Is my diesel injection pump knackered?!

I've recently bought a 109 series 3 diesel (later 2.5 N/A fitted) to play with.

While collecting up parts to return to a more standard trim I've been running it localy instead of the disco (nothing like getting regular use to get familliar). It's been running great (but topping out at about 55mph) until the other day.

It started to have a slightly fast tickover after getting up to running temp. then about a mile further on it started to pull less, feeling like a petrol engine with one pot either losing compression or not firing. A bit further on it just peatered out as if out of fuel. After a few minutes not running it started off the starter with a little hesitation then ran about 2 more miles before doing the same again. It did this twice more before I decided to get it towed home!

The RAC patrolman was convinced the pump must be on it's way out, but he didn't do any real investigation. I've been round it looking for sticking throttle linkages, leaking or blocked fuel lines and removed some of the oil from the air filter (it has the original 2 1/4 oil bath filter fitted) this was over filled. Since this it still has the raised tickover once warm and a fluctuation of power at about the same time.

It is need of a proper service oils and filters etc. It also has an exhaust that's starting to do a good impresion of a tea bag!!

Can anyone give me any pointers please? If it is the pump, can I get the parts to service it myself or does it have to be recon/replace? Is there anything else I should be checking?

Fuel injection pump not a self service item, but before that check that lift pump is delivering fuel and air is not getting in the system.

sound like air getting in, supprised the rac man didn't look for this, but they don't seem to want to get there hands dirty nowadays

Thanks to everyone who's offered advice, all on a common line.

Well it seems everyone has been right or there abouts. Following Monkie's earlier suggestions on the LRO message board, I took a look at the lift pump and was getting nothing but an occational dribble from it on hand pumping!!

Took a look back along the fuel line for leaks or blockages and ended up taking the fuel guage sender and pick up out of the tank. The little gauze filtter on the pick up pipe was totally clogged with a silty slime. Couldn't get this clean washing with petrol etc but fortunately when chasing guages not working I'd bought a new sender and not used it. As the fuel line connection was different I just swapped the filters and hey presto fuel fountains out of the pump now.

Took it for a short run ( to where it started playing up before) and apart from having to stop and reconnect the throttle linkage it went fine, so much so I'm back to using it to get the takeaway and will be using it for work tomorrow.

So thanks again everyone, you were all more knowledgable than the dear old RAC man, and he'd the advantage of seeing it!!!