It Starts And Then Stops

[Thomick]

In the mornings I start my car and after running for 20 seconds or so it cuts out and then won't start. It will start if I use easy start and it seems to start if I pump the plunger next to the fuel filter so I guess it's a fuel issue.

I've recently had it serviced including a new fuel filter and the problem seemed to start from then.

It's a Diesel D4D 2002. Any help much appreciated!

[gjnorthall]

Once you get it restarted by pumping the plunger - does it then run OK. What happens when you subsequently try to start the car - does the non-starting only happen after the car is left overnight?

[korat102]

Does it keep running after using that easy-start or priming the system with the plunger or does it just stall again?

Pah, beaten to it, must type faster :)

Edited August 14, 2014 by korat102

[Thomick]

It's fine after I get it started again and will stop and start fine until the engine is left to get cold again and then the problem starts again.

[Cyker]

Fuel filter?

[Thomick]

Yes but the fuel filter was changed 3 weeks ago...

[korat102]

Odd. Only things I can imagine causing problems with cold starting on modern engines are glow plugs or Battery issues.

[korat102]

I'd still be very suspicious of that new fuel filter...
Good idea on the sensors though. Are there any fault codes stored?

[Raistlin]

It sounds like the engine suddenly gets way to much air after 30 seconds and dies.

I bet its not the ecu, but it could be a sensor or big vacuum leak.

I might start by pinching all the vacuum lines closed, the one to the brake booster also.

You could also hook up a vacuum gauge and watch it after you start the engine.

Next step would be to check all the sensors, most can be checked with a scan tool, coolant temp sensor, map sensor, throttle position sensor, air intake temp sensor, long and short term, fuel trim values, etc.

You could also measure the fuel pressure.

[Grumpy stumpy]

Me personally would be looking at the fuel filter, may not be sealing correctly thus overnight drawing in air, once reprimed runs ok. Some cheap filters have been known not to seal very well, first place I would check, was filter genuine or non gen?

[Devon Aygo]

Sounds like an air leak around the fuel filter or faulty diaphragm in the filter housing allowing fuel to drain back to the tank, the car will start and run on the fuel in the filter then stall as it draws in air from the filter and fuel lines one the filter empties. Priming with the pump draws the fuel up again allowing the car to run until it is left long enough for the fuel to drain back again.

[gjnorthall]

This isn't really an issue with cold starting - the car starts perfectly well but stops after a short period and restarts perfectly well after pumping the fuel filter plunger. If the plunger takes a few pumps before going solid then air is likely to be leaking in / fuel is draining back. The fact that the problem seems to have started after replacing the fuel filter would tend to suggest a filter problem. There may well be an issue with the filter quality or an issue with fitting the filter.

[Thomick]

Sounds like an air leak around the fuel filter or faulty diaphragm in the filter housing allowing fuel to drain back to the tank, the car will start and run on the fuel in the filter then stall as it draws in air from the filter and fuel lines one the filter empties. Priming with the pump draws the fuel up again allowing the car to run until it is left long enough for the fuel to drain back again.

This isn't really an issue with cold starting - the car starts perfectly well but stops after a short period and restarts perfectly well after pumping the fuel filter plunger. If the plunger takes a few pumps before going solid then air is likely to be leaking in / fuel is draining back. The fact that the problem seems to have started after replacing the fuel filter would tend to suggest a filter problem. There may well be an issue with the filter quality or an issue with fitting the filter.

These posts seem the most likely to me precisely because of the start/stop/start thing and I think the first stop is to get the fuel filter replaced. I'll do it today and let you know what happens.

[Thomick]

I had the fuel filter changed again and will report back in a day or two. So far so good.

[Thomick]

Early days but it started fine this morning.

[korat102]

Good news. Keeping everything crossed :)

[Grumpy stumpy]

Me personally would be looking at the fuel filter, may not be sealing correctly thus overnight drawing in air, once reprimed runs ok. Some cheap filters have been known not to seal very well, first place I would check, was filter genuine or non gen?

Out of interest have you fitted a genuine filter or non gen this time?

[Thomick]

The garage which did the service agreed to put a new (non gen) filter on free of charge.

[Grumpy stumpy]

Least looks as though you got it sorted. May of been a faulty filter then, some non gen filters are better than others.

[Thomick]

I'm going to officially declare it fixed as it's been a few days. Thanks everyone for your advice.