Trying to diagnose fault / trust garage

[ubuntootoo]

Hi Everyone.

I have a 2002 2.0 TDDI 75hp transit 100,000 miles. We bought it about 8 months ago and it has been brilliant until last Friday. On the journey home from our nearest town (Elgin) it started to sound a bit more clattery than normal. I could hear something wasn't right before my mrs or son did. It was also a bit down on power. Over the rest of the journey (23miles) it got a bit rougher and more gutless. I was debating stopping but decided to just get home as it was dark and raining. By the time we got home there was a real diesel knock sound which has never been there before.

The following morning I had a good look in daylight but couldn't see anything obvious. I started it again and sounded like a tank, really loud diesel knock at tickover but at about 2000 rpm (complete guess), with just a whiff of throttle) it quietens down. My first thought was injector but there is no smoke at all. A few years ago I had an 03 TDCI mondeo and when an injector went on that it smoked like a steam train.

We moved to the area a year ago so I don't really have any experience of local garages. I phoned a few places and plumped for a small back street garage that had a good review on Google. They've had it a week. Initially he said it would either be timing has slipped or egr valve as there would be smoke if injector problem. Yesterday he checked the timing which he said was spot on. He now thinks it's a faulty injector but can't test them so he said it needs all four as if you only change one it will run terribly. He quoted £120 for each injector plus fitting. On my mondeo I only changed one and it ran ok.

He also says the injectors are mechanical and you just screw them in with no programming etc required.

Is he right about changing all four? Can they be tested? If they are a simple fit could I just buy one myself and through trial and error, swap them about until it runs better? Can I simply remove the fuel pipes on the top of the engine without them leaking when I refit them. Would they need replacing?

Can anyone recommend a good diesel specialist in Elgin area (north east scotland).

I told the garage I would think about it over the weekend and call them monday. I cannot afford a big bill.

Thanks for any advice
Rich

[Punto443]

You can change them singly no probs and they are purely mechanical, no coding required, from your symptoms It sounds like it could be the fuel timing solenoid on the pump.

[ned]

Sounds like the fuel timing solenoid on the pump. N


Bloody ell ya beat me to it

[ubuntootoo]

Thanks guys for your replies. Its encouraging that you both think the same thing. Is the solenoid replaceable without changing the pump (I guess yes but you never know).

I have to drive it home from the garage. Could driving it as it is do any damage?

Thanks again.

[karl]

being an old van you need ids diagnostics.

and I don't think it has anything to do with the injectors

as Punto has said its down to the fuel timing solenoid

you do have the vp30 pump

so the best advice will get a code read done

[Punto443]

The solenoid is replaceable, although I think it’s pretty awkward if I remember right?

Think you need a special socket or something?

[Jim Archer]

There are a couple of 'how to's '.

Jim

[karl]

The solenoid is replaceable, although I think it’s pretty awkward if I remember right?

Think you need a special socket or something?

isn't that the one that leaks ?

fuel timing is the bottom one £130 from ford

their is one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRANSIT-FUEL- ... Sw4shX9Mzd

[mjsroofing]

You can blank the egr off too, just to rule that out,

[invernessguy]

Hello,
I have a house in Elgin, and have lived there for a while, but now in the process of moving again!
I can recommend gibbys garage (on the back road between matalan and railway crossing), i have used them for my transit, and range rover, however, they arent very techical, more just spanner and welding guys.
As far as diagnostics in Elgin, I cant recommend anyone, but if you go and ask the guys in gibbys, im sure they would point you in the direction of someone reputable, without costing the earth.
Sorry I cant be more help,
Donnie

[ubuntootoo]

Thanks again to everyone who has replied. I have now got the van back home from the garage. I won't go there again. Driving home the knocking wasn't too bad. Definitely not how it used to be but not as loud as before. It seems to come and go. Thanks for the Gibbys recommendation. I will bear them in mind for any future jobs. I phoned local ford garage and they said eighty quid to read codes and that might not pinpoint the cause anyway. They said it would not indicate a faulty solenoid just from a code.

Does anyone have a link to a guide on changing the solenoid? I can't find any info anywhere.

[jumbo 57]

Does anyone have a link to a guide on changing the solenoid? I can't find any info anywhere.

I think this is for RWD, but it may help.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=162925

[chris72a]

The solenoid is replaceable, although I think it’s pretty awkward if I remember right?

Think you need a special socket or something?

ahhh it;s a PITA had to take my pump out to change the only special tool required is the timing pins 3 6mm rods but you can prob improvise something this is to hold the timing sprocket in place while you remove pump

Cheers
Chris.

[EeEk]

Long time since I saw a fuel solenoid but I remember some that didn't come out!!! Be prepared it might not be as easy as you think.

[chris72a]

Long time since I saw a fuel solenoid but I remember some that didn't come out!!! Be prepared it might not be as easy as you think.

Agreed EeEk that;s why I ended up having to take the pump out and man-handling with a hammer Gently of course and had to grind a couple of the bolts out