CDTi not starting: Cam position Sensor?

[Rob Bell]

Hi Guys,

I love my ZTT I really do - but sometimes it can be a real pain in the...

So yes, this is another "Diesel not starting thread" - of which there have been a few over the years.

The problem on my car is that it failed to start on Saturday, and because I don't routinely keep a can of easy-start in the car, we had to call the AA to get us going again (easy-start did the job).

Since having the injectors rebuilt last year (excessive leak back), the car's performance has been significantly improved, but start up has often required turning the engine over for longer than it ought to - and it may take a few seconds to get going. On Saturday, it decided not to start at all.

I've replaced both the in-tank and underbonnet fuel pumps over the last couple of years (2003 model). And as mentioned, the injectors have been rebuilt due to the unsurprising discovery of excessive leak back.

So the possibilities are:
1. are the injectors still leaking?
2. or is this a new manifestation of yet another common diesel problem, the cam position sensor?

Once running, the engine runs a treat (which wasn't the case before the injectors were sent away). But the key question is how can I tell at home whether this is a cam position sensor problem without handing over the best part of 150 quid to Rimmer Bros for a new one?

Thanks for your help chaps!

[FrenchMike]

Originally Posted by Rob Bell

Hi Guys,

I love my ZTT I really do - but sometimes it can be a real pain in the...

So yes, this is another "Diesel not starting thread" - of which there have been a few over the years.

The problem on my car is that it failed to start on Saturday, and because I don't routinely keep a can of easy-start in the car, we had to call the AA to get us going again (easy-start did the job).

Since having the injectors rebuilt last year (excessive leak back), the car's performance has been significantly improved, but start up has often required turning the engine over for longer than it ought to - and it may take a few seconds to get going. On Saturday, it decided not to start at all.

I've replaced both the in-tank and underbonnet fuel pumps over the last couple of years (2003 model). And as mentioned, the injectors have been rebuilt due to the unsurprising discovery of excessive leak back.

So the possibilities are:
1. are the injectors still leaking?
2. or is this a new manifestation of yet another common diesel problem, the cam position sensor?

Once running, the engine runs a treat (which wasn't the case before the injectors were sent away). But the key question is how can I tell at home whether this is a cam position sensor problem without handing over the best part of 150 quid to Rimmer Bros for a new one?

Thanks for your help chaps!

Hi Bob,

Have an eye here,that could helps:

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=69308

Another tip to test the camsensor:
During cranking you must get around 9 volts on the yellow wire (middle one)

Good luck

Mike

[Rob Bell]

Originally Posted by FrenchMike

Hi Bob,

Have an eye here,that could helps:

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=69308

Another tip to test the camsensor:
During cranking you must get around 9 volts on the yellow wire (middle one)

Good luck

Mike

Mike, you're a star! I was looking for these links using my wife's Blackberry while waiting for the AA to arrive, but couldn't find them!

Might try the cam sensor spacer trick before buying a new sensor - any recommendations on where to buy? Local branch of Halfrauds presumably? Rimmer Bros don't currently have them in stock

[FrenchMike]

Originally Posted by Rob Bell

Mike, you're a star! I was looking for these links using my wife's Blackberry while waiting for the AA to arrive, but couldn't find them!

Might try the cam sensor spacer trick before buying a new sensor - any recommendations on where to buy? Local branch of Halfrauds presumably? Rimmer Bros don't currently have them in stock

The other old tip is to put the sensor in a fridge for 15 minutes and try.

Mike

[Mike Noc]

If the engine starts with Easystart then it isn't a cam sensor fault. Could be a coincidence as by the time the AA man got there the sensor may have cooled down but if it starts again on Easystart then it sounds more like low fuel pressure on the HP side.

Mike

[Rob Bell]

Thanks - I'll check the pressure profile as FrenchMike demonstrates on the link, but using the retrospectoscope, the car often is a little harder to start from warm, but then it never really starts that brilliantly from cold either.

It will be properly annoying if it proves to be the injectors being at fault! >