300tdi starting problems

Hello lads,

Had some problems recently with loss of power occasionally. Fitted new lift pump and filter. Turns out I had debris in the tank occasionally blocking the lift tube. 5 small pieces of old pvc insulating tape was the culprit. Runs great now but takes a fair bit of cranking to get her started. Is the fuel draining back into tank when sitting for a while? Any ideas?

Thudmaguffin said:

Hello lads,

Had some problems recently with loss of power occasionally. Fitted new lift pump and filter. Turns out I had debris in the tank occasionally blocking the lift tube. 5 small pieces of old pvc insulating tape was the culprit. Runs great now but takes a fair bit of cranking to get her started. Is the fuel draining back into tank when sitting for a while? Any ideas?

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I would guess at an air leak into the fuel. Try a piece of clear pipe on the fuel line and see if it looks like it has bubbles in.

also check leak off pipes

Plus 1, leak off pipes often cause of air getting in.

Next time you try it after it has been stood a while, slacken off an injector pipe at the injector and see if you get diesel coming out straight away or if you have to crank it a while before diesel gets there, if its there more or less straight away it could be just the battery not quite up to the job now colder weather is here.
If no fuel then it could be air getting in and fuel draining back or the new lift pump may be faulty, will the new pump prime the system using the manual priming lever.