My weird Mav

[HI_SCREWBALL]

First time post but I have been around for about 6 months and just wanted to say how great this site is, much better than a haynes manual, Anyway I have had a small problem with my 1995 2.7td Maverick since I bought it 6 months ago. It's a pain to start in the mornings! Normally starts straight away with lots of smoke and runs for 20 seconds then cuts out and then takes around 10 attempts to get it running again with lots of grey smoke. Then it will run fine with no smoke. I have the accelerator/choke type gadget set on the second pull so it revs at just under 1000 as throughout the day it will suddenly without warning cut out and is a pig to start again. I have been through many posts and have done the following.
Oil service
Fuel filter change
Glow plugs renewed
Banjo filter cleaned
Cleaned turbo
Plenty of fuel cleaner added - the last being AMC cleaner from a garage

Next week it is being booked in to have the injectors cleaned.

My conclusion after the injectors will be to have the fuel pump serviced which I know is going to cost a lot but this is the weird part, yesterday for the first time I parked differently with the Mav facing down hill (I live on a hill normally facing up) and it started first time with no smoke or cutting out and ran all day with no problems, however today parking up hill it was back to the same!!!! I know the obvious answer is now to park facing down hill but what is all that about:doh Any suggestions? Do I just have a weird mav

 

[makeitfit]

I hope you do get an answer cause the wifes Focus wont start if we leave it parked facing up hill:nenau
I assumed it was some fuel pump(ie expensive) problem:doh
Good luck and welcome by the way:thumbs

 

[Timbo_1975]

I hope you do get an answer cause the wifes Focus wont start if we leave it parked facing up hill

Is this a Mk1 Focus? If so- then common problem. And yes it is the fuel pump. The gauge unit is combined, and they are £170 from Ford.

The new ones are modified...

Tim
.

 

[jims-terrano]

I'm sure I've heard of people talking about a web site called Diesel Bob, might be worth doing a google and seeing if they can give you any answers. Pale smoke usually means air in the fuel lines? but like you say facing opposite way and it runs would make you think pump wouldn't it.

Jim T

 

[Toolbox]

HI_SCREWBALL
Check your fuel lines all the way back to the tank.

 

[zippy656]

yep a few people i chat to like Diesel Bob..

had nothing to do with him myself though

 

[Adz]

http://www.dieselbob.co.uk/

:thumbs

 

[jimmy92]

It may sound a bit basic but but on our dumpers we have a no return fuel valve to stop diesel running back to tank over nite (parking nose down on a hill would stop this) also if our breathers block up on the fuel tank it causes a vacum in the tank which results in the diesel being pulled back. just an idea :thumb2 good luck. :thumbs

 

[HI_SCREWBALL]

Thanks for the ideas, I've been trying to do everything except the fuel pump as I know it's going to cost more than what I paid for the car. So I'll have a go at replacing the fuel lines and add a non return valve and see how that goes. :thumb2

 

[rustic]

Sounds like air to me. I had a similar problem on a Vectra. Turned out to be a leaking fuel line allowed the fuel to drain back to the tank.
Sometimes it is worth releasing the fuel cap on the fuel tank now and again.
When the RAC got me going after several failed attempts with a jumper battery, he sprayed WD40 into the air intake (remove filter) (Note: Diesel Vectra) while cranking and it started straight away. It is a usefull get you home trick that helped me for the next few weeks until I could get it fixed.
So try your fuel lines or the fuel filter may not be sealing correctly.
Best regards, Rustic

 

[lacroupade]

and having been dug out of a hole by Young Makeitfit in the past, I can swear by "Startyabastard".....it really works. :bow

 

[(RIP) rustygates]

screwball,
I wonder if you primed the fuel filter by hand as in pumping it before you start up, and see if it starts straight away, if so, a non- return valve fitted in the return to tank fuel line which is the smaller of the two pipes might cure it until you get a pump from the scrappy.

rustygates.

 

[jimmy92]

Yes that will work but the a one way valve would be more suited to the feed line.

Try bypassing the hand primer also to see if this alters it.

When you discover the fault let me no as i have a terrano that im breaking. cheers.

 

[HI_SCREWBALL]

Fitted new fuel lines on wednesday (took photos if anyone wants me to upload and give a description) and non return valve, but this has made no difference Took it to have the injectors cleaned and the guy said I had a faulty injector. £300 + labour new or £150 + labour refurb. I have managed to get a set of refurb myself for £50 as I didn't want to fork out anymore at the garage. My question now is are the injectors numbered in any sequence as the injectors I bought have numbered caps on them.

...and I am glad I renewed the fuel lines as they wern't looking too good and I spotted the rear brake centre hose weeping which I am now replacing tomorrow.

 

[Toolbox]

No not numbered they are all the same on the td and can go in any order.

 

[HI_SCREWBALL]

Thanks for that. They look easy enough to replace. Take fuel pipes off top and unscrew injectors right???

 

[Toolbox]

Yes that’s about it, may help to have a little penetrating oil to hand and ideally remove and replace the washer at the base of the injector.

 

[Adz]

...and I am glad I renewed the fuel lines as they wern't looking too good and I spotted the rear brake centre hose weeping which I am now replacing tomorrow.

That was lucky mate
No brakes wouldnt of been nice
Hopefully it'll be all good once youve finished the work :thumbs

 

[HI_SCREWBALL]

Very lucky considering I tow a ton trailer everyday and live on a mountain!

 

[Adz]

Very lucky considering I tow a ton trailer everyday and live on a mountain!