Starting / non-starting 300tdi. What is going on!? Part 1

[@polloloci21]

Mike looks younger with that haircut 🫣

[@stuartbell7078]

Mike, something to ask is whether the owner has filled that tank up between it not starting and when you got to see it. If he has, then there is a possibility that he has a very common problem with the pickup tubes for these. It will look like the low-pressure lift-pump is broken (and it sounds like that is your particular diagnosis here) but the main thing is that the engine will suffer from fuel starvation at anywhere below 1/2-full tank. The problem area is the joint where the metal pickup pipe inside the tank meets the plastic flange of the tank-unit, and onwards to the plastic stub-pipe. Everytime the fuel level drops below this joint-line, the engine draws air into the joint (as it's under depression) and eventually stalls the engine out. It will manifest itself mostly as starting, because the filter and lift-pump are least able to purge the air back to the tank at cranking-speed. The fix is to remove the pickup assembly (with the gauge float/sender), either replace it with an OEM part, or use a cheap one new one and glue the pickup into the flange with a good epoxy.

[@jacqueshickley]

My first guess would have been the leak off pipes and then the lift pump. I was a bit surprised with what you filled the filter with. I would never have thought of that.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

ATF works well in diesel - helps clean the injector pump and lube it. Gets diluted pretty quickly

[@mirceadcd]

@@BritannicaRestorations knowledge bomb, as usual!

[@adammmmmmmmmmmmm]

I just started my 300tdi first try three days ago after it sat for 9 months without running. No better feeling!

[@raygale4198]

Hope you sent a happy snap to Greta :) My 200 TDi loves cold starts, that happy lung clearing belch of black smoke as it fires.

[@ivorscruton5121]

Sometimes air in the fuel can cause an intermittent no start, common leakage points are transitions from flexible to solid lines in them suction side. Based on experience in general, not Land Rover specific.

[@landrover2090]

Thanks for the video....Your wool looks better these days than it did in covid times lol.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

You bet

[@badfinger61]

I think you need to replace the giggling pin on the vinegar bell. That's definitely the problem 😉😆

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Good idea!!

[@jamescaron6465]

The first thing I thought of was that is either water in the fuel, or that there’s all kinds of all gelled up gunked up diesel that’s clogging up the line and the injectors. Living in such a humid environment I have to make sure I drain my water separator very diligently and regularly or I have the same problem.

[@raygale4198]

If the lift pump is working they will push fuel through a filter nearly completely choked with fats and wax from dodgy home made biodiesel. It's either a blocked fuel pick up/line or a weak lift pump as you suspect Mike.

[@adrianward362]

Good on yer for having a go!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thank you!

[@guidovonohlen738]

Had a similar problem before. Once a loose fitting on the lift pump, and once a small crack in the hose behind the lift pump. Every time the car was parked with the engine up, the diesel drained back in the tank. Also tested the lift pump, replaced it, but there was just nothing in the line left.When the car was standing flat or nose down no problem. Was also starting immediately after you parked it with the nose up, because it took some time for the diesel to drain back.Stil don't know why the diesel in the filter was not enough.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Drain back causes a lot of cranking problems I once fitted an after market non-return valve near the tank to solve this issue Worked great! .... Until winter and the fuel became dense and would not pass the valve Stalled car, -25c, no tools Fix it properly!

[@alanparis7256]

He shouldn't be driving it if he can't be bothered doing his daily/weekly checks such as the basics oil & water , never mind lack of basic services. Great vid by the way !

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Yeap!

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Know you vehicles… Know your Land Rovers!! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@vic6820]

Maybe same problem mine had, dodgy ignition switch, sometimes she'd fire, others not.

[@gshort4707]

I had the same. The engine would fire whilst cranking, but when the switch went back to the normal position it uses a different contact that was knackered and would sometimes cut the ignition feed. New switch cured it.

[@vic6820]

@@gshort4707 Yes. I changed everything but the chassis until I realised what the fault was 😀

[@mattluszczak8095]

Check wire on solenoid is tight on its terminal. But yeah it does sound like starvation

[@stevep8773]

My 1995 300tdi 110 had a weird fuel-starvation issue. It ran fine around town but at higher speeds for longer runs it would die. After much investigation, I determined the white plastic "sock" filter in the tank was plugged by debris - mostly some sort of fungus goo. That would let some fuel pass, but not enough to keep up at higher RPMs or loads for long. Major PITA to drop the tank (myself in the middle of nowhere) full of diesel and clean off the filter. I later had the tank dropped, cleaned and given an anti-rust coating. Symptoms were dying engine at high loads/speeds. Short term fix was to bleed the fuel line at the filter and then reprime with the lift pump lever - good for maybe another 15km... But the 1995 did have the sock filter on it and I doubt it had ever been off before my ownership

[@BritannicaRestorations]

No diesels had a filter on the end of the pick up pipe -- only petrols - so this could have been a petrol sender fitted in the past

[@stevep8773]

@@BritannicaRestorations Interesting. I bought my 1995 in 2000. Made in UK, sold in South Africa. I suppose someone could have fitted the little "sock" at some point in between - wish they hadn't! What a right pain to do without a hoist. I burned my work clothes after. And I now use a marine biocide in my stored diesels

[@chrismiller9740]

Worth a shot to see if fuel solonoid wire/connector loose, intermittent

[@mikego18753]

Thumbs up mate.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Haha Mike I like the assumption at the end. My VW LT35 (non turbo) has had an issue whereby then the fuel drains back into the filter/tank(both low down filter mounted on the front subframe. There is a one way valve on that filer which can stick open. I changed mine out and that cranking and spluttering noise similar to the Land Rover turned into an instant start(once primed of course) So ATF is the ‘go to’ for fuel pump/system health? I used some German stuff in my fuel system the seals on my VE pump lasted about a month before Thayer started leaking.. VE pump re seal etc cured that.. I’m assuming the seals were pretty knackered anyway but I will blame ‘Ze German’ fuel system treatment til the day I die!! (Liqui Moly was the brand name!!)

