smoke + rough idle at startup - leaking diesel pump?

[sfinnie]

Hello all

Our Bella is suffering as per subject. On startup, there's white smoke and tickover is very lumpy. It's like a mis-firing petrol engine - except she's diesel (SGL5). Things improve when she's warmed up, with no obvious loss of power.

At the last service, it was noted there was some leakage around the diesel pump. We were quoted £700 to replace - which was unexpectedly steep.

I'd appreciate any thoughts:

1. Is a leaky pump consistent with the symptoms?
2. Is there a cheaper option to rectifying? I've read elsewhere about getting the pump reconditioned - Lawson Diesel in Edinburgh has been mentioned a few times. We're in the Scottish Borders, so Edinburgh easily accessible.

Thanks for any advice/suggestions.

-Scott.

[teenmal]

Unfortunately Lawson Diesel were Wound up in March this year, and unfortunately again the price you were quoted would probably be for a reconditioned unit. Was the operation of the glow plugs tested, is the vehicle using any water/coolant.

Leaking seals can cause faults to occur but depending on which seal it could be a relatively inexpensive repair. Its got a wee bit nippy up here in the last few days and if the glow plugs/heaters are not 100% you could get similar symptoms.

Take Care

[Northern Bongolow]

try this.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=60029&p=585176&hili ... ds#p585176.

this also may help. sorry for the lack of pics but you should get the idea. i will post a link to the 2 solenoids mentioned below.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43354&hilit=cold+start+solenoids.

21 and 22 on this drawing is the 2 solenoids referred to in the above link.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mazda ... LCqMWUFI4M:

these are the solenoids close up.

http://www.bongospares.co.uk/shop/uncat ... -solenoid/.

check the rubber pipework to and from them carefully, its vac pipe so any leaks must be repaired for them to operate.

[sfinnie]

Unfortunately Lawson Diesel were Wound up in March this year, and unfortunately again the price you were quoted would probably be for a reconditioned unit.

Ah - that would be why the phone number was out of service when I tried earlier. Oh dear (on Lawson demise + price)

Was the operation of the glow plugs tested, is the vehicle using any water/coolant.

Don't know if plugs were tested. It does use coolant though... what's that symptomatic of?

Leaking seals can cause faults to occur but depending on which seal it could be a relatively inexpensive repair. Its got a wee bit nippy up here in the last few days and if the glow plugs/heaters are not 100% you could get similar symptoms.

Take Care

Thanks. Any suggestions on how to diagnose further? Very grateful for your help.

[sfinnie]

try this.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=60029&p=585176&hili ... ds#p585176.

this also may help. sorry for the lack of pics but you should get the idea. i will post a link to the 2 solenoids mentioned below.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43354&hilit=cold+start+solenoids.

21 and 22 on this drawing is the 2 solenoids referred to in the above link.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mazda ... LCqMWUFI4M:

these are the solenoids close up.

http://www.bongospares.co.uk/shop/uncat ... -solenoid/.

check the rubber pipework to and from them carefully, its vac pipe so any leaks must be repaired for them to operate.

Excellent - thanks. On the weekend's "TODO" list. On the assumption it needs some deeper investigation/repair, any suggestions for a good garage in the Edinburgh / Borders area?

[Bob]

Loosing coolant coupled with your symptoms may not be good, but someone with more techie knowledge that me may have thoughts.

[sfinnie]

Loosing coolant coupled with your symptoms may not be good, but someone with more techie knowledge that me may have thoughts.

Oh dear. Care to expand?

[g8dhe]

The coolant system is a sealed and pressurised system, loss of coolant in the diesel normally leads to a cracked head - Normal advice is DON'T USE IT until you locate the leak and fix it!!! Air in the system will cause an airlock followed rapidly with an overheat/boilover and a cracked head, folowed by a £1500 bill to replace head.....