jimmacD

Well-Known Member
Still a sucker for punishment, just bought another project P38 diesel auto after selling the last one for parts, when will I ever learn?
It was dropped off with a known cold start issue and I paid accordingly.
Previous owner put it down to glow plugs but my gut told me more likely lift pump or FIP. After considerable cranking it started and ran very well, enough to take it to the car wash and back, about 10 miles.
It then started to stall and I managed to limp home, stall, start, stall, start etc.. No warning lights, did a becm resync for good measure. Now it will crank for ages, splutter into life with a cloud of smoke, run perfectly for about 10 seconds and then slowly die? The lift pump is knackered, tested by bridging the relay. I have installed an external lower pressure pump before the fuel filter, fuel is getting passed the filter and to the FIP.
Should I have fuel coming out of the injector if just running the external pump.... would it still flow through the FIP while not running? There are a couple of leaky injectors which pool diesel if left sat? Could anyone recommend a garage/mechanic in South Lincolnshire area as I would like to keep this one, other than the current issue it is very tidy and has been loved in the past, but possibly not by the last owner who was very vague.... forgot to mention it only had half an exhaust system and a crack in the radiator, thankfully not a head gasket issue!
 
Still a sucker for punishment, just bought another project P38 diesel auto after selling the last one for parts, when will I ever learn?
It was dropped off with a known cold start issue and I paid accordingly.
Previous owner put it down to glow plugs but my gut told me more likely lift pump or FIP. After considerable cranking it started and ran very well, enough to take it to the car wash and back, about 10 miles.
It then started to stall and I managed to limp home, stall, start, stall, start etc.. No warning lights, did a becm resync for good measure. Now it will crank for ages, splutter into life with a cloud of smoke, run perfectly for about 10 seconds and then slowly die? The lift pump is knackered, tested by bridging the relay. I have installed an external lower pressure pump before the fuel filter, fuel is getting passed the filter and to the FIP.
Should I have fuel coming out of the injector if just running the external pump.... would it still flow through the FIP while not running? There are a couple of leaky injectors which pool diesel if left sat? Could anyone recommend a garage/mechanic in South Lincolnshire area as I would like to keep this one, other than the current issue it is very tidy and has been loved in the past, but possibly not by the last owner who was very vague.... forgot to mention it only had half an exhaust system and a crack in the radiator, thankfully not a head gasket issue!
Pooling in the injector wells will be the leak off pipes not the actual injectors. The leaks may let air in causing difficult starting. If the lift pump is running when the engine is not, fuel will flow through the FIP and back to the tank. However, the lift pump or it's bodge replacement should only run on 3 conditions, 1 glow plugs on 2 whist cranking 3 whist the engine is running. It should NOT run just by turning on the ignition and if it does could be dangerous in the event of an accident..
 
Pooling in the injector wells will be the leak off pipes not the actual injectors. The leaks may let air in causing difficult starting. If the lift pump is running when the engine is not, fuel will flow through the FIP and back to the tank. However, the lift pump or it's bodge replacement should only run on 3 conditions, 1 glow plugs on 2 whist cranking 3 whist the engine is running. It should NOT run just by turning on the ignition and if it does could be dangerous in the event of an accident..
Did think leak off pipes, think I still have some pipe. Question was, will fuel pass through the FIP to the injectors with FIP not running, ie pumped from external pump. You can pull fuel through a non working lift pump, trying ascertain if stop/start solenoid is the issue?
 
Pooling in the injector wells will be the leak off pipes not the actual injectors. The leaks may let air in causing difficult starting. If the lift pump is running when the engine is not, fuel will flow through the FIP and back to the tank. However, the lift pump or it's bodge replacement should only run on 3 conditions, 1 glow plugs on 2 whist cranking 3 whist the engine is running. It should NOT run just by turning on the ignition and if it does could be dangerous in the event of an accident..
Did leak off pipes for a friend, his were peeing out diesel but the car r
started and ran OK?
 
Did think leak off pipes, think I still have some pipe. Question was, will fuel pass through the FIP to the injectors with FIP not running, ie pumped from external pump. You can pull fuel through a non working lift pump, trying ascertain if stop/start solenoid is the issue?
The lift pump will exert a small amount of pressure in the FIP, your extra pump may exert more, there will always be fuel at the injectors unless air has got in. Stop solenoid failure is pretty rare.
 
Huuuurfookingraaayyyyy! Changed out the leak off pipes and she sprang into life! Didn't even need the external primary pump, considering how cold it is this morning I think the glow plugs are working OK? Previous owner listed them as faulty.... didn't help that the lift tank was knackered and the leak off pipes? Weird how the leak effects some and not others? The excitement will be short lived.... Gearbox service, heavac repair, central locking, exhaust, brakes, radiator and water pump upgrade..... all fun, so twisted but I am looking forward to working on the old gal, might take her to Europe in the Summer if ready or we are not at War?
 
Huuuurfookingraaayyyyy! Changed out the leak off pipes and she sprang into life! Didn't even need the external primary pump, considering how cold it is this morning I think the glow plugs are working OK? Previous owner listed them as faulty.... didn't help that the lift tank was knackered and the leak off pipes? Weird how the leak effects some and not others? The excitement will be short lived.... Gearbox service, heavac repair, central locking, exhaust, brakes, radiator and water pump upgrade..... all fun, so twisted but I am looking forward to working on the old gal, might take her to Europe in the Summer if ready or we are not at War?
The phoney war should last another year before the real thing kicks off.
Call and say hello if you are passing.
 

Similar threads