Stalled at junction (s)

[Lewy]

I wonder if anyone might offer some help on this one. I've had a bit of search and found some possible answers but wanted to put it out there.

Symptons - few more cranks than usual to start up from freezing cold - put down to conditions over the last couple of mornings and have noticed from cold idle speed seemed to be quite low and I think a slight loss of power - but once warmed up within a couple of miles - no problem.

But starting my drive home from work today which is around 10 miles, the van died 3 times at junctions and roundabouts within a couple of miles of setting off. Slowing up from 30mph to junction and engine just faded and cut out completely - stalled - felt more like a fade than a stop dead. Hazards on and first time cranking engine does not fire, second or third attempt it slowly catches, then drive off as normal - no loss of power. This all happened within a couple of miles of setting off, by this stage my TM2 was reading around 50 degress and Mason temperature guage was registering so the engine was warm by this stage.

But one mile later, pulled over a few times to see if it would die and stall again but idle speed was fine and it did not stall or shudder at all.
By the time I got home - no problem and all running as usual.
Just been out now and engine fired up within a couple of cranks.

It has been cold here - but not as cold as everywhere else - so I was wondering what people might suggest. I have never replaced the glowplugs -and I've had the van for about 5 years I reckon, fuel filter was done when I got it I think I remember and it has been my daily driver for all this time without so much as a twitch with regard to smooth running - its always been an excellent starter - even in the coldest of weather. Where would you start looking?

[M 80NGO]

Petrol or diesel buddy ?

[chakota]

Petrol or diesel buddy ?

Think the mention of glow plugs give you a clue

[dandywarhol]

Water/ice in the fuel filter?

[Lewy]

Water/ice in the fuel filter?

That's an idea - I imagine the problem has arisen because of the cold weather - I wonder would that not come up as a sediment warning?

I can certainly check the fuel filter and I read about a squirt of injector cleaner / additive too put directly into the new filter. I've got a filter ready to put on - so maybe that should be my first port of call.

[M 80NGO]

Petrol or diesel buddy ?

Think the mention of glow plugs give you a clue

Its been a long day fella

[mikexgough]

The "Slowing up from 30mph to junction and engine just faded and cut out completely - stalled - felt more like a fade than a stop dead." was like mine...... mine did it from 10 mph though.......... and mine was probably at a more advanced stage than yours......it did start at that time but mine was like running on 3 cylinders..... = .......Diesel Pump failure.....

Try the simple things 1st..... but I fear the worst...

[wonkanoby]

i would start with basic service and new glow plugs

also the idle should be higher when cold

you should see a plunger infront of throttle cable advance it

[Northern Bongolow]

as wonkanoby suggests,check the 2 little solenoid valves mounted high up above the glow plugs,these fast idle solenoids control the startup,and warm up temperature pump settings.
look on here for a thread called fast idle solenoids.the last couple of posts will help.
the little vacuum pipes break,or the right hand one burns out.be carefull not to be rough with the pipes,they get baked and brittle.

[Lewy]

Rain has stopped 'play' but I have managed to change the fuel filter - the old one was filthy inside I'm ashamed to say and had a bit of water in the plastic base. Popped some Redex in there too with the new filter.

I've had a bit of a run and it seems to be fine, although it is quite warm now.

Thnaks to all the people who have made suggestions and given advice - After a bit a run I'll be able to see if the filter has made any difference and if I need to do Banjo filter too.

[Lewy]

Just an update for people searching for similar symptons.

After changing very dirty fuel filter, running some diesel/injector cleaner through the system and topping up with a tank of very expensive BP Ulimate fuel at 1.29 pl...all seems well.

Sunday ran to the beach and back - first time starts and tickover with no stalling and this morning early doors frosty start up on first crank, there and back from work - again with absolutely no stalling or stuttering.

I wonder if Dandy was right - water/ice in filter - there was a bit of water along with poor fuel flow. I also wonder if I picked up a tank of crap diesel too?

Anyway, I hope I'm spared an expensive bill, this week with more cold starts it should test it out. Fingers crossed

[dandywarhol]

Nah, take everything Dandy says with a pinch of.................................

[Barrington]

Dandy you da man

Nah, take everything Dandy says with a pinch of.................................