Van only starts using cold start lever

[Bryce]

Had this issue since I've owned the van and not long had it back from garage who checked and set all the timings, glow plugs, tappets and emptied my wallet.

It used to stall at idle when I pushed the lever on so have always driven it pulled out but noticed now after starting it will idle with the lever pushed back.

Garage said its just wear and tear from having an old engine and suspect somone has played with fuel pump settings which they can't undo.

I would like to try and find the cause and put it right if I can. It's a 1.6 jx

Can anyone point me in the direction of what to look at next?
Cheers

[Stesaw]

I'm no expert at all, especially on diesel but does the vaccum unit on the fuel pump hold vaccum? As for fuel pump settings, No idea on that I just know it needs to be timed right along with the cam.

I am sure one of the smart people will be about to explain things in much more detail.

[davidoft1]

It’s most likely wear in the pump, needs the timing advancing a little

[Bryce]

Thanks for the replies, so looks like a case of just live with it or get the pump refurbished/replaced when I have spare few £££s lying around!

[davidoft1]

Thanks for the replies, so looks like a case of just live with it or get the pump refurbished/replaced when I have spare few £££s lying around!

Or turn the pump to make up for the wear , pumps are reasonably expensive to rebuild

[Bryce]

Yeh from what I've read in wiki etc looks like it would be a 300 to 500 job for a rebuild

By turning the pump do you mean adjusting it? Seen a few comments about turning a screw to pass mot emission tests but never looked further as mine passed no problems, even though it blows a cloud on start up (pretty sure mechanic just didn't want to go near it. didn't even get an advisory on a 34 Yr old van)

[davidoft1]

Yeh from what I've read in wiki etc looks like it would be a 300 to 500 job for a rebuild

By turning the pump do you mean adjusting it? Seen a few comments about turning a screw to pass mot emission tests but never looked further as mine passed no problems, even though it blows a cloud on start up (pretty sure mechanic just didn't want to go near it. didn't even get an advisory on a 34 Yr old van)

I would say more like £500-700 now , it’s just like adjusting the timing on petrol van , need to set it up correctly, any diesel specialists near you , the screw is the fuel metering screw, that’s not what I’m talking about

[Bryce]

Ah right, the garage that I had it at seemed to think there was no way to re set it and a full replacement or refurb was only option.

Sorry for stupid question but are all diesel pumps fairly similar so just need to look for generic diesel specialist or will it be a vw specialist? Take it its well out the league of a amateur spanner wielder?

Cheers

[davidoft1]

Ah right, the garage that I had it at seemed to think there was no way to re set it and a full replacement or refurb was only option.

Sorry for stupid question but are all diesel pumps fairly similar so just need to look for generic diesel specialist or will it be a vw specialist? Take it its well out the league of a amateur spanner wielder?

Cheers

Any diesel specialist or anyone who knows a little about diesels , it’s not a particular difficult job

[Bryce]

Just talked to a local diesel specialist who said it would be about 2 hrs labour to set pump and check injectors so going to let the professionals have a look.

Cheers for the help!

[jas915]

What is the actual problem as you say it now idles fine with the lever pushed in. Thats how it should be. Just need the lever to help with starting.

[Oldiebut goodie]

WHS ^^^^ Normal operation.
I assumed that there was something else was wrong but I couldn't see what the problem was but the other replies were party to some information that I wasn't. That is why I never said anything earlier.
 

[Bryce]

I thought you shouldn't need the cold start unless it was about - 5c? It still sounds rougher with the lever in after start but just doesn't stall anymore so thought may still be underlying issues.

It also needs the throttle pumped for it to catch on start

I'm trying to get rid of the cloud of smoke on start up and under load and following the smokey jx guide I guess the pump and injectors are the only thing left to look at? If not one of the above then compression test?

[davidoft1]

It should start and idle with the lever pushed in even when cold in this country, just makes it run a bit smoother/quieter.

[Bryce]

On closer inspection this morning I think I have bigger problems, got a big fuel leak on pump that I can't find source of and the lda is not working.


Lots of work and forum reading in the new year I think