sediment light

[casls650]

When I start the sediment light comes on, and there is plenty of battery but it will not start. I then wait a couple of minutes turn it over again and it starts. I am not technically minded, so know I need to take it to a garage, but I would like to have some knowledge to take to the mechanic. I ve looked through the fact sheets and cant work out what the problem is.

Can anyone tell me where about the sediment is that the light is telling me about, and let me know if this is likely to be causing my starting problems.

thanks

Cas x

[Simon Jones]

Sediment light (when engine not running) indicates the fuel filter is contaminated with water. You can empty the filter as a short term fix but you'd be better off replacing it. If the sediment light and battery light comes on while driving it indictates the alternator is not charging.

The filter is under the van near the rear of the drivers seat. It looks like this:



This is a typical filter (just sold this one the other week):

[casls650]

[quote="Simon Jones"]Sediment light (when engine not running) indicates the fuel filter is contaminated with water. You can empty the filter as a short term fix but you'd be better off replacing it. If the sediment light and battery light comes on while driving it indictates the alternator is not charging.

The filter is under the van near the rear of the drivers seat. It looks like this:

Hi Simon

Thanks for the response. I have a couple more questions. Would they not change this on a service? How does it get water in it?

thanks

Cas x

[Simon Jones]

The service schedule factsheet indicates it should be changed every 50,000 Km or about 30,000 miles, although the recommendation is to replace it annually: http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... hedule.pdf

If you went to a well known Bongo-friendly garage and asked for a full fluids and filters service then I'd expect it would have been done. If it were a bog-standard garage, you may not get all the necessary work done.

The filter is there to collect general contaminants in the fuel and this will include seperating moisture that is present in the fuel and the tank. This will sit on top of the diesel inside the filter which causes a float to move which controls the light. Diesel fuel is more likely to contain water than petrol as it is less refined.

Of course, it's quite feasible the filter has been replaced correctly by the garage, but you've had a few tanks of dodgy fuel which has now contaminated it. Best bet is to replace it and then run a few tanks of decent non-supermarket diesel through to ensure it's nice and clean.

[casls650]

Thank you for the explanation. I will book her in to be done.

Cas x

[rita]

casls650,when the ignition is turned On the sediment check light Should come on, when the engine starts the light should go out, looks like yours is acting normally.

Good Luck.