Ford Escort 1.8 TDI 1997, (Not common rail.) - Diesel help PLEASE

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Fri 15 Jun 2012 08:45
Ford Escort 1.8 TDI 1997, (Not common rail.) - Diesel help PLEASE - Englishbullterrier
I wonder if any diesel specialists could give me some pointers please ?

My 1997 TDI simply will not idle at all. It runs PERFECTLY on the road, but any time I have to stop, it dies immediately. The only was I can get going again is to jump out, reprime the system using the priming pump, get in, restart and drive away. I'm having to left foot brake and keep the engine running with my right.

I am guessing that the injector pump is shot, as I believe the idle is all handled within it ?

If it is, maybe it needs to go to the car cemetary in the sky ?

Any help much appreciated........ebt
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 15 Jun 2012 13:17
Ford Escort 1.8 TDI 1997, (Not common rail.) - Diesel help PLEASE - Peter.N.

If priming the system will enable it to restart I would suggest that you have air getting into the fuel system, this could be a leak at a joint almost anywhere between the tank and the pump but the most likely place is around the fuel filter. Has the filter been changed recently because if blocked that will cause it to suck air. I would think its unlikely to be the pump at fault unless this is a known problem with them.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 15 Jun 2012 16:22
Ford Escort 1.8 TDI 1997, (Not common rail.) - Diesel help PLEASE - hardway
More oe less gve up testing the fuel filter housing on these,they all failed.
My local diesel specialist sells direct replacement filter/housings,pretty much always my first step to renew.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 16 Jun 2012 08:17
Ford Escort 1.8 TDI 1997, (Not common rail.) - Diesel help PLEASE - Englishbullterrier

Thanks both, I'll start there then.....

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 16 Jun 2012 10:09
Ford Escort 1.8 TDI 1997, (Not common rail.) - Diesel help PLEASE - AndyT

I agree with both the above. If this is the type of filter with the black button primer on the top, the diaphragm is well known for splitting and letting air in. Probably lucky it's still able to run. Seem to be plenty on ebay, search for, escort diesel primer.

Of course, it could also be one of the filter O-rings, or more unlikely, one of the copper washers on the bolt heads. One tip used to be, smear grease around all the joints on the filter/primer unit. This perfoms a temporary seal for testing, along with using a piece of clear piping from the filter to the pump to check for excess air ingress when the engine is running.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link