Friend with a borken van in the Wirral - are there any shiters that can help?

[Slartibartfast]

A friend of mine is in dire straits. Her husband's Renault Trafic has shit itself in some unspecified way and he can't run his cleaning business without it. Are there any shiters local who would be willing to go and have a look and see if it can be bodged in any way? I know it's a big ask as a relative newbie here, but if anyone is able to help I'd be very grateful. I'm happy to return favours in kind at a later date although being so far away (South Coast) I don't know what form that may take.

[Cavcraft]

We have a few shiters on the Wirral, might be worth mentioning where it is and seeing if anyone could help.

[Slartibartfast]

Thanks, I'm prodding her for more info.

[overrun]

I'll throw gear linkages in for a starter!

[Slartibartfast]

OK, I've got more info.

 

"It's a Renault Traffic 1.9 DCI, 2004, SL27, 100 panel van. They think the high pressure fuel pump is knackered. And the cylinder head and injectors probably need replacing. The alternator is fine, the battery is fine, the starter motor is fine, the engine turns but doesn't fire. The hand fuel pump primer is dry."

 

I know from my own experiences with Ford TDCI engines that fuel pump replacements can be expensive. Does this sound like something that can be sorted for less than about £200?

 

They're in Birkenhead.

[Supernaut]

 

" the high pressure fuel pump is knackered. And the cylinder head and injectors probably need replacing. The alternator is fine, the battery is fine, the starter motor is fine, the engine turns but doesn't fire. The hand fuel pump primer is dry."

 

Does this sound like something that can be sorted for less than about £200?

 

 

 

 

Sorry, but LOL, no.

[jonathan_dyane]

I'm sorry to say it sounds fucked.

[Rusty_Rocket]

It'll almost certainly be a 'throw-away and start again job' I'm afraid, but it is worth seeing if it'll start with a sniff of ether (easy start).  The high pressure pumps can get weak and the injectors won't fire until the rail sees a certain pressure.

Easy start can temporarily allow the engine to fire, which turns the pump faster, generates sufficient pressure and allows the engine to run.. like nothing untoward has happened.  Worth a try.

 

This is exactly why I run old fashioned mechanical diesels !

[Slartibartfast]

Bugger. Oh well

[Slartibartfast]

Thanks Rusty, I'll pass that on.

[Cavcraft]

The only person who could have that fixed for £200 is Theshadow, and he works magic.

[twosmoke300]

I would check the fuel rail pressure sensor wiring first . I've seen a few of those rubbed through by the wanky airbox that seems to be always seems to be hanging off . Ditto the fuel pipes that run around it

[PrivatePike]

If the hand primer is dry are they sure it hasn't just run out of fuel? You could try removing the outlet pipe on the hp pump to bleed the air out with the hand primer.

If it needs injectors they will almost certainly be seized in the head and will require a specialist to remove, even then there's no guarantee they'll come out.

[Station]

I would help, but couldn't fix it.

[Slartibartfast]

If the hand primer is dry are they sure it hasn't just run out of fuel? You could try removing the outlet pipe on the hp pump to bleed the air out with the hand primer.

If it needs injectors they will almost certainly be seized in the head and will require a specialist to remove, even then there's no guarantee they'll come out.

Did you de-lurk just to post that? If so, thank you, I appreciate it. I'm passing all the advice on.

[Supernaut]

I've heard horror stories about Renault Espaces (I think) and removing the diesel injectors.

 

It involves lifting the entire front end of the car with an engine crane attached to the injector, and the injector still doesn't come out.

[Uncle Jimmy]

I'd second the ether, if there's fuel in the system ether squirted into the intake will start it...eventually.

You may have air in the fuel pump or an air leak to the fuel filter.

Checking the glow plug circuit....should be fairly simple.