Hi there I have 2008 Doblo,it starts but cuts out it does this two or three times until it gets enough fuel( by pressing the accelerator)and once its been idling for a few minutes it’s fine ,but as you start to drive it is a bit sluggish until it’s warmed up a bit .has anybody any thoughts as to where I start looking
Technical Poor starting
- Thread starter Mark712
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Technical Poor starting
First thing I would scan for fault codes. Also a sticky or bad EGR valve can cause a lot of starting and running problems.
Greasytrucker
Established member
Much smoke when it starts? If so what colour? Could just be that one or more of the glow plugs aren’t doing there job so the reason it’s cutting out at first is due to cylinders being cold. Does it start fine for the rest of the day once warm?
Hi Greasytrucker ,no smoke when starting I have replaced the glow plugs.if it’s been more than half an hour after stopping it needs a couple of goes to start .have tried putting accelerator to the floor and it stutters and starts when the revs stabilise around 1200 I lift of and she will tick over ,Iam wondering if it’s a fuel problem ? .thanks for answer
Any air getting into fuel, fuel filter seal/unions/primer?
Greasytrucker
Established member
Agree with @bugsymike, sounds like air getting into the system or something similar. Has it got the plastic filter housing with the green lid on as these are well known for leaking. Has it had a recent fuel filter change?
Greasytrucker
Established member
Right. Was it playing up before filter change or have you changed it to try and solve the starting issue? As for swapping the housing for a different sort, i’m not sure but others will confirm if possible. Think people have solved similar issues by replacing the housing for a new one as over time the connections become weak and also the lids can let in air due to being over tightened at some point in there life. Just don’t go for the really cheap unbranded replacements as they can cause just as much trouble
Greasytrucker
Established member
I’d definitely try that if it’s not too much hassle as it’d confirm the filter housing was the problem. Keep us updated
If yours has a primer you may be able to slacken the inlet to the pump and operate the primer and see if air bubbles come through.
Generally if you have an electric pump in tank then the pressure would show any leaking areas.
I didn't notice if you mentioned what engine and age your Doblo was?
So no primer, just electric pump in tank.
Just a thought, when you go to start it as usual when fault occurs, try turning ignition on, listen to the electric pump until it stops, do it a couple more times, then see if it starts without an issue, as that may chase any air out of the inlet side back to the return to the tank.
Also when you do this, see if you hear any air bubbles in system.
One of my daughters had a 1.3MJ in a 06 Fiat Grande Punto, it never cut out, but from cold it certainly wasn't a race horse.
I have a 2014 Vauxhall Combo 1.3MJ, I think that is the later engine, but still pretty poor from cold, it quietens down as it warms up, but the 1.6 is a better engine in my other Doblo and no rubbish timing chain issues, although neither have any old school diesel grunt!
Just to let you guys know I bypassed the fuel filter ,the van had sat overnight before being started ,two goes on the glow plugs no foot on throttle and she started up straight away and idled nicely.so as remarked air getting in .so I have ordered a new UFI filter housing .lets see how she behaves when that is in 
ok new fuel filter housing on,new MAF sensor,new sensor on the intake manifold,removed EGR and cleaned.it now starts fine no foot on the gas ,sit a idle fine even when frosty mornings .I thought i had it beat then the EML light came on checked it code p0101 ,i thought this is strange new MAF fitted,so cleared the code went out somewhere fine then coming home i accelerated hard to miss traffic at a junction and the EML light came on again .so i cleared it drove the next day fine normal driving but again when accelarating hard the EML light comes on and the same code p0101. anybody have any ideas
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