Common non starter issues? Advice please.

[Rachy]

Hi until recently my surf has been perfect after a holiday at Tony N's
Last two days it has been struggling to start. It turns over but it's like there is no fuel or no ignition.
Whats the first thing to check? I was thinking fuel filter and fuel pump???
Any ideas of any common faults/problems? It is now my only vehicle my MPS has gone
Thanks in advance.

[Wolfracer]

IT'S COLD!

I bet you get in and pretty much turn the key straight away?

I do in the summer, and no problem.

It was 1 degree here this morning. Mine wouldn't start off the turn of the key, so I did what I should always do, and wait to here the "click" 10-15 seconds after turning the ignition on to tell me the glow plugs are up to temp.
Started straightway after that.

[Rachy]

nope not at all. I wait for the glow plug light to go out and it happens every time i start even after a 200 mile jaunt down the motorway.

[Wolfracer]

nope not at all. I wait for the glow plug light to go out and it happens every time i start even after a 200 mile jaunt down the motorway.

Glow plug light goes out after 2 seconds. Listen for a "CLICK" at least 10 seconds later...
If you do that, then great, its not the cold.

Do you park facing uphill?

If your fuel pump (manual button on top of it) is easy to pump then you are loosing pressure, and the fuel gets drawn back to the tank. Park downhill, and problem goes away... sound daft, but tis true!

[Rachy]

I dont park uphill or downhill our drive is flat. Have manually pumped the fuel pump makes no difference...any other ideas?

[Wolfracer]

I dont park uphill or downhill our drive is flat. Have manually pumped the fuel pump makes no difference...any other ideas?

Yep, its ####ed.

Over to the tech boys - you might need to wait till after midnight for replies though...

[IanB2]

nope not at all. I wait for the glow plug light to go out and it happens every time i start even after a 200 mile jaunt down the motorway.

The glowplug dash light goes out long before the glowplugs are fully heated, turn the key to ignition position and wait at least 10sec, then try starting. If that doesn't do the trick, you may need fresh glowplugs, or you may not be getting fuel. At least you could rule out user error though.

You can check the resistance of the glowplugs to see if they're still in spec. I'd start there as it's easy enough to do with a multimeter and some hand tools.

What year is your truck?

[TonyN]

Hi.

It should start pretty quickly after the glow light goes out, the extra time mentioned above is really to help it run after starting.

It could just be a couple of duff glowplugs, you won't really notice in the summer but it might be showing up now its colder.

It could be a few things, I'd try a new fuel filter and a strong dose of redex first, then change the glow plugs.

[Rachy]

Hi.

It should start pretty quickly after the glow light goes out, the extra time mentioned above is really to help it run after starting.

It could just be a couple of duff glowplugs, you won't really notice in the summer but it might be showing up now its colder.

It could be a few things, I'd try a new fuel filter and a strong dose of redex first, then change the glow plugs.

Hi Tony
Thanks we have done all the above and still not starting. I think maybe there is some crap stuck somewhere. It was working fine then all of a sudden its struggling. It did run nearly empty before the problems.
New glowplugs, new fuel filter, could it be the fuel pump?
Havent checked anything apart from the engine so far to do with the fuelling system.
It does eventually start but it takes 2-3 attempts and it doesnt start instantly like it used to.
Help? Ideas of what to check and change?

[TonyN]

Could have sucked up some nastys from the tank, but I'd say it wouldn't run very well either once running if so.

If it was me I'd do a compression test first to rule out any mechanical issues, then treat it to some recon injectors then maybe find a good used pump.

This was the truck with the knackered T/case wasn't it, we didn't do any engine work did we?

[Rachy]

Hi Tony
It runs perfectly once started. So I guess we can rule that one out?
I think you just did the T/Case and the brakes. No engine work. That I know of
It is really weird when its full of diesel it seems a little better to start.
Maybe it is the injectors? I havent the foggiest. Just spent £170 squids on the bits and bobs and still no better
Why are you doing this to me TRUCKIE????

[Rachy]

Could have sucked up some nastys from the tank, but I'd say it wouldn't run very well either once running if so.

If it was me I'd do a compression test first to rule out any mechanical issues, then treat it to some recon injectors then maybe find a good used pump.

This was the truck with the knackered T/case wasn't it, we didn't do any engine work did we?

S**T sounds like a garage job then? I cant do a compression test sounds expensive. What are you hinting at? Engine knackered?
Is ebay the best place to get recon stuff? Know anyone that has the parts I would need.
So....when you having it back then lol

[TonyN]

LOL, not hinting at anything.

It may have a small air leak in the fuel and need to bleed itself everytime you start.

But low compression due to head gasket leaking or worn engine will cause starting issues, so worth finding out before throwing to much money at it.

Its welcome to come and stay again, won't take as long this time..

[Rachy]

So how would I fix an air leak? Let's rule that out first