ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car

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Thu 6 Jan 2011 21:41
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba

hey, first post on here and hope I can get help. My trouble started on 20th December after my car had been lying in the cold weather, without being started for 5days. Temps were always -5 or worse. The car turned over fine but would not fire up. Eventually got a mechanic to come tonight (6th January 11) and he managed to jump start it for about 30 seconds at a time, was running really lumpy for the few seconds and just cut out again. He thinks it may need a ford fault reader on it (?) Thing is, can't get it to a garage 'cos it doesn't actually run!!

Does anybody have any ideas what this fault might be? The car ran perfectly until it was left sittiing in the cold and now it's nearly 3weeks since it ran and tonight's the first time anyone has managed to get it to "catch" at all.

Best regards

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Thu 6 Jan 2011 22:08
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - elekie&a/c doctor

I would start by replacing the fuel filter.This is a cheap and easy job,but make sure the new filter is primed with diesel otherwise the system will be a real pig to bleed.hth

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Fri 7 Jan 2011 15:33
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba

Thanks for that. Just need to wait and see what parts I'm going to need now :(

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Sat 8 Jan 2011 20:13
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - lilley

Change your fuel filter it is probably choked with diesel wax. All a casualty of the cold weather. It is not a difficult job when the old one is out you will be able to check the contents.

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Wed 26 Jan 2011 17:41
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba

Hi everyone

Well, car is still dead :( Replaced air/fuel filter, drained diesel and replaced with new. No fault codes show on diagnostics, still turns over (really wants to start) get white puffs of smoke from exhaust and that's it.

I've been reading lots of forums but there's so many different answers. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to try next?? My thoughts at the moment are camshaft or crankshaft/ sensor? Or maybe Fuel regulator? There is apparently 350bar of pressure (don't ask me where as that's all I was told) showing on diagnostic machine, I was under the impression that it needed a lot more than this to start??

I'm getting desperate now, mechanic is advising we may need to tow it to a diesel engine specialist. Am I throwing good money after bad? Only bought the car last March for £5k so, can't really affors another if this one is truly dead or not worth saving.

Help please!!!

Thanks

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Wed 26 Jan 2011 17:47
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - gfewster

Based on prior history of the model, your best bet is probably to replace the camshaft position sensor. This is a £25 part that you can easily fit yourself, one bolt and one electrical connection on the top of the camshaft cover.

These engines suffer a lot from 'cut out / won't start' problems, and a high proportion are caused by a faulty camshaft position sensor. I'm not saying yours is, but considering the cost of the part and cost of (next to useless) diagnostics from a Ford Dealer, it is probably worth trying it before you go any further.

If it doesn't solve the problem then you need to find a knowledgeable independent diesel specialist who can perform proper, old-fashioned diagnostics without relying on fault codes.

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Wed 26 Jan 2011 18:28
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba

Based on prior history of the model, your best bet is probably to replace the camshaft position sensor. This is a £25 part that you can easily fit yourself, one bolt and one electrical connection on the top of the camshaft cover.

These engines suffer a lot from 'cut out / won't start' problems, and a high proportion are caused by a faulty camshaft position sensor. I'm not saying yours is, but considering the cost of the part and cost of (next to useless) diagnostics from a Ford Dealer, it is probably worth trying it before you go any further.

If it doesn't solve the problem then you need to find a knowledgeable independent diesel specialist who can perform proper, old-fashioned diagnostics without relying on fault codes.

many thanks. I'll definately get mechanic to try this. I will update once this been done

Thanks

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Sun 9 Jan 2011 13:42
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - dh1983

I recently had this problem in december2010, the garage said the fuel had froze and created an air blockage, they replaced the fuel filter and also my battery, I havent had the problem since, fingers crossed

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Thu 27 Jan 2011 15:51
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba

UPDATE!!!

Friend used a fault reader and is getting..............................

" lost communication with body control module" U0104<<<<< I don't know if I picked up the code correctly as this isn't the right one associated with lost communication. Also. don't know if this is new but, hazard light button and indicators do NOT flash inside the car but, they are workiing outside. I will be trying the camshaft sensor tomorrow but not sure now if that's what it is?

Next step, diesel engineer?

Many thanks

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Fri 28 Jan 2011 09:17
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - gfewster

Well that suggests (on the face of it, remember fault codes aren't gospel) an electrical problem.

Possibly the fuse that feeds the body control module.

Will it start at all? I'd now tend towards an auto-electrician, but you often find that independent diesel specialists are pretty good with electrics - or that they have a guy they use regularly for such things.

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Fri 28 Jan 2011 14:06
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba
Hi, it just turns over, starts a bit sometimes (really rough) and then immediately cuts out. I'll get the fuse checked and if that's not the problem, I'll take it to the diesel mechanic and see what he says.

Thanks for now :D
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Fri 28 Jan 2011 16:41
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba
Hi again. Camshaft sensor didn't work. Thinking fuel regulator or fuel volume regulator solenoid? Worth a try???

Thank you
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Thu 3 Feb 2011 13:51
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba
hi again, last gasp attempt and then it's going for scrap as I can't afford to keep throwing money at it :(

Changed fuel pressure regulator and now it's more keen to start but cuts out instantly. When pipe from manifold to turbo is taken off, there is loads of exhaust emmissions present and none at tailpipe - is that normal or does it point to a different problem?

I really hope someone can help as the car cost me £5k in March last year, I can't afford to replace it. So far,

camshaftposition sensor
air/fuel filter - which were seriously old and filthy
new diesel
fuel rail/fuel pressure regulator

Many thanks
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Fri 4 Feb 2011 08:22
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba
Anybody???? Please???? Thank you.
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Fri 4 Feb 2011 10:00
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - Fernando P

Looks like you will have find a way to "spend to save" and get the car to a diesel engine specialist to get a grip of the problem and hopefully solve it in the most cost effective way. If you scrap the car, as you suggest, not only will you have lost £5K (less a years depreciation) and have no car - but you will have to find the money for an older, lower priced car, which also could have some inherent problems. If the car is otherwise in good order and worth keeping then that is the course of action you need to consider.

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Fri 4 Feb 2011 10:14
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - dieselnut

Your problem started during the really cold weather when the car had been sat in well below freezing temps for days. Could the engine have frozen & when you tried starting, perhaps the timing belt ( not sure if this engine is chain or belt drive ) slipped a notch or 2.

I would get the timing checked.

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Fri 4 Feb 2011 23:47
ford focus1.8 tdci - fuel problem, dead car - istaxbubba

Thanks everyone for your help. I will ask mechanic to check timing but, the car is now on Ebay as a non-runner :( I don't have much money to spend and would rather spend what I do have on another car than keep throwing money at this one. But, thanks again anyway.

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