300tdi stalling every few minutes

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H

Hilton Green

Member
Posts
17
Location
London
All of a sudden this has started.
This morning it took a few turns to start which isn’t normal and made me think something wasn’t quite right.
After 15 minutes (in stop-start London traffic) the tickover starts dropping then a few minutes later it just starts spluttering and stalls. About 10 seconds on the starter with foot flat to floor it coaxes it back to life then after a rev-up is OK/normal tickover/response for another few minutes then the same again and stalls.
Have stumbled back home and truck is safely outside my house now...thankfully not in the middle of nowhere.
Anybody have any ideas what could be the problem?
Cheers, Hilton
 
Thanks very much for the replies chaps!

I've ordered a new fuel filter.
Looked at the air filter which seems OK.
Dumb question, sorry: what/where are the spill pipes?

Will let you know the update in a couple of days when the filter's replaced.

Cheers, Hilton.
 
Hilton Green said:
Thanks very much for the replies chaps!

I've ordered a new fuel filter.
Looked at the air filter which seems OK.
Dumb question, sorry: what/where are the spill pipes?

Will let you know the update in a couple of days when the filter's replaced.

Cheers, Hilton.
Click to expand...

Spill pipes are the ones that link the injectors to each other and from no1 injector back into the fuel system.
 
Dont know if you have one fitted..check for the sedimenter and clean if its there..but like everyone said, it could be drawing air into the fuel system. The sedimenter has a cover seal which can leak too, the plastic wing bung is bound to break easily, buy one before hand along with the two seals.
 
My 10pence is lift pump but as others have said filter and pipes first. When you change the filter you'll know if the lift pump is any good if it primes the new filter or not.
 
Update:
I've changed the fuel filter.
Looked for the sediment (but embarrassingly, can't find it!!).
The engine fired up but just stalled within a few seconds.
Starts again with foot to the floor and about 10 seconds cranking but simply won't move unless full revs then stalls immediately.

Trying to fix it myself before I just phone the garage for them to do it but that's accepting defeat after really not trying much.

What's 'Plan B'? Any ideas?

Cheers guys
 
Hilton Green said:
Update:
I've changed the fuel filter.
Looked for the sediment (but embarrassingly, can't find it!!).
The engine fired up but just stalled within a few seconds.
Starts again with foot to the floor and about 10 seconds cranking but simply won't move unless full revs then stalls immediately.

Trying to fix it myself before I just phone the garage for them to do it but that's accepting defeat after really not trying much.

What's 'Plan B'? Any ideas?

Cheers guys
Click to expand...
is there much fuel pumping from lift pump if you slacken the filter feed pipe
 
Have you checked the lift pump stop solenoid? When I got mine the leccy connection was just hanging in the crimp made a similar on and off issue till I noticed
 
Hilton Green said:
All of a sudden this has started.
This morning it took a few turns to start which isn’t normal and made me think something wasn’t quite right.
After 15 minutes (in stop-start London traffic) the tickover starts dropping then a few minutes later it just starts spluttering and stalls. About 10 seconds on the starter with foot flat to floor it coaxes it back to life then after a rev-up is OK/normal tickover/response for another few minutes then the same again and stalls.
Click to expand...

Hello, as James has suggested rather than replace everything test some of the parts 1st.

Firstly (and this must be me being thick), what is the engine in the defender? I know for the 200tdi & 300tdi use manual lift pumps so to check your getting fuel into the system you can pump them manually (its a little lever under the pump, take the small bolt out from the top of the fuel filter and pump it manually). I believe from the TD5 onward they use electric pumps, last time I played with one of these you hear them when the ignition is on.

Check 1st that there is fuel if getting into the system. From the pump the fuel goes to the injection pump to the injectors then the spill off lines which put fuel back into the tank. When I got my 200tdi it hardly ran but did not work well due to a blocked fuel system, a new fuel filter and fresh filter with some cleaner fixed that, but it did run with a fault fuel filter until I replaced it when it split. The old ones 200-300tdi can run when pretty buggered. The only real other thing to go wrong on the 200-300td is the fuel stop solenoid, but I think when these go its like a switch, i.e. running then not.

However, you said London, therefore maybe its a later model of Defender in which case I have no idea. Sorry.
 
If you get lots of diesel from the lift pump and are not sucking air in then maybe..

Dodgy connection to stop solenoid? Needs 12v to keep the solenoid open while you drive. If the wire or connection is wobbly then the solenoid will keep trying to stop the engine.....
 
Well guys.....thanks for all the input so far.

Here’s where I’m at.
Have just replaced the lift pump. When I pulled the old one off it was very weak and no spring/pump pressure so thought that must be the problem.
However the problem is still there. As soon as I try to open the gas, it stalls.
I’ve opened the top of the filter housing slightly to test pump pressure and it sprays everywhere so that seems OK.
I checked the solenoid wire and that’s sound.
So now I’m a bit flummoxed!

To recap: It takes a while to fire up. Will idle OK with no throttle but as soon as I try to gently open it up, it’s totally unresponsive and any more throttle and it’ll stall.....yes, just like it’s run out of juice!

Open to anymore suggestions before I admit defeat??!

Thanks again for the suggestions so far
 
Take the stop solenoid off, remove the plunger, put the solenoid back on. The plunger is pulled up by the solenoid so can get sticky and not open properly.
If it starts and runs properly you will have to stall the engine to get it to stop.
 
Try opening the pipes at each injector to see if diesel is reaching all cylinders and if it dies a bit when you open each one. This will also bleed it properly. Stop solenoid check first though.
 
a sedimenter
 

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