TD5 Still not starting, cranking for ages!

Hi guys

I've got a 2000 TD5 95k on the clock. Purchased late last year, and since buying it I've had starting issues when it's been standing. Anyway, I've got it in the workshop at the moment for some body work. But the starting issues are causing it to be be a PITA. Let's say its left for a few days, when I go to it, it will crank and crank and misfire, try again and it will run but miss for a few seconds. Then run perfectly! This happens every single time, but today it cranked untill the battery was getting low.

Since buying it alot of things have been done to rule out the starting issue with no success:

*New OEM injector harness
*New genuine injector o rings & seals
*New fuel/air/oil filters
*Crank sensor removed and cleaned
*Previous owner fitted new filter housing, also checked duckbill valve and replaced copper washers
* glow plugs removed and tested
* FPR rebuilt with OEM parts
* New starter motor
* EGR Blanked and removed wiring
* Red plug cleaned several times
* ECU Opened up to check and clean
* All earthing points cleaned and additional added for engine
* certain of no diesel in the oil
* wastegate freed off
* can hear pump running when key is turned
* cleaned inlet manifold sensor
* done the bleeding sequence a few times

Once the engine is running, I cant really fault the sound of it. No smoke and seems to start back up pretty well. Although i havent checked this repeatedly as at the moment it hasnt had a good run, and thought it may not be too healthy for the engine. Only thing I will add, it's got about 1/4 tank of diesel, but that shouldn't make a difference should it?

With my minimal knowledge and experience its seeming like air in the fuel?

Can anyone help with this please? Unfortunately I cant get it to a garage for diagnostics at the moment.

Thanks in advance guys

which outlet was duck bill valve in and which air bleed valve in

jamesmartin said:

which outlet was duck bill valve in and which air bleed valve in

Click to expand...

Thanks for reply James.

From looking at the tailgate....
The duckbill valve was front left
The air bleed valve was rear right

fitted like this

thats right,
if you undo the screw on bottom of filter place a container underneath get someone to turn on ignition and watch the flow should be a strong stream

jamesmartin said:

thats right,
if you undo the screw on bottom of filter p[lace a container underneath get someone to turn on ignition and watch the flow should be a strong stream

Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll check that James. Does that look for a faulty in tank fuel pump? Do I fully wind out that filter plug?

Stupid question, but the connections couldnt be on the wrong way round could they? Or a fault air bleed valve?

valves are in the correct places,yes wind plug or switch fully out
pipe from engine goes to duck bleed connector

jamesmartin said:

thats right,
if you undo the screw on bottom of filter place a container underneath get someone to turn on ignition and watch the flow should be a strong stream

Click to expand...

James, just checked this. Undid the drain on the filter, and got someone to turn the ignition to see the glow plug light.
The stream of fuel was like just gravity fed really, similar to pouring a kettle of water out of a smaller hole.
There wasnt a huge difference between ignition on and off to be honest, even though obviously I could hear the pump running when ignition on. It did seem to gurgle with air with that undone though.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks alot

Hi all

Managed to use a diagnostics machine today on the td5. Faults logged were MAF, and ambient air temp sensor. The MAF has next to no values at all while its plugged in. And the ambient air temp sensor is reading around 100°c.

Sounds to me like both are dead, what implications would both of these have on running, but mainly starting? I was aware the MAF was dead some months ago to be honest, but strangely enough the engine seems less powerful with it unplugged.

I also changed the air bleed valve in the filter housing. I could blow through the one I removed in both directions, even though it was restricted. Although the new one, I could only blow through the one way?!
Could this be the starting fault reason?

Thanks alot

My discovery 2 td5 had a starting problem used to cut out at 1/4 of a tank I took the pump out and it had plenty of sh*t in it it used to miss fire and sometimes start and sometimes it wouldn't it makes a difference checking how much crap is in the tank put a fresh filter on I did and mine is running fine now.

Can you hear the pump running when its started or does the noise stop I could here mine and I figured out that it couldn't suck enough fuel up when it was getting low.

could be the fuel pump...can you check the pressure?

MAF, and ambient air temp sensor make no difference to starting....all you need to start is crank signal.