Expert hard to start when hot

[SuzeyBlue]

Hi,

I have an Expert van 2 litre HDi which is hard to start when the engine is hot. The engine starts normally when cold but after running for an hour it requires a lot of cranking to start. The longer it runs the more difficult it is to start (up to an hour). When it does start the exhaust looks ok i.e no white, black, or blue smoke. The low pressure fuel pump (in the tank) can be heard to run for a brief period and stop when the ignition key is turned, and the glo plug dash light goes out.

The glo plugs have been replaced, the temp sensor and fuel filter have been replaced. Engine diagnostics do not show any faults. Would be very grateful if anyone could tell me what the cause of the problem is, and how to fix it.
Thanks.

[Speed-Demon]

i would say try another temp sensor, maybe faulty temp sensor

[davidireland]

Get a leak off test done on the injectors. sounds like its leaking fuel pressure.
Get a diagnostic check done also.

[SuzeyBlue]

Thanks for your help on this but I still have the same problem.

The local garage think that it may be the starter motor drawing too much current or creating interference which screws up the EMS. Why this should happen when the engine is hot and not cold I don't understand, so I did a test. I tried starting on the starter motor when the engine was hot and the engine would not even fire. I then tried 'bump' starting down a hill and the engine immediately started fine!

The strange thing is that the engine starts ok for the first few minutes after being stopped, but not if left longer than this. The turnover rate of the starter appears normal and there are no clouds of white smoke from the exhaust when the engine does start.

After the above, diagnostics were repeated by the local garage and a fault came up for the pressure control switch. This was replaced with a new switch but made no difference to the problem. At this stage I have spent out hundreds replacing this and replacing that without any improvement, so I am loathe to buy a new starter motor which may not be the cause of the problem.

I would really appreciate any help on this, as I am getting nowhere.

Many thanks.

[nige65]

Fuel pump expands when hot and seals lose pressure so hard to start you can test this next time when hot and wont start pour cold water over pumpto cool and try to start then .

Seals wear but when cold ok .

Would be high pressure pump .

[SuzeyBlue]

Thanks that makes sense. I'll try it out.

[davidireland]

Originally Posted by davidireland

Get a leak off test done on the injectors. sounds like its leaking fuel pressure.
Get a diagnostic check done also.

Leak off test?
The garage working on it for you sound like they're talking crap!

[SuzeyBlue]

Thanks again Nige65 for the advice. I tried cooling the fuel pump with cold water when the engine was hot and it started as normal. So it looks conclusive that I need a new HP fuel pump which I see are expensive.

Would anyone know how reliable reconditioned units are such as this on Ebay <http://www.ebay.ie/itm/PEUGEOT-EXPERT-2-0-HDI-FUEL-PUMP-RECON-BOSCH-0445010046-/370460141447?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM& hash=item5641252787> or where the most economic source is for a pump.

Thanks also davidireland for the advice regarding the leak-off test which I will do when I get the time and the bits together.

Very grateful for your help.

[SuzeyBlue]

Many thanks for the good advice. I tried cooling the HP fuel pump with water after the engine refused to start when hot, and the engine started as normal. It looks conclusive then that a replacement high pressure fuel pump is needed. New pumps appear to be very expensive but there is a supplier of reconditioned pumps for £235 on Ebay at <http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEUGEOT-EXPERT-2-0-HDI-FUEL-PUMP-RECON-BOSCH-0445010046-/370460141447?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM& hash=item5641252787>

Would anyone know how reliable a reconditioned pump like this would be. I understand that it probably depends on who reconditioned it but I would be grateful for any advice.

I did not do the leak-off test yet, and am wondering whether it is worth doing it if the pump is the cause of the problem.

Thanks again for your help nige65 and davidireland.

[SuzeyBlue]

Many thanks for the good advice. I tried cooling the HP fuel pump with water after the engine refused to start when hot, and the engine started as normal. It looks conclusive then that a replacement high pressure fuel pump is needed. New pumps appear to be very expensive but there is a supplier of reconditioned pumps for £235 on Ebay at < PEUGEOT EXPERT 2.0 HDI FUEL PUMP RECON BOSCH 0445010046 | eBay hash=item5641252787>

Would anyone know how reliable a reconditioned pump like this would be. I understand that it probably depends on who reconditioned it but I would be grateful for any advice.

I did not do the leak-off test yet, and am wondering whether it is worth doing it if the pump is the cause of the problem.

Thanks again for your help nige65 and davidireland.

Apologies if this is duplicated in the thread, but I couldn't get 'post a reply' to work.