problems on literally thousands of vehicles, it works!  Scroll further down the page you will find details on fault finding on common rail systems too.

Kind regards

Diesel Doctor

Black Smoke

Heavily carboned inlet/exhaust valves (Pressure & heat escaping past the valve seat) Compression test will not pick up this problem, you must have a cylinder leakage test carried out on the engine.

Injectors Hosing

Insufficient air, remove the air intake filter, does the exhaust run any cleaner.

If you have an EGR system remove the intake manifold and investigate for carbon build up around the cylinder heads intake ports.

Overfueling Injection pump.

White Smoke

Injection timing running retarded, check pump to engine timing marks.

Air in the fuel system. Install clear pipe from Injection pump to filter and observe for air in the fuel. Alternatively connect pipe from pump inlet to container of fuel (by-passing the rest of the system). If the engine runs OK, then investigate fuel supply from filter to tank.

Blocked fuel filter 

Blocked feed and return bolts.

Blue Smoke

Engine is burning oil, remove oil filler cap, crank engine, is the engine breathing heavily.

If in doubt carry out a compression test, rule of thumb 300-350 p.s.i most importantly uniformity across cylinders. 

Check fuel filter, is there any black oil residue on the filter, if the answer is yes the most likely source for this will be defective lift pump (if fitted). Defective fuel pump drive seal (if pump is gear/chain driven)

Engine Difficult To Start

Glow plugs

Air in the fuel system. Install clear pipe from Injection pump to filter and observe for air in the fuel. Alternatively connect pipe from pump inlet to container of fuel (by-passing the rest of the system). If the engine runs OK, then investigate fuel supply from filter to tank.

Injector nozzle needle stuck in open position

Lift pump failure (where fitted)

Injection pump

Engine will not switch off

Remove electrical connection to stop solenoid, if the engine stops have the wiring checked.

Remove the stop solenoid, any debris stuck under the stop valve, check with a magnet, if these are metal particles, this could be a sign the pump is breaking up internally.

If the engine is breathing heavily (worn piston rings) it is possible the engine is running on vapour.

Engine stalls and will not start.

Empty fuel tank. I know this is obvious but often missed.

Air in the fuel system. Install clear pipe from Injection pump to filter and observe for air in the fuel. Alternatively connect pipe from pump inlet to container of fuel (by-passing the rest of the system). If the engine runs OK, then investigate fuel supply from filter to tank.

Check timing, has the belt jumped.

Fuel pump stop solenoid. Remove the solenoid assembly, hold the valve and spring inside the solenoid with your thumb, apply approx 12 volts to solenoid (must be earthed). Valve should move in. If faulty replace.

Pump Failure.

Engine Surge at Idle

Air in the fuel system. Install clear pipe from Injection pump to filter and observe for air in the fuel. Alternatively connect pipe from pump inlet to container of fuel (by-passing the rest of the system). If the engine runs OK, then investigate fuel supply from filter to tank.

Blocked return pipe

Blocked inlet or return banjo bolts.

Check adjustment of idle speed screw, also check adjustment of the anti-stall screw (If fitted)

Engine Misfire

Air in the fuel system. Install clear pipe from Injection pump to filter and observe for air in the fuel. Alternatively connect pipe from pump inlet to container of fuel (by-passing the rest of the system). If the engine runs OK, then investigate fuel supply from filter to tank.

Crossed feed and return pipes.

Blocked return pipe

Blocked inlet or return banjo bolts.

Injectors. If the misfire is noticeable at idle speed, place some rag or absorbant tissue aound one injector at a time, release the pipe nut at the Injector and listen for a tone change in the engine. If you can pinpoint the cylinder with the misfire, remove the Injector for testing or swap Injector with another from a 'good' cylinder and see if the problem moves. If the misfire is still evident on the original cylinder carry out a compression/cylinder leakage test.

SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

                  FAULT FINDING ON COMMON RAIL SYSTEMS

I would strongly recommend you have the vehicles ECU code read, this normally varies in price from £35-£50. This will be money well spent and save you hours of fruitless searching.  Below is a list of problems with possible causes, in the event that there is no fault stored in the ECU and a code read is not possible I suggest these items are checked. Please note this is for Common Rail Systems Only These systems do vary so information should be used for reference purposes only. 

