kasfig

Please can anyone advise.
When I turn the starter motor to start the car, it takes ages to get the engine going. Sometimes not at all.
When the engine is warm there is no problem

There is a previous history of injector pump problem - i had a replacement one (second hand) put in.

The mechanic also put in a set of glow plugs (new)

I am at my wits end with the car. the problems ongoing for 9 months now.
thanks and best wishes
Ian

Colin_P

You have what sounds like a classic case of "leak off pipe failure".

These are the cloth covered pipes that connect between the injectors and carry the un-injected fuel back to the tank.

When they age they get brittle and can let air in. This means on each cold start where the car has been stood you are effectively re-bleeding the fuel system each time.

A small amount of air gets in and this allows the fuel to drain back to the tank.

You can get a length of fuel hose very cheaply to sort this. Getting the old ones off is easiest using a stanley knife and cutting them.

Let us know how you get on.

kasfig

Hi there
Thank you so much for the advice. I shall look into this and let you know how I get on.
With best wishes
Ian

uruk hai

How old is the battery ? If several years then get it tested, when mine was on its last it would struggle with a cold start but be fine once the car was warm, the starter motor was the same. It could take ages to start (sometimes mistaken for a duff battery) when it was cold but again be fine when it was warm, the injectors won't fire untill the engine is being turned over at 750 rpm.

As said above, carry out as many checks as you can to narrow it down. I've read several threads where people just through money at a problem and replace costly parts only to find it was something simple like a fuel filter or a battery !

Good luck.

kasfig

Dear Uruk
Thank you for your most kind and helpful advice about the above, which has given me something to consider as well as the fuel hose possibility.
In this regard I think I ought to have the battery tested first as that option is free of charge.
Yours with thanks
Ian

kasfig

Dear Colin
Ive had a look and although I am not a DIY person car-wise, I have spotted the cloth covered piping pieces you referred to .
I notice you said they can be cut off using stanley knife. Does this mean they were stuck down when installed? If so what would have been used. You see when I get the replacement fuel hose will I need to stick them down on the fittings or do they just slot on after the length of piping is cut to size.
Your kind advice in this is appreciated thank you.
Ian

Cossie Sean

few things to look for:

empty the contents of the fuel filter and housing into a container, look for shiny bits.
If the old pump failed it will have filled the fuel system with swarf (bits of shit) blocking injectors etc and this still sits in the system! (hence will be blocking injectors, and destroy your "new" pump)

Also the pump needs to be aligned/timed only done by the IDS computer, having run a ford breakers for 5 years previously, i was VERY used to dealing with this situation daily.

Focus,Fiesta, connect and transit TDDi all suffered the same issues with the VP44 pumps

kasfig

Hi Sean
Thank you so much for your contribution.
Are you saying you dont think it likely to be the piping?

As mentioned previously the injection pump was replaced recently with a second hand one. The guy that fitted it took it to a place to have it timed.

Do you think perhaps the timing is out?

The car had a replacement fuel filter a few weeks ago (that was after the injection pump was fitted)

Now im as confused as ever. What would you say I should do next please? Ive already spent a lot on it and its an old car (T reg)

Your kind advice further would be gratefully received thank you.
Ian

kasfig

Hi just to add some extra information in case this is relevent

Also I had a problem in which I accidentally put petrol in the car, and had to have it removed at a garage. The guy used a compressor to put pressure down the fuel cap hole and the petrol came out near the engine.

Cossie Sean

ok, just to establish some facts on the fault first:

was the bad starting present when you bought the vehicle?

if NOT,

did you run the engine with petrol in the fuel system?

Colin_P

Do the leak off pipes first !

kasfig

Hi Colin
Thanks for that advice. Please do you know if these are glued down or something?
I notice once the car is warm it starts immediately. Maybe that indicates the pipes are the problem?
With thanks
Ian

Colin_P

Yes just a push fit.

And yes as I've described above a perished leak off pipe or two will allow air ingress so every time time you cold start the system is bleeding itself.

The air ingress will be minute and will take hours for enough air to get in to allow the fuel lines to drain which is why a hot / warm start is ok.

Also check the seals around on the fuel filter.

kasfig

Hi Colin
Thanks for the tips about the fuel lines. I will get some piping and give it a go bearing in mind your kind advice also about the filter
With best wishes

Ian
I will let you know how I get on.