Vauxhall Combo won't go

[ukminch]

I always get good answers off here, so here's hoping:thumbup1:

 

Got a vauxhall combo 1.3 diesel van 04 model that won't go. Symptons were a lot of smoke, rough running, and a fuel leak by the high pressure pump. I assumed it was the pump due to the fuel leak and changed it for a known good secondhand one. Van attempted to fire but wouldn't go, supposed to be self bleeding but i've cracked the injectors off anyway and got fuel coming through to them. Battery went flat after a while, which I charged.

 

As a last resort tried tow starting it, but to no avail. Beginning to wonder if the fuel pump leak was actually seperate to the problem???

 

R

[agg221]

What colour was the smoke?

 

Alec

[ukminch]

I wasn't driving it when it broke so can't be sure but it was described as whiteish...

[agg221]

White is unburnt fuel or water. Is the water level down?

 

Alec

[geoff]

Sounds a bit like it could be the head gasket,or pump timing.

[agg221]

Sounds a bit like it could be the head gasket,or pump timing.

 

Yep, that's where I'm going too. If the water level is down it'll be head gasket, otherwise I reckon it's pump timing.

 

Alec

[ukminch]

Don't think it's head gasket, no oil in water or vice versa. I'm confused as to how this engine works, as the pump isn't timed, it's a common rail setup, from what I understand the pump in continuous on the cam and the injectors are electronically controlled?

 

I was wondering if the timing chain could have skipped as now it won't go at all, even on tow starting.

[geoff]

Could be an ecu or cable conection fault if its electronicaly controlled injection,but thats just a guess as its beyond my knowledge level,hope you get it fixed quick & cheap,let us know how you get on with it too.

[ukminch]

I hope so to!! It bothers me that it did run, although very rough before I took the pump off, and now it won't run at all, as I said though the two could be unrelated. I only see the van twice a year or so................

[agg221]

Don't think it's head gasket, no oil in water or vice versa.

 

You don't necessarily see it. You only see this if the gasket has gone between water and oil galleries. The running pressure on diesels is so high that you can run for a fair while with only slight seepage. If you could get it started, you could undo the cap on the water bottle (before it gets hot) and watch the bubbles coming through.

 

If you haven't got water level dropping though it's not the gasket.

 

The timing can stretch, but it can't skip. In this case, I reckon Geoff's right and it would be worth investigating the electronic timing, which is a garage job.

 

Alec