engine turns over but won't start

I feel that I've run out of ideas with my '96 Discovery 300tdi (without engine management, originally with EGR, but EGR valve previously removed, SPIDER originally fitted, but removed some time ago) and wonder if anyone can help. The basic problem is that it won't start. The symptoms are that the engine turns over healthily and after about 10 secs of turning over little puffs of what smells like unburnt fuel appear out of the exhaust pipe. So the starter motor is working (and I have checked the start motor solenoid has +12v), also the fuel stop solenoid has +12v (and the fuel coming out the exhaust presumably indicates the engine is fueled). I've also checked that the glow plugs are receiving +12v when they should be on and even changed them for new ones. I wondered about air in the fuel - unfortunately I have something installed in the boot, so it is hard to check condition of the pipes there, but I opened the bleed screw on the fuel filter, operated the pump and fuel squirted out, with no obvious air bubbles. I have tried with the starter on for at least 30 secs on a number of occasions and there is no sign of actual combustion.

The history to the sorry situation is that I parked the car where it is about two weeks ago (it's a slope, with the front of the car lower than the rear). I discovered about one week ago that I couldn't start it. I have been working on electrics inside the car (in fact on a device to interrupt the starter motor solenoid and fuel stop solenoid power supplies). This device is not currently fitted, and I have checked in the engine that both solenoids are receiving +12v so I don't think I've inadvertenly affected either circuit (though obviously the problem has been caused by something I've done!). I've also removed the battery-backed sounder (the batteries were flat) - just to let you know, in case there is someway that with that missing it could cause the engine not to start.

I have bought the 300tdi without electronic engine management because I believed it was pretty simple to get going, and fairly immune to electrical problems. So is there some way that my electrical tamperings can have caused a problem, given that the engine turns over, fuel puffs appear out the exhaust and the glow plugs receive power? I thought that was everything required!! Before this the engine always started very easily and quickly, on the first attempt - in fact much more easily than the petrol engine cars of my parents!

Next step is to get the RAC to tow it to a garage on Monday, so any suggestions would be very gratefully received!!!

the 300 engine should start without glowplugs...

mine wouldnt start one day, and it was after messing with the fuel filter..!

check the fuel filter again, make sure that the drain plug on the bottom of it is not broken and is air tight.

hi can you hear fuel cut-off solenoid clicking (if not try tapping it if you still don't hear it try running a live feed to it and lsten but remember if you get it started you MUST stop engine by removing this feed Dont just turn off at key) if you can bleed filter again using manual lift pump lever then loosen injector pipes a little on each injector and turn over several times this will remove any airlocks (hopefully) check if fuel is getting through to injectors then retighten injector pipes and try to start

I can hear the fuel cut-off solenoid click. Don't the puffs out the exhaust (which smells of unburnt diesel) indicate it's getting fuel?

Disconsolate said:

I can hear the fuel cut-off solenoid click. Don't the puffs out the exhaust (which smells of unburnt diesel) indicate it's getting fuel?

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you might have an airlock if you have you will have to bleed the system as detailed earlier try doing this and let me know what happens..