Technical Hard to start Ducato 1993 1.9d camper

[bugsymike]

Just a question (unless I’ve missed it somewhere) what mileage has it done? Could be a compression issue if on the higher side. Just a thought

Good point @Greasytrucker , it is something I should have asked, although many camper vans seem to be quite low mileage, unlike work vans of similar age.
In basic terms for the OP , diesel engines are also known as CI engines which means Compression Ignition, as in no or low compression equals no ignition
The heat of the compressed air ignites the injected fuel, hence they need good compression and with some engines more than others the use of heater plugs etc.
For the moment I would rule out the cheaper options first, before worn out engines.

 

[Greasytrucker]

hi, 130k

Not massive then really

 

[bugsymike]

Not massive then really

Although basically a car engine pulling a large body. Unlike the 2.8 camper vans where the same engine has been used in 6 tonne work vans and pick ups capable of often much more than 300K in Iveco Daily etc. My favourite older work vehicles.

 

[matt01fish]

Good point @Greasytrucker , it is something I should have asked, although many camper vans seem to be quite low mileage, unlike work vans of similar age.
In basic terms for the OP , diesel engines are also known as CI engines which means Compression Ignition, as in no or low compression equals no ignition
The heat of the compressed air ignites the injected fuel, hence they need good compression and with some engines more than others the use of heater plugs etc.
For the moment I would rule out the cheaper options first, before worn out engines.

hi, compression test performed all cylinders read around 300 psi, i think its a fuel supply issue now looking into the fuel filter/primer it looks like it has a pump in there, there are 2 connections to the filter/primer i presume one is a water sensor but dont know what the second is, ive traced the wires back to a relay bolted to the chassis above the battery and the other runs into the cab somewhere i presume to the ignition i dont get any voltage across this when the ignition is on

 

[bugsymike]

hi, compression test performed all cylinders read around 300 psi, i think its a fuel supply issue now looking into the fuel filter/primer it looks like it has a pump in there, there are 2 connections to the filter/primer i presume one is a water sensor but dont know what the second is, ive traced the wires back to a relay bolted to the chassis above the battery and the other runs into the cab somewhere i presume to the ignition i dont get any voltage across this when the ignition is on

On the ones with a hand primer it is not unusual for the seals to fail on the primer pump allowing air into injector pump.
You may be able to test by disconnecting the pipe to the injector pump and when working the hand primer see if clean air free fuel is coming out.

 

[Communicator]

hi, compression test performed all cylinders read around 300 psi, i think its a fuel supply issue now looking into the fuel filter/primer it looks like it has a pump in there, there are 2 connections to the filter/primer i presume one is a water sensor but dont know what the second is, ive traced the wires back to a relay bolted to the chassis above the battery and the other runs into the cab somewhere i presume to the ignition i dont get any voltage across this when the ignition is on

Sorry I got called away, and must have pressed reply in error.

I am thinking that on previous discussions about engines pre 2000, some at least did not have a lift pump, but relied on the transfer pump contained in the injection pump. In such systems the fuel supply line is at negative pressure, and air will be drawn into any small leak e.g. in primer daphagm. Also fuel can drain back into tank, if vacuum is not held.

I doubt that there is a pump in the filter primer assembly. Second device could be a diesel heater.

 

[bugsymike]

Sorry I got called away, and must have pressed reply in error.

I am thinking that on previous discussions about engines pre 2000, some at least did not have a lift pump, but relied on the transfer pump contained in the injection pump. In such systems the fuel supply line is at negative pressure, and air will be drawn into any small leak e.g. in primer daphagm. Also fuel can drain back into tank, if vacuum is not held.

I doubt that there is a pump in the filter primer assembly. Second device could be a diesel heater.

This is an earlier Fiat design engine, but I had an 2003 Doblo with a Lucas Epic fuel pump that relied on suction from the tank and did draw in air from a dodgy fuel pipe connector seal.
It was a long time ago so not sure if a primer or not.