[@BritannicaRestorations]

I always use ATF in the fuel filters - good for the system as it cleans and lubes the pump Been doing it 20 years and never lost a patient yet!

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Think I must try this 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@doneB830]

Glow plug relay, bad contacts ?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

No need for glow plugs on a Tdi at +30c!

[@kingy550]

Hi Mike, my detroit 638 (Vm Motori) will occasionally not start, or not stop. I know its the fuel stop solenoid, but I can't rectify it. Iv'e had 3 genuine Bosch solenoids now, and have given up trying to fix it. All have good plunger tips and plenty of spring pressure. A second or third attempt at starting always seems to work, and for shutdown, as i turn the key off, I have to press the throttle fully down. Could a sticking solenoid be your issue? Fuel priming.... I fitted one of those squeeze bulbs just before the filter, and it makes a world of difference ! Regards, Richard.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

To be honest I have not seen a VM motor, avoided the like the plague ! Could be a bad fuel pump with non-return valves working

[@kingy550]

@@BritannicaRestorations Its a Brand new engine built in 1999 and never used. They came with multi layer head gaskets instead of the single layer ones, and the heads were either cast from a better alloy, or had a better heat treatment. I have a few short vids on youtube if you're interested. I've worked on the older ones too so understand their bad reputation. Regards, Richard.

[@eriksark4883]

I have a similar no-start on my 200tdi ... but only when the ambient temp is high (80+F), and the engine is also hot. If I drive for 20 min in hot conditions, shut her down, run a 5 minute errand, and then try to restart - it seldom will. Open the hood, wait 10-15 minutes to cool off - and she starts every time. I've cracked open the fuel line on #1 cylinder, and there's no fuel present when it's in this condition.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Check the stop solenoid

[@williambaird8807]

Why atf Mike instead of diesel? Never heard of that before?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Pretty easy to fill rather than smelly diesel - and a bit of ATF is good for the injection system

[@landieman6044]

Not leaky leak offs?

[@du7ch384]

The car knows its now beat with you at it MIke, it just gave in and started, even with a knackered pump lol

[@BritannicaRestorations]

The power of prayer!

[@jonny_wright]

If i undo the bleed screw on the filter housing my engine starts spluttering. I assumed it was normal due to air getting in so why didn't it happen with this one? 🤔

[@julianchambers8372]

Check the fuel tank pick up.

[@davidforbes6250]

Michael Michael Michael! I'm weird I use glow plugs first start in any weather. Don't use it you?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Nope!

[@chrismiller9740]

Very interested to know what it winds up being broke. Best of luck. Cheers

[@paulaven9457]

The owner. Its the owner that ends up been broke cause he owns a landrover. Same as us all. 😂

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Will do

[@Bluepilchard]

Marine boats get a diesel bug goes all gooee

[@RussTNails-fw9ds]

Intermittent faults aahhh😮😮😮😮😢😢

[@RussTNails-fw9ds]

Without your spacers gap on the lift pump it is sure to be stuffed😮😊

[@Peter-xm6ve]

Your kept busy with these rust buckets 😂😂

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Had enough of them - Keeps me putting rates up all the time!

[@harveysmith100]

@@BritannicaRestorations Your probable still way cheaper than the competition Mike

[@BritannicaRestorations]

You know Harvey, no one will touch these vehicles in Quebec now! JP had a chap in his shop who has a transmission repair shop, and he remarked on the pile of LT230 transfer cases there. JP said there were for a Land Rover. Transmission man said hey would never touch them!

[@Peter-xm6ve]

You are definitely a man of knowledge and experience, you can come back to the uk and look after ours anytime.

[@thomasgibbs4655]

@@Peter-xm6veI’d make sure I’m the top of mikes list if he comes back to the uk 🇬🇧

[@nickaxe771]

A Landrover owners who dont know where the fuel filter or lift pump is. Not unusual these days.....but it saddens me.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

All too common!

[@hyhgtsssassfilj]

A lift pimp you say? Is that someone who picks up pretty hitchhikers? 😂

[@nickaxe771]

@@hyhgtsssassfilj That correct yes.

[@noelbishop5153]

Why is that Range Rover still with you......!

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Just got tyres for it. Owner now out in California No pay = no play!

[@23trooper]

Nothing worse than an intermittent fault ...

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Oh! I don't know! How's about a faeces covered stick being poked in the eye? (with a side order of Carolina Reaper on the tip?) LoL!

[@neilrafferty2097]

Overrated , overpriced, underdeveloped and untrustworthy .

[@grahameroberts8109]

Glow plugs (in winter) I watched a vid the other day where a guy used a hair dryer to blow hot air in and got the diesel running. 🤞🙏🦘

[@doneB830]

In an emergency light a piece of news paper or similar and push it down the intake while cranking.