Starting problem

[Trigsbroom]

Sod's Law, I was driving along last week thinking how light and lively the Terrano feels when it's going well, but it's so heavy when you have to push it, the next day, I had to push it. The starter was getting increasingly sluggish, but still starting, then I was out, having started it twice in the morning. I was away from the car for about 30 minutes, came back to it and despite the engine still being warm, the starter wouldn't turn it over quick enough to start it, the battery is very good. So I called the recovery service, the bloke put a starter/charger on it, nothing, tried a 'boost' (24 volts?), nothing, tried jumping it off the truck battery (12 volts), no good, tried towing it and bump starting it, nothing. So he took me home. I found that the glow plugs were completely knackered so I replaced those, fitted new starter motor, now it turns over briskly, but still won't start. the fuel in the filter is clean, clear and liquid despite it being very cold out this morning. The fuel filter was new about 1000miles ago and I've cleaned the gauze filter on the pump, but still nothing. It'll fire on Easystart, but it seems there's no fuel getting through as it doesn't continue.
Now then, obviously the reason it wouldn't start originally was the knackered glow plugs and lazy starter, but when towed, a warm engine even without glow plugs should've started, I'd have thought. So, my question is, is there anything that could've been 'knocked out' by having 24 volts put through the system? I'm assuming that fuses aren't going to be affected by increased voltage, but what about the electronic control to the fuel pump? The electrics seem to be working ok, there's no blown bulbs or anything, all fuses in the fuse box (inside the car) are intact.
I'd be grateful of suggestions and pointers.

 

[patbhoy]

Are your glow plugs heating ok, possibly the solonoid.

 

[briggie]

i know it sounds silly , but you mention a new fuel filter , did you prime it correctly ?

 

[clivvy]

yes, prime the filter BEFORE trying to start. id also read the codes to see if theres any detected issue with the fuel pump or injection pump perhaps. as for fuses, id check both under the steering wheel and engine bay, you never know, could be a fuel pump fuse thats at fault or something...

 

[briggie]

yes, prime the filter BEFORE trying to start. id also read the codes to see if theres any detected issue with the fuel pump or injection pump perhaps. as for fuses, id check both under the steering wheel and engine bay, you never know, could be a fuel pump fuse thats at fault or something...

when fitting a new filter its best to fill the filter with fuel then prime it with the little black button on top untill it goes hard :naughty , before attempting to start it

 

[briggie]

you will probably have to press the primer for quite some time before it goes hard ( oooer missus ) :naughty

 

[rustic]

What model is it, 2.7TD or 2.7Tdi with intercooler?

Sticking 24 volts on it in my opinion is unreasonable.
I doubt the whole system would have got to 24 volts the good battery would help prevent that.
The reason why bulbs haven't blown is maybe they weren't on.

Just in case, have you released the fuel filler cap, you may hear a hiss as air goes in.
Could also be a fuel line letting air in.

You could use the primer pump as you try to start it and continue, see if it runs.

To help the fuel pump, you could get a length of pipe and a suitable container with diesel in and syphon it from a great height ( say from the Terrano roof) straight after the filter to the pump on the engine.
You could rig a funnel and a pipe to do the same job, attached say to a ladder.


Be aware fuel may come out of the filter, so catch that.

Hope this helps to eliminate the fuel tank/fuel lines etc.

 

[briggie]

also , i believe that on some of the cheaper fuel filters , that they dont have the seal at the top of the filter , which causes a few problems too

 

[Timbo_1975]

Indeed check the seal at the top of the filter (the centre one, not the large rubber outter one) The fuel may be running back to the tank...

I have a small electric pump I use for priming the fuel system after a change- saves alot of wear on the starter- just splice it in the fuel line and croc clip to battery.

 

[Trigsbroom]

Blimey! what a response! Thanks for that!
The car is a '98 2.7TDi with Bosch fuel pump.
The fuel filter has done at least 1000 miles, and was well primed initially (priming plunger solid). The glow plugs are getting voltage and getting red hot.
I've just had an injector hose off and turned it over, and there is clearly no flow.
Where can I find info on fault codes, I have the workshop manual but can't find any reference to fault codes.
Thanks

 

[BigBlack]

Here you go, in the downloads section (quick links at top right hand corner) :thumb2

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/downloads/workshop/wk29.pdf

 

[ShaunAFC]

The plug connector that you need to short may be tucked behind the fuse panel in the car, get you head down there and you will find it quick enough though.

Turn IGN on, NOT engine
Bridge top right 2 pins
Disconnect the link
Then just look at the engine management light and read away.

Long flashes are 10's and short flashes are 1's.

i.e long long long long long short short short short short = 55, which incidently means no fault found.

 

[Trigsbroom]

Thanks chaps, I'm getting 55, so I'm assuming there's a simple old fashioned blockage in the fuel supply somewhere. The fuel looks clean enough, but the filter cartridge, despite being relatively new, looks surprisingly dirty inside. I'll get a new one this afternoon, whoosh all the fuel lines though with air, re-prime and see if that brings any joy. I'll post the results later on.
Thanks for all your help!

 

[clivvy]

perhaps your in the process of filtering out a load of crap from the engine? has the fuel run very very low, i wonder if its picking up crap from the bottom of the fuel tank?

 

[rustic]

perhaps your in the process of filtering out a load of crap from the engine? has the fuel run very very low, i wonder if its picking up crap from the bottom of the fuel tank?

On that basis have you changed your source of fuel, eg Bio?

 

[Trigsbroom]

I'd probably best brace myself for the onslaught from the anti Veg oil lobby. The inside of the tank is very clean, I've been in there. I've used SVO all summer (new oil) and with the drop in temperature, I've added 50% diesel and anti waxing additive. I'm going to guess that the detergent qualities of the diesel have stripped some residue off the inside of the pipes. I had a bad experience with some duff WVO about 6 months ago, which is why I switched to new oil. In the past I have used several thousands of litres of WVO in a Daihatsu Fourtrak and a previous Terrano without problems. Earlier this year, I bought a couple of thousand litres of WVO which was supposedly filtered to 1 micron, but it clearly wasn't as I had to change the fuel filter about every 1000 miles.
The engine's not started yet, but the last time I tried, it showed a little more willingness to start (2 or 3 minor firings), so I'm quite optimistic for tomorrow.

 

[zippy656]

good luck..

ive been veggie for about 6 months. but adding fphe to help

also just starting to add diesel..

you ever added a little petrol

 

[Trigsbroom]

Yes, I've used 5-10% petrol when the weather's started to get cold, but having seen the state of the glow plugs ie absolutely no ceramic left!, I'd have to question the wisdom of that. I treated the Fourtrak in exactly the same way for about 30,000 miles and it was absolutely fine, the Terrano is perhaps a bit more sensitive.

 

[solarman216]

Yes, I've used 5-10% petrol when the weather's started to get cold, but having seen the state of the glow plugs ie absolutely no ceramic left!, I'd have to question the wisdom of that. I treated the Fourtrak in exactly the same way for about 30,000 miles and it was absolutely fine, the Terrano is perhaps a bit more sensitive.

Ceramic glow plugs, these I want to see, Rick

 

[Trigsbroom]

Ceramic glow plugs, these I want to see, Rick

What's the glowing tip made of then? I assumed it was ceramic