Reconditioning diesel engines

[gldgti]

the starter eath cable stuff is all good, but if its cranking over ok then make sure its not air thats the problem...

make absolutely positively sure that you dont have any air leaks letting your pump drain dry after the engines been off for a while. when i say this, i mean tighten all of your fuel line hose clamps so that you KNOW that air wont get in, make absolutely sure that your return lines are all without holes or cracks (they tend to crack up where they go over the nipple on the side of the injectors) and that all the banjo fittings on your pump are secure.

a lot of people go on about having air in the system making your diesel run badly, but the golf pump is not so susceptible because of its "self priming" ability - it tends to bleed out the air quite well - when the engine is running. SOME pumps will self prime well, not all, and so air before startup is a problem. depending on where the air can get in and how you parked your car (slope etc) you might not have any problems at all with an air leak or you might have trouble starting all the time. its hit and miss, annoying and i'm speaking from experience - mine did this kind of thing after every fuel system adjustment at one time in the past...

[peter_j_g]

Like all good stories this has a happy ending!

I've added a big earth cable from the battery, this made a suprising difference, even though I had cleaned the original earth cable mounting points. The engine spins over much faster now.

I've also added the cam oil deflector (thanks crazygee) which has slowed down the accumulation of oil in the inlet manifold.

I've used a fuel additive and also have adjusted the max fuel screw on the injector pump back a bit.

Now it's running sweetly!

On hindsight the main problem probably was with the fuel, trouble is this car is just way too economical so it only gets filled up occasionally.... so I must drive it more!

Thanks for all the tips!

[imported_brackie]

Pleased that it all turned out right for you, Peter. Cherish your diesel. She is precious! (I'm desparately trying to sort my Pug diesel and get it right for licensing. Heaps to do but no time!)