Hi, i have an 97 Escort Estate TDI (think it's 1.8).
The performance is excellent and I'm getting between 50 and 58 mph on long runs between Riga and Cesis in Latvia.
However, every so often it "coughs" or hesitates. After this, it carries on as normal. All other performance is fine, expect it has (as a result of one of these coughs, cut out about 3 times when standing still).
If it was a petrol engine, I'd say I had an intermittent ignition problem, but I'm not all that familiar with diesels.
Don't think it would be the fuel distibution pump or an injector, or it would happen more often. Could it be a fuel filter maybe ?
Any help or guideance would be much appreciated from you diesel speciallists :-)
Good long weekend to all..............englishbullterrier
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The first thing to do would be change the fuel filter, if its is clogged it will try and suck air into the system, giving the symptoms you have. Failing that check the fuel line for leaks.
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Thanks, I'll look for it's location.....
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Don't diesel fuel filters sometimes collect water in the bottom? Might not the fuel quality in east Europe be sometimes a bit iffy? I would be looking for something like that.
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If its the same engine as a similar aged Mondeo there's a priming pump, a rubber bulb on teh top of the engine. These have been known to split causing similar problems. Try putting a rubber glove over it and holding it on airtight with a couple of rubber bands.
Run the engine, if it inflates or deflates the bulb needs replacing.
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I had the same trouble with my escort 1.8TD. It was the priming pump. It started like you describe and got progressively worse over months until one it just stalled and wouldn't start. Called out RAC and the first thing he did was slowly push the primer because he could smell diesel. There was little resistance to his pressure and thus he came up with his diagnosis. The 2nd ford TD that week he'd beeen to with the same problem he said.
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WOW ! thanks for all the input. I'll look for and try and find the priming pump. I need to solve the problem before it fails completely as there are no roadside recovery clubs like the RAC or AA over here !!! ebt
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Hmm.....found the priming pump (on top of the fuel filter housing) and there is excellent backpressure on the priming (rubber) bulb.
I think I will start by changing the fuel filter !!!
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Not a bad idea. If it hasn't been changed in a while it's only good that you are changing it anyway. I knew when mine needed changing because i'd notice a loss of power. Even after six months A fuel and air filter change would produce a noticeable increase in power. Sometimes I think you pick up some crap during refueling whether it's coming from the filling station or gets in while your filling.
That priming pump will come in handy after you have changed the filter ; )
After changing filter take the top fuel pipe of the fuel filter housing while you push the primer. This allows the air to escape. When desiel starts to come through, replace the pipe. Mine took about 15secs of cranking to start after that.
Another issue I had was where the 4 fuel pipes enter the cylinders (injectors)on the top of the engine block the nuts holding the pipes in used to come loose. If so you can see the fuel around the nuts where it's escaping esspecially after a long journey.
Thing is any leak in the fuel system allows air in and the fuel to flow back towards the tank hence why I had to prime the fuel system if my car had been standing for a few day's, hence why I over worked the primer and split the rubber diaphram.
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Haven't had chance to change the priming pump yet as I've been away. However, problem is definately getting much worse. Cutting out now when coming to lights (ie, when the engine revs are on he way to idle) and also getting more difficult to start, even after a long run and standing for a few mins, with the engine at normal running temperature.
Can you tell me the purpose of the priming pump please and is it very expensive ? Is it camshaft or belt driven and is it easy to change ?
Many thanks..............ebt
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Priming pump is a stand alone unit, which when pumped, draws the deisel up the fuel lines to the diesel pump at a pressure.
It aint connected to either the camshaft or any belts, just bolted to a bracket on the side of the engine, with 2 snapfit fuel pipes.
I bought one yesterday and it cost just over 72 quid with vat.
I have a similar problem but this did not solve my fault, i now have slight fuel leak coming from the snapfit pipe on the main feed from the primer pump to the diesel pump, which i think is allowing air to enter the fuel system overnight, causing erratic starting and running when cold. I have ordered replacement main feed fuel pipe and hope this sorts it out.
My symptoms are trouble starting when stood overnight, slight white/grey smoke, erratic idling and loss of power, however after a short run, when hot it runs great.
I have replaced primer pump, glow plugs fuel and air filter, so hoping its the leaking fuel line.
Any other ideas ??
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