Ford Ranger 2.5 TDCI starting problems

[s2sol]

Circumstances mean I've bought a cheap 2007 Ford Ranger to use as a daily. I've used it for running around locally for a few days, and it cranks for longer than I'd like before starting.

Last night, after a run of 30 miles from Swindon to Cheltenham, I stopped for a couple of minutes to get beer, and it wouldn't restart. It cranked happily for up to 20 seconds at a time, but showed no sign of starting.

Walked back down to the village this morning, and it started after one prolonged crank (maybe 10 seconds).

I didn't pay a lot for it, but if it's going to need injectors, then I'm down on the deal, even before I sort out the bodywork which is tatty, to say the least.

Any ideas?

[TooLateForAName]

get the codes read.

I'd be thinking pump or pressure sensor.

[s2sol]

Could be right. Leak off tests were fine, codes all fine, but the pump isn't giving enough pressure. I can't understand why it's only when it's thoroughly warm, though. I drove 10 miles this morning, and it wouldn't start afterwards. The mechanic has just driven about 6 miles, and it's starting fine.

[aw51 121565]

Perhaps because the diesel is more viscous (less runny, thicker) when it's cold, so less will leak away within the 'faulty' pump and pressure builds quicker when the engine is cold? Diesel is recirculated, and so the fuel in the tank and pipes will be warmer after a run of ten miles than after an overnight halt.

Also possibly an air leak into the pipework feeding the 'faulty' pump - it could be worth fitting a bit of clear pipe in just before the 'duff' pump and seeing if the fuel therein has bubbles in (or any fuel at all when the engine won't start?). Or an air leak into the system anywhere, really - it might be a split in a rubber pipe that opens up when the engine is hot allowing fuel to drain to the tank, maybe?

Just because 'fault codes' are shown doesn't mean the item that the 'codes' point to are actually faulty .

Just a couple of suggestions/ideas, that's all .

[s2sol]

He's running it from a temporary tank direct to the pump, so there's no air leak immediately prior to the pump. Out of interest, how much difference would there be in temperature between ambient diesel and diesel that's been through the pump and returned to the tank?

If it's not a lot, I'll never get the thing to start in the summer!

[Jamesranger]

Hi I have the same problem it's been to the garage 4 times and no fix yet! I have been told pressure sensor or pump have you fixed yours yet? Mines just getting worse nearly flattens the battery now before its starts hot or cold

[RobWhall]

Hi did anyone get to the bottom of the non starting issue as mine is driving me mad😬😬😬

[fabi]

where is this pressure sensor located I have the same prob.

[stefanospong]

Hi I have a problem on my 08' Ford Ranger 2.5l TDCI.
I was driving my truck and suddenly it shutoff and its not starting, I cranked it but its not doing anything, I checked the timing belt and its ok, so I asked someone for help and he saw that when I crank the engine the crankshaft spins but the camshafts don't so he told me to check the timing belt (but its ok).. Do you guys have any idea what it could be?

[littleredrooster]

stefanospong said:

Hi I have a problem on my 08' Ford Ranger 2.5l TDCI.
I was driving my truck and suddenly it shutoff and its not starting, I cranked it but its not doing anything, I checked the timing belt and its ok, so I asked someone for help and he saw that when I crank the engine the crankshaft spins but the camshafts don't so he told me to check the timing belt (but its ok).. Do you guys have any idea what it could be?

The only way the crank can spin and the cam not spin is if the belt is shagged or the teeth are missing on one of the sprockets.

My bet is the teeth have stripped on the inside of the belt at the crank sprocket but the belt is still intact so looks OK.