My van won’t start after being stood for about a week. It turns over and has a new battery, but doesn’t seem to fire up. I’ve tried priming the fuel pump and can hear something running, but once it does start, it’s a bit spluttery at first, with a ‘pop’ noise right after. Any idea if this could be related to fuel or air leaks? Also, I’ve checked the injectors, and they seem fine.
It sounds like you might have an air leak somewhere in the intake. A common issue with diesels after they’ve sat for a while is a vacuum leak or a small crack in the fuel system. Have you checked the glow plugs yet?
@Enzo
I haven’t checked the glow plugs yet, but I will. Could it also be related to the fuel filter, or is that unlikely?
I’d recommend doing a smoke test on the intake to see if there are any air leaks. It’s a great way to pinpoint any issues with the intake manifold or intercooler.
Vincent said:
I’d recommend doing a smoke test on the intake to see if there are any air leaks. It’s a great way to pinpoint any issues with the intake manifold or intercooler.
I’ve done the smoke test, and couldn’t find any leaks. Do you think the problem could be in the fuel system?
Sounds like an airlock in the fuel system. The engine relies on the built-in lift pump in the injection pump. If there’s an air leak in the fuel line, it could cause this issue. Try priming the fuel with the hand pump and loosening the injector lines to expel the air.
@Sean
I’ll try that. Is there a particular part of the fuel line that’s more likely to leak? I haven’t seen any obvious leaks so far.
I had a similar problem, and it turned out to be a small leak in the fuel suction pipe from the tank. The engine wasn’t getting enough fuel, especially when cold. I had to replace part of the fuel line.
@Paige
I’ll check the fuel lines again, especially near the tank. Thanks for the suggestion!
Regarding the smoke test, it’s ideal to run it when the fuel tank is low. This helps the smoke pressure to be more effective. Also, make sure to check around the injector lines for any leaks.
Florian said:
Regarding the smoke test, it’s ideal to run it when the fuel tank is low. This helps the smoke pressure to be more effective. Also, make sure to check around the injector lines for any leaks.
I’ve been waiting for the fuel to run down, so I can do that test properly. Hopefully, I’ll find the issue soon!