Ford Escort (1993 - 2000) - 98 18.d Diesel non-turbo non starting

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Fri 8 Jan 2010 19:00
98 18.d Diesel non-turbo non starting - Vanless Carl
Any help appreciated. Have van which was fine on v cold morning (-12c) when I set out but died on A34 at 40mph. Recovered home by RAC. Only bought van at start of week and ran fine. Filled tank night before breakdown (Tesco).Have looked through this forum and have replaced plugs and fuel filter housing. Was ice (crystals) in filter. All cleared now, but still wont start (no fuel coming from outlet of filter). Van parked outside house in 3" snow. Have basic tool set (inc sockets). Assume fuel line clogged, maybe also tank? Any suggestions? Thanks

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 09/01/2010 at 00:03

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Fri 8 Jan 2010 20:47
98 18.d Diesel 1.8 non-turbo non starting - Peter.N.
Does it have a primer on top of the fuel filter? If so it could be that the diaphragm is leaking and allowing air in, did you actually change the filter element? Does the primer go hard as if it was filling with fuel?
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Fri 8 Jan 2010 22:49
98 18.d Diesel 1.8 non-turbo non starting - Vanless Carl
Hi. thanks for the reply. The housing I replaced contains the diaphragm and now seems to hold pressure when primed, but apparently without any fuel in it. Am becoming convinced must be crystals in the fuel line. Suspect either wait for thaw or get some heat on it. Not sure whether the tank is likely to be affected.

{txt/msn jargon replaced with proper words}

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 09/01/2010 at 00:04

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Fri 8 Jan 2010 23:14
98 18.d Diesel 1.8 non-turbo non starting - Peter.N.
You can check the fuel line by disconnecting it and blowing into it, if its clear you should be able to feel it and will also hear bubbles in the fuel tank.
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Sun 10 Jan 2010 15:10
98 18.d Diesel 1.8 non-turbo non starting - Vanless Carl
Hi. Thanks. Sorted now. Was crud fuel from Tesco. Dirty and watery!. Half hour with hair dryer and diesel cleaner sorted it. Branded only from now on! Cheers
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