A non-starter

Hi, all, been almost a year since my last confess... I mean freelander problem.

Been driving absolutely fine, no problems bar a flat battery. New battery installed last week.

Drove to work in the heavy rain, drove home in the rain (not sure if the weather will help diagnose this, but hey it sets an atmosphere) popped to the shops on way to pick wifey up from station with the kids. Jumped out, grabbed some bits, jumped back in and no go.

The engine turns but nothing kicks in. Almost like a fuel starvation. First impressions, and that of RAC man is fuel pump.

Had high pressure pump replaced last year as well as a cam sensor. Also had a smoking problem after a service 6 months back, the garage said turbo, I said change the crankcase breather first, problem solved.

Am I looking at another fuel pump problem? Could the sensor have failed once more?

Tried this morning (dry weather) still no starter.

Thanks for any advice.

Assuming its a TD4 you have give the fuel pump a thump and see if it starts running, they often fail but a thump usually gets them going for a bit

Having had this exact problem with my 2001 TD4 (Car stil in barn waiting for part)..

Don't be fooled into thinking that when you tap the fuel pump and it starts that that's the problem: it might well be but check the supply from the rear pump also!

If your set-up is the same as mine:

To check fuel supply from the tank undo the 'easy-connect' joint below the under-bonnet pump, there's a multi-point connection about the same level as your wheel arch access hole- it's easier to access than the connection directly to the fuel pump. Turn on the ignition when the pipe is off and you should see diesel flowing (not too much spillage to worry about).

If it is flowing from here connect the pipe back on and try disconnecting the outlet pipe (another 'easy-connect' joint) from the fuel filter, switch on again and see if there is fuel flowing (put a container under the pipe for spillage.) If no fuel from there then it is likely to be the under-bonnet pump.

It is possible in some rare cases (according to my friendly Landy garage) that the uner-bonnet pump will not have enough pressure to keep a constant fuel flow.

Bon courage.