Driving down highway in my 300tdi '96year at 100kph then increased speed to around 120kph when suddenly power was lost. When trying to restart, engine fires for about 1-2 seconds then dies. Loosened injector feed nut to each injector in turn and cranking engine over produces squirt of leaked diesel at each one. Could it be injector problem or water in fuel? Any thoughts?
 
And check FiP solenoid. It's one of a few components we should all carry as a spare in the cubby box;)

eta, if the FiP solenoid 12v wire has fallen off this too would give same symptoms
 
It is on the back of the FIP. I think on a 96 it will be a single wire going to it. On later models there is a little black box with three wires [ if I remember right ]
linked to anti theft device.
 
If it is putting diesel out of the injectors when cranking the FIP solenoid is working at that point.

Fit new fuel filter as they are cheap and easy to replace.

You can bypass the lift pump for test purposes by hooking a length of hose direct from the filter into a jerry can sat on the wing. this then acts as a gravity feed. If this improves things it is very likely lift pump. you can also use this as a test to see what the quality of fuel is like if you are worried about water.

The injectors would be the last port of call as they are most expensive and also least likely (imo) to be the point of failure.
 
Check for water at filter.
No fuel left?
Lift pump fail.
Major air leak in system.
Thanks, I am presuming it's not the t
If it is putting diesel out of the injectors when cranking the FIP solenoid is working at that point.

Fit new fuel filter as they are cheap and easy to replace.

You can bypass the lift pump for test purposes by hooking a length of hose direct from the filter into a jerry can sat on the wing. this then acts as a gravity feed. If this improves things it is very likely lift pump. you can also use this as a test to see what the quality of fuel is like if you are worried about water.

The injectors would be the last port of call as they are most expensive and also least likely (imo) to be the point of failure.
Great advice, thanks. I will get round to investigating it next Friday. I was on the way from Limassol, (Cyprus) to a mountain village house to spend the week, so the landy was transported back home and I'm now back in the trusted Peugeot 406 HDI...which has never failed me yet, having over 1/4 million miles on the clock..but it's not quite the same as a defender. If that fails it's the Morris minor to the rescue! Appreciate your help.
John
 
Verdict: short vacuum pipe on turbo was broken/split, this rubber pipe (about 10cm length) goes from actuator to a junction which then leads round back of engine to injector pump. It seems that after starting, the turbo wants to signal FiP to give more fuel to keep running. This vacuum leak caused engine to die after start for 2-3 seconds. Hope this helps someone.
 

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