2000 hdi problem

[blower]

hi there, im new to the site. ive got a 306 hdi meridian 2000. shes run sweet for the last 5 years till friday night when it just cut out. i pulled out of a junction and it died and wouldnt start again. initial thought was the cam belt. so i got a tow home. today was the first chance to have a look and the cam belt is ok. i tried to start it again and it fired and cut straght out again as if theres no diesel getting through. does anyone have any ideas what it could be thats gone wrong so ive got a start point to work from. many thanks

[bettyswollocks]

Sounds fuel related , maybe the pump?

[blower]

any idea how to check?

[davidireland]

Yes the fuel pumps give trouble. Lift up back seat to gain entry to the top of the tank unit.
Give the top of the tank unit a few wallops. They usually start again temporarily. Make sure you're cranking when you do it.

[blower]

thanks for the advice. i'll not have chance till the weekend to have another look. i'll let you know how i get on.

[markouse]

Sounds like a good starting point.
My father in-law had a similar problem and when the aa man came out thats excatly what he did. Give the fuel pump a bit of a calibrated whack.
I think it depends what position the pump stops in if it gets stuck so tapping it whilst cranking may get it moving again. If it does get it going it will for sure need replacing though.

[jmkent]

If its the lift pump, easy one to replace - I did mine a couple of years back, cost about £80 from GSF and took about an hour to do. Word of advice, take time to get the thread right when screwing the locking ring down, as its such a coarse thread its easy to cross-thread it. I had this pump go on both my 306s, so tend to agree its common.
Easy way to check - do you hear the whine when turning ignition to stage 2 before trying to start? If not, probably gone, but can be checked with a multimeter on the plug when turning on the ignition.

[markouse]

Great tip jmkent.
I hear that "whine" on my 306 when ignition on stage 2 but not running. i wondered what it was and never thought of fuel pump.

[blower]

thats some sound advice. just narrowing it down is the important thing. i'll take a listen at the weekend as ive parked at my dads out the way. i assume it will be louder if the back seats are up?

[markouse]

You can hear the "whine" on mine quite clearly with the seats down. Not as much if stood on passenger side but if you turn key to position 2 'm' and just sit in drivers seat or stand outside the drivers door you can hear it. Quite a high pitched tone.