Diesel started, stopped and now won't start - what to check?

Diesel started, stopped and now won't start - what to check?

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wca

Original Poster:

307 posts

167 months

Monday 21st May 2012
quotequote all
I have an Izuzu TF 2.5 Turbo diesel.

Yesterday I started (first time as normal) and started to drive up the road and it stalled/engine died.

I first thought it was out of fuel so chucked a can of diesel in the tank and tried again. It didn't start.

The engine turns over just fine and it sounds like it always does before it fires up but the engine never catches.

I thought there might be air in the fuel line so removed the hose on the engine side of the fuel pump and pumped the button on top of the fuel pump and diesel came out so I guess that means fuel is getting that far.

Not sure what to check next.

In summary - Truck started, stopped (possibly out of fuel) and now won't start even though it has fuel and sounds like it is turning over fine.

Is there any kind of cut off after fuel starvation that needs resetting? Is there something else I should check in case it is unrelated to the fuel (no fuses appear blown)? It is on a bit of the road that is permit holders only so need to sort it quite quickly.

Any suggestions before i get it towed to a garage?

theshrew

6,008 posts

185 months

Wednesday 23rd May 2012
quotequote all
I dont know this particular engine what system is it ? Mechanical type pump or common rail ?

Crack a pipe off a injector see if fuel is squirting out. Work you way back from that. Its possible you have a air lock if you have ran out of fuel. Sometimes it will take a while to pump new fuel through.

other ideas -

Does it have a pre filter in the pump body sometimes they block up
Look for a leaking pipe

littleredrooster

5,543 posts

197 months

Saturday 26th May 2012
quotequote all
Could be the stop solenoid on the HP pump. They usually fail in the 'off' or closed position.

OP - just to double check - when you used the prime pump, did you have the ignition on; if not, you have only primed it to the filter.

yodel

57 posts

153 months

Saturday 26th May 2012
quotequote all
as theshrew says start at the injectors and work back. If you did run it out of fuel crack off each injector in turn. It's just a slow methodical process. thats why garages charge so much to check these things out.

wca

Original Poster:

307 posts

167 months

Saturday 26th May 2012
quotequote all
Okay, I finally got some time to play. I first removed the fuel pipe from the out end of the fuel pump. Fully charged battery.

1) Pushing the top of the pump happily pours fuel out.
2) Try to start the engine using the key and it turns over happily but no fuel comes out the pump.

Conclusion : Fuel solenoid is knackered

Please feel free to agree / diagree before I order a new one in the morning.

Cheers

WCA