2.2dti fuel pump failure?

[jac2008]

Hi,

I'm a new member of the forum and would really appreciate your advice. My garage has recommended I get rid of my Frontera (part ex it for something else) whilst it's still drivable. The problem: engine electrics warning light is intermittently on - mainly when driving slowly through town, a bit of good acceleration and it goes off! The other day it wouldn't start for me - blew black smoke out the back. The man from the garage managed to start it eventually and got the electrics tested - he said the test said it was the electric pump and it would cost about £1500 to replace - although he wouldn't do it himself as it might not even be that which is the problem, but they won't know until it's been changed & he's been 'burnt' doing the work for people before - spending the money & it turns out not to be the problem. His advice was to part-ex it. But I just feel like I need a second opinion ... spending that much money on something that might not even be the problem sounds a bit odd.

OK, so I'm clearly not a car expert, but I do generally trust the garage (it's the husband of an acquiantance who runs it, and he has been pretty reliable & over the last 4 years).

The car's mainly used for short journeys round town - with occasional longer motorway trips. But I need to tow a horse trailer, so have to have a BIG car. I don't off road.

So, over to you - someone must have had this electric pump thingy problem in the past! HELP!

(PS - 25 March - have just changed subject title as suggested by alex ... and the car has just started after having been stood for a week whilst I was away!!!!!)

Cheers,

J.

[Drift]

Hi and welcome, do you have the year and engine size/type for the car please.

[Trugga]

Also, where abouts in the country are you would help us find parts and assistance.

Lawrence

[nitromotor]

Welcome to FOG
As said above, aquatint us with your model of Frontera and maybe we can help you in a most expedient manner.

[jac2008]

Hi,

It's a LWB 1999 T Reg, done 95,000 miles, based in Leeds. 2171 cc.

Not sure if it's relevant - but the problem started the day after after I'd filled up with diesel, having been running the car no more than half full for some time.

J.

[alex]

The 2.2 diesel does have a very expensive high pressure lift pump. If it is a dead one it will cost a lot, a recon will be expensive and a second hand questionable.

I dont know enough about them, having not owned one, the 2.2dti section will be full of usefull information, I'm sure a couple of the lads that have been down this route will advise better. Hopefully it isnt the pump, it may be worth changing the title to 2.2dti fuel pump failiure? to atract the right people.

[Red Oktober]

try changing the filters and replacing the leak-off pipes

[jac2008]

It's just had a service so filters & pipes (not sure which pipes!) have been done, but the light is still coming on and off as I drive. I can get it to go off by accelerating fairly hard, but it comes back on when the engine is idling at junctions or just trundling along slowly through town.

J.

[bofus]

Check all of the black vacuum pipes connecting the vacuum pump (back of cylinder head)
These pipes go to Turbo wastegate, turblulence flap and EGR via 3 solenoids on the near side inner wing

Unless it is below 5deg then there is no need for Glow plugs so they can be eliminated

Check that the battery and starter are 100% and the chassis to body to engine earth straps are good. My DTI is very fussy on having a very good battery, I have just had to replace a battery - the old one still starts my petrol Vectra fine even when -5 C

If it starts okay and runs fine then leak off pipes are unlikely, even less likely is a fuel pump failure. when the light is on does the engine loose power or not rev properly?

Also check the Alternator charge voltage as the ECU is very sensitive to low voltage.

If it isn't vacuum/doesn't go into limp home mode then change the Mass Air meter (MAF). After that ECU coolant temp sender.

If still no joy check compressions.

GT

[jac2008]

Cheers GT,

Having just been told today I'll only get £500 part-ex it's nice to know it might not be as bad as I've been led to believe. I'll look in to the things you've suggested.

Since the one day that the car didn't start it's been starting up fine, although I do feel like I need to be ready with the foot on the accelerator just to be on the safe side. Since this problem started a few weeks ago it's been running fine, but perhaps a bit noisier than usual ... and I've stuck to short journeys of 3 or 4 miles as I don't want to get stuck somewhere.

When the light's on it's when I'm just driving slowly with the revs below 2000, so it feels OK as I'm going along - not as if I'm losing power - but when I go to accelerate away from a junction it does feel like it's "sticky" until the revs get higher than 2000 and then 9 times out of 10 the light goes out.

J.

[bofus]

where abouts in the country are you? if you are local to Gloucester, I have a spare MAF, various sensors and a complete engine/pump in the garage