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Air lock
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:10 pm
by oggy
Hi there does anybody know how to get an air lock out of the fuel line having some probs.
cheers oggy
Re: Air lock
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:42 pm
by The Great Pretender
oggy wrote:Hi there does anybody know how to get an air lock out of the fuel line having some probs.
cheers oggy
Why do you think there is an airlock?
Re: Air lock
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:36 am
by dandywarhol
Should self bleed oggy - maybe a pipe is drawing air or the fuel filter seal is leaky.
Re: Air lock
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:03 am
by brorabongo
The Great Pretender wrote:
Why do you think there is an airlock?
We are just wanting to rule out that possibility. Whats happening is....
When you first turn the key, engine turns over ok, and it sounds like it's going to fire up, so you let go of the key.....but it dies. After a
few attempts, it will fire and run smoothly. Even when the engine is still hot, you try to start her, and it takes a few attempts. The Glow plugs where replaced recently, and where tested again just to make sure they are still ok, and they are. There was power getting to the glow plug rail, when the plugs were replaced, although I hav'nt tried again since. Fuel filter is brand new and banjo strainer has been checked. When we changed the fuel filter, we would of introduced air into the fuel system? as we did not fill the new filter with diesel before fitting. (Never did when I changed my own, and I have had no problems since.)
Oggy's bongo has the engine pre-heat system with twin batteries, can this system cause problems like he's experiencing? I think he found it does start better (just) when the Pre-heat system is swithed on?
Cheers.
Re: Air lock
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:13 pm
by The Great Pretender
Are you certain there isn't a slight fuel leak somewhere as that would give the symptoms your getting.
It sounds like as the pump is the highest point in the fuel system, a small amount of fuel could be leaking allowing air to trap at the inlet of the pump. The fuel in the pump allows the motor to start then the air pocket enters the pump and it stalls. Crank it a couple of times and fuel is then back in the pump.
Re: Air lock
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:39 pm
by ronhud
A bit of a wild one - but is the plastic 'cap' below the fuel filter fully tight?
Ron
Re: Air lock
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:00 pm
by John the sparky
sounds like a problem I had with a Kangoo,
turned out to be a crack in fuel filter after a service in my case, but not suggesting that is the cause...
but airr would bleed in, (fuel would leak out) and rise to a high spot, in the pipework in my case.....
so when you started, the fuel in the pump ould run it, it would then suck in the bubble of air and stop, then it would start after a bit of a churn and run fine until you stopped for a bit!
can't believe it would be a loose glowplug, as you'd loose compression, but could it be a loose coupling knocked when the plugs were changed?
John
Re: Air lock
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:01 pm
by Harry
Find the fuel pump under the driver's seat.
Have a good grope around underneath to check for fuel leaks....not just when the engine is shut down but also when it is idleing and revving.
If you find any evidence of leaking then you need the seals changing.
Sounds exactly like my prob but the leak was intermittant...mainly appeared just after revving when the revs dropped to idle (then the engine stopped!)
Not a major job and could be DIY'd by someone more competent than me. My garage boss gave the job to the apprentice with the smallest hands and he dis the job in situ in about half an hour using the factsheet from this site.
good luck
H

Re: Air lock
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:03 pm
by oggy
Thanks to all for the advice, managed to sorted out the problem it was the fuel filter that was full of air. Running as sweet as a nut now.
Cheers
Thanks again.

Re: Air lock
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:06 pm
by dandywarhol
Next time fill the new filter with injector cleaner before screwing it on - that soon cleans out the system and bleeds it.
Re: Air lock
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:17 pm
by Bob
Well done guys.
