TD42 running rough

[sheepfarmer]

hi Bob
its a 2001 gu 4.2 nonturbo diesel 6cylinder, the problem is that when i start and drive it it coughs and sputters and looses power, while coughing and sputtering it blows out blue smoke it does this until it clears itself then runs well it has been serviced and newfilters new fuel and checked all the fuel lines it almost seems to be starving for fuel it has only done 150000 klms any ideas ?

[Bob]

hi Bob
its a 2001 gu 4.2 nonturbo diesel 6cylinder, the problem is that when i start and drive it it coughs and sputters and looses power, while coughing and sputtering it blows out blue smoke it does this until it clears itself then runs well it has been serviced and newfilters new fuel and checked all the fuel lines it almost seems to be starving for fuel it has only done 150000 klms any ideas ?

YNOT (Tony) will hopefully see your reply and help. He is the Guru on all things Mechanical

[YNOT]

I moved your question so it has it's own thread.
How long ago was the fuel filter replaced? That sounds like air getting into the fuel system.

Tony

[sheepfarmer]

hi tony
i replaced the fuel filter about a month ago but this problem started befor that i also thought that it was a filter problem but it has gotten worse im slowly going batty over this ive checked the fuel lines as much as poss i even use the hand pump on the filter before i start and that seems to help sometimes it will start great and then about a minute later it will cough and splutter and then almost die when it does this it will pump out heaps of blue smoke until it clears itself then it seems to run ok until the next day when i try to start it
Rob

[YNOT]

The fact that it starts OK when you prime the lift pump (is the lift pump easy to pump when you first start pumping?) would seem to confirm that air is getting into the fuel system somewhere. The way it starts to run rough about a minute later sounds like the leak is between the filter and the tank.
If you have checked the fuel line as much as possible then the next 2 most likely causes are a leaking lift pump or a cracked fuel pick up pipe in the tank. Have you noticed if the fault is worse when the fuel level in the tank is low?
There is a removable panel under the carpet in the cargo area (wagon), underneath that panel is access to the fuel pick up in the top of the tank.

Tony

[sheepfarmer]

well guys i took all your suggession on board and checked the fuel line removed the fuel line from the tank to the filter and from the filter to the pump then ran a new line from a seperate tank to the filter, still no joy. it seems to be that the engine runs at a fast idle ok as soon as you put the throttle down even a little it still coughs and splutters and pumps out blue smoke the fuel seems to me that it is a blackish colour instead of a blue colour could this be oil contamination if so from where would it come from , getting desperate now as its my only means of travel around the farm please your help is needed. Rob

[YNOT]

well guys i took all your suggession on board and checked the fuel line removed the fuel line from the tank to the filter and from the filter to the pump then ran a new line from a seperate tank to the filter, still no joy. it seems to be that the engine runs at a fast idle ok as soon as you put the throttle down even a little it still coughs and splutters and pumps out blue smoke the fuel seems to me that it is a blackish colour instead of a blue colour could this be oil contamination if so from where would it come from , getting desperate now as its my only means of travel around the farm please your help is needed. Rob

The way I'm reading this it sounds like you've kept the fuel filter/lift pump in the circuit through all your tests. Have you tried bypassing the filter?
The blackish colored diesel has me a bit concerned, is it black in the tank? If it is you may have algae growing in the tank.

I'm planning to be in Toowoomba on either Tuesday or Wednesday this week to do a few jobs, I may be able to drop in and have a look - can't promise I'll fix it as I'm not a diesel specialist but I'll do what I can.

Tony

[sheepfarmer]

hi Tony
thank you for your valuble help i will go and try the filter bypass this morning and get back to you as soon as i have done it
if you wish to come out to the farm it will be very much welcome if you want to contact me my email address is rminchington@clearmail.com .au and will give you my contact details and phone thanks again rob

[sheepfarmer]

Hi Tony
ive done what you suggested and bypast the filter it has made a great difference it now runs but at the topend 3000rpm it still misses and farts and blows out blue smoke ,i will change the oil to a good brand such as penrite 50 and add some lucas additve THANK YOU AGAIN for your help regards Rob

[YNOT]

G'day Rob,
It sounds like you have air leaking in through the lift pump.
In regards to blowing smoke at higher revs there is a very small gauze filter that gets blocked up in the fuel inlet to the injector pump. If you remove the banjo bolt holding the inlet fuel line onto the injector pump the gauze filter is just inside.
I'll send you an email a bit later.

Tony

[sheepfarmer]

thank s Tony if the gauze filter is the one i think it is, is there a spring under the banjo bolt at the front of the injector pump?

[YNOT]

thank s Tony if the gauze filter is the one i think it is, is there a spring under the banjo bolt at the front of the injector pump?

No it's at the back of the pump and no spring, you do have a rotary type pump don't you?

Tony

[sheepfarmer]

well thats a day well spent today i removed the fuel tank and drained it blew the lines replaced the filter removed the pump filter went into town bought some alge killer and then replaced it all back started the truck and gee you know what it works the fuel inthe tank was black the little filter in the pump was so blocked it took me half an hour to clean it and by the way the bloody fuel tank does not have a drain bung in the thing how stupid is that
but there s a BIG thatnk you to all for your help regards rob

[Sir Roofy]

well thats a day well spent today i removed the fuel tank and drained it blew the lines replaced the filter removed the pump filter went into town bought some alge killer and then replaced it all back started the truck and gee you know what it works the fuel inthe tank was black the little filter in the pump was so blocked it took me half an hour to clean it and by the way the bloody fuel tank does not have a drain bung in the thing how stupid is that
but there s a BIG thatnk you to all for your help regards rob

another happy forum reader
well done to tony for his help to the sheepfarmer

[YNOT]

well thats a day well spent today i removed the fuel tank and drained it blew the lines replaced the filter removed the pump filter went into town bought some alge killer and then replaced it all back started the truck and gee you know what it works the fuel inthe tank was black the little filter in the pump was so blocked it took me half an hour to clean it and by the way the bloody fuel tank does not have a drain bung in the thing how stupid is that
but there s a BIG thatnk you to all for your help regards rob

Good to hear you got it fixed Rob, and I know all about fuel tanks that don't have drain bungs!

Tony

[sheepfarmer]

any time you are in the garden city give me a call and we can meet for coffee
regards Rob

[patch697]

Rob I deleted your last post because we discourage members from posting there privet information & contact details on the forum itself as its open for public viewing (it can be seen by anyone anywhere).

If you wish to pass on this type of information, for you own protection please do it via PM (Private Message). This can be done on the forum by clicking on the user name of the member you wish to message, a box will drop down & simply clock the "SEND PRIVET MESSAGE" & your away mate.

Here is Tony's (YNOY) PM box link to pass on those details you had posted for him: http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=157

Regards
Paul

[sheepfarmer]

sorry paul guess im just used to most people being open honest and trustworthy ill keep it in mind next time
Regards Rob

[patch697]

sorry paul guess im just used to most people being open honest and trustworthy ill keep it in mind next time
Regards Rob

No harm done mate, just acting in your best interests.

Regards
Paul