Hi, I've just gave my car a full service and now I can't get the engine to start.

Pretty sure the problems with the fuel filter (bleeding).

I've serviced many cars before and had no problem, I just replaced the fuel filter and turned the engine a few times and they all started no prob.

No fuel was coming through so I removed the outlet hose of the filter and sucked the diesel through but still no joy in starting.

The car is a MK2 Focus Zetec 1.8TDCI.

Any advice would be excellent.

[quote name='DieselDave' post='18782' date='Apr 7 2009, 04:14 PM']Hi, I've just gave my car a full service and now I can't get the engine to start.

Pretty sure the problems with the fuel filter (bleeding).

I've serviced many cars before and had no problem, I just replaced the fuel filter and turned the engine a few times and they all started no prob.

No fuel was coming through so I removed the outlet hose of the filter and sucked the diesel through but still no joy in starting.

The car is a MK2 Focus Zetec 1.8TDCI.

Any advice would be excellent.[/quote]
Sounds like air lock. Has your car got a squeeze pump in the fuel line under the bonnet? not all cars have these fitted as standard but if its there, give it a few pumps and it will suck through.
Some manufacturers get you to buy it as a service tool.

It'll take forever to fire up mate. Did you fill the new filter with diesel before fitting it? If not you've not only got to pump air out of the lines but also the whole filter full of air too. Theres no manual pump on them as they are self bleeding by cranking the engine.

Your best bet is to draw fuel through the return at the pump.

I'm having the same problem. The computer is claiming there is an "engine systems fault". Again a 1.8 TDCI.

I didnt fill the filter when originally replaced. Since seeing this post I've filled the fuel filter prior to cranking. Still no joy. I'm fairly certain that there is air in the system.

I get the impression that the fuel pump isnt trying to draw fuel from the filter. After removing the fuel pipes from the filter housing, there is no diesel evident. Also, the "engine systems fault", appears at stage 2 ignition. Any suggestions?

How would i go about drawing fuel via the fuel return line?

Thanks.

You sure you got the pipes on the new filter the right way round?

Yup, they will only fit on one way anyway, due to the length of the pipes.

Hi, you cant get the pipes wrong as there sized and only fit where they came off. you will have air in system still, try cracking open 2 fuel injector pipes a little then turn engine over untill air and diesel starts coming out of injectors, turn engine off, tighten injectors back up and should start.. may take some turning over still though so you may need a jump off another battery.
been there meself!! just the once!


steve





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