SAFETY WARNING

Do not attempt to enter the fuel system until the engine has been stopped for a minimum of 5 minutes. Under no circumstances should high pressure pipes be released while the engine is running.

These systems operate upto and over 2,000bar pressure, these pressures will penetrate skin tissue and could be fatal.

Waheed Braimoh 06.10.2020 12:26

I have a 88 inches diesel engine LANDROVER 1974(Military series III) for my beekeeping operations in Nigeria and will need to get some spares, repairs etc.

paul 09.05.2020 20:26

hi could you send me the instructions for resealing the

LAND ROVER 300TDI bosch ve injection pump thanks Paul

ADS 01.05.2020 11:45

Thank you James. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance

James Moncrieff 01.05.2020 11:24

Excellent service, make sure that you include your email address when you message so that John can send you the instructions!

Dan 05.04.2018 19:25

For my test a question came up and ask, If return line is blocked what will happen to the diesel engine. It will be over pressurized. What will happen.

FREDFMILNE@AOL.CO.UK 19.04.2016 22:53

GETTING LOTS BLUE SMOKE AT LOW SPEEDS

Lynne 17.02.2016 12:24

Merc C220 sport. Automatic. In the morning starts first time then when putting transmission into reverse or drive the engine cuts out. Starts again with no prob

Ian 05.12.2015 04:24

Hi, Alfa Romeo GT, 113K miles. Intermittent surge in power when under load, became more persistant on long journey after excessive period of acceleration

Lucas Kmosola 18.11.2015 12:05

I have noted engine oil in my Massey Ferguson 398 diesel tank. The engine is releasing heavy white smoke and loses power. What my be the cause of these problems

Fanie Opperman 22.10.2015 12:20

Conrod bent ..what is the cause??

Chris 20.10.2015 12:11

Ford transit van stalls after start up, does this a few times then she is fine all day do I have a problem with the fuel side 2010 plate

ads 04.05.2015 20:57

Under NO circumstances should you ever release the high pressure pipe with the engine running on a common rail system. This could prove fatal

kevin 04.05.2015 20:17

black smoke, and misfires, stripped it down and found hole in pipe to map sensor fixed that still same problem crack open all other cylinders plenty fuel

kevin 04.05.2015 20:14

have a misfire in cylinder 4, cracked it open and no fuel coming from the common rail, switch off engine and wait 5 mins and its ok,does it again after 2 mins

will 17.02.2015 21:53

Got you email - thanks for the fast response - cheers, Will

A.D.S. 17.02.2015 21:51

Check again you should have received, any further info please contact me.

Regards
John

will 17.02.2015 21:44

HI - its sjshopsuk thanks purchased Tuesday 10 feb

A.d.s. 17.02.2015 21:03

Hi Will what is your ebay user name

Regards

will 17.02.2015 19:53

HI
I received the Isuzu Diesel Injection Fuel Pump Repair Kit i ordered off you via ebay but there are no instructions and i have checked my spam folder thanks

Martin Fox 14.02.2015 12:25

Do you know where the washer goes inside the DPC boost kit and also which way up does the round metal insert above the filter go please - one end is narrow.

allmakes-diesel-specialist 14.02.2015 10:47

Instructions are emailed. Please check your spam folder

Regards

CC 14.02.2015 10:31

CP1 kit arrived! No Instructions just diagram.
Can you email the torque fig for stardrive bolts + say which no's on diag are which seals + How to remove pump!?

allmakes diesel specialist 12.02.2015 18:59

No problem if you go to the online store you will find
your kit listed CP1

CC 12.02.2015 18:22

p.s. further info to below question, car runs absolutely fine, but just failed it's MOT due to the leaking fuel pump.

CC 12.02.2015 18:14

2005 1.5 CRDi ( 60Kw ) Hyundai Getz has diesel leak underside of the Bosch CR/CP1K3/R60/10S ( 0 445 010 050 ) pump.
Is there a seal kit here that will fit?

ADS 25.01.2015 22:18

Go to ebay item number 161572446889

Martin Fox 25.01.2015 20:24

Yes some diesel came out. Do I need a boost kit or just the diaphragm?

Martin Fox 25.01.2015 14:59

My ford Escort 1.8TD sometimes accelerates by itself. Have you got the parts to fix this?

kitiku nyange 10.11.2014 04:29

i like this and i need it in my email please