help 1.6 diesel engine keeps cutting out , loss of power

[dannymondo]

Hi all.
First problem was coolant level kept dropping so had to top up regularly.

Secondly this mornin ( bloody cold morning ) started camper and headed off ,five minutes later noticed lack of speed when accelerating ( yep , it is a 1600 regular diesel , but still ) so pulled over and turned off engine.
Re- started engine then headed off again ( seemingly fine ).

After another five minutes ( now on the motorway ) engine loses a lot of power so pulled over into layby.
Engine now cutting out , but able to restart with a bit of encouragement on the accelerator, then eventually cuts out again.

Checked water/coolant levels , which seem fine.
Only topped up with diesel yesterday.

Could it be the head gasket
or is it a fuel problem?

If anyone can shed some light on this I would be most grateful
Many Thanks

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

I would check the easy things first - air filter and fuel distribution... the fuel lines should have no air in them - fair few posts recently about getting air out of supply lines. Have you run the tank fairly empty at all recently? Could be a fuel blockage.

If the head gasket were causing water loss at the pistons you'd probably be driving along with a big white cloud behind you. Did you find the cause of the coolant levels dropping?


Good luck!

Ewen

[dannymondo]

Cheers for response,
I usually get a bit of bluey/white smoke when I start engine first thing , but thought that was common with an ageing (1982) diesel.
I was waiting for slightly warmer weather to get underneath and check for coolant leaks.
I will try and check fuel supply tomorrow.

thanks

[Plasticman]

Without delving I would say that the fuel filter is the first thing I would cha nge out, if youve just got the van then you dont know the history,
looking down on the engine from the rear the fuel filter is to your right and forward on the bulkhead, old off, newe filled with fuel refit and start, see how it goes before any other works to fuel system
mike

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

I agree with Mike's good advice - especially if you have run the tank low (why I asked that question).... I would just say (from my experience) that if you change the filter, as well as priming it, you really do have pull the fuel through all the way to the pump with some vacuum device with no air leaks, otherwise you'll give your battery and starter a hell of a time trying to get the fuel from the tank up... Perhaps there's another trick I don't know about.

Whitish smoke on startup is unburnt diesel and probably to be expected- if it goes away and doesn't smoke while driving then I'd say it's not the head gasket.

Ewen

[dannymondo]

Thank you all for your fine advice , will check out this weekend starting with fuel filter.
cheers

[dannymondo]

Hi all
Had a look yesterday , and there are visible air bubbles in the fuel line between filter and injector. The filter is a twist on type with a water drain-off at the bottom.
I drained it off into a cup , sort of opaque yellowy liquid with a little bit sediment.
The question is , if I replace the filter , what can I use to drain all air out of lines.
Also , I suppose if i did replace the filter and removed all air , and still had problems , it must be the fuel pump.
Is this correct or am I the right dog barkin up the wrong tree.

cheers to all who respond and accommodate my ignorance in this departemento.

[Plasticman]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, well you dont technically drain the air out but I know what you mean, get a new filter and fill it with diesel and refit nice and snug, then start the van, injection pump is also the fuel pump so to speak.
Are you meaning that the pipe from the filter to the pump is transparent? and you see bubbles in it? ( sounds like a good trip )
then you will be drawing air from somewhere, for now I would replace the filter as above, make sure pipes to and from Filter are tightish and have a look under and make sure the pipe from the tank(O.S.R corner of tank) is secure.
then report back here
mike

[dannymondo]

Yep , the pipe is transparent and I,m seeing several bubbles in it . will try and get part and hopefully have a go mon eve if poss.
Cheers for help.

[Plasticman]

Ok, whereabouts are you
M

[DJZ]

I have exactly the same problem on my 1600 D. Only recently lost all power when driving and cutting out when you take foot off excelerator. I have same problem of losing water when I check the tank but don't know where it's going. I have had it pressure tested and no leaks I think mine is the Fuel Filter but waiting for some dry slightly warmer weather before diving in Will keep an eye on yours and let you know if I fix mine.

[dannymondo]

Hi metalmickey
Iam in Brighton.Just put on new fuel filter ( primed with diesel ) . Got it started after 3rd attempt , ran good for about 30 seconds then started to cut out .
Carried on restarting which was ok but would then cut out eventually.

Hmm
Cheers

[dannymondo]

hi DJZ
Will keep you posted re cutting out etc.
Fingers crossed

cheers

D

[Plasticman]

Well it started 3rd time which shows most of the important bits should be ok, except it would seem that fuel is missing...
After it finaly stopped did you try anymore to start it, ? if not then whip the filter back off and you may find its empty if so then you may have a blockage from there to the tank.
mike

[kit]

Fit a non return valve on the fuel line between this filter and the pump a lot of diesel owners on here have done that.