MK7 fuelling lost in filter

[Greenbogie]

Hi,

On my MK7 2.4L LWB, it recently had to be recovered by due to failed starter. Garage fitted new motor, and now cranking well. However, since then it seems to lose fuel in the supply. Garage said this was because of the angle the van was at when pulled on/off the recovery truck, and the air in the system needs removing.

I have managed to get it running by adding fuel into the filter (it was not full to the top). Van then starts and idles well, and runs perfectly. Last night I nervously took it for a drive after refilling the filter (had to do it twice), but it was perfect. Tried a start this morning, and after 2 long cranks, it finally started, but then would stall. I am yet to check if there is fuel in the filter, but I anticipate it is not full again. Worth noting my drive is sloped, and the front of the van is pointing up, but its never been a problem in the past after doing a filter change, and there is 1/2 tank of fuel

I did suspect the SCV, but surely if that was failing it would be obvious when the van is being driven...

I can't see any visible leaks from the lines, but I will look again.

Anybody got any ideas where else to investigate?

Thanks in advance

[DanMK7uk]

You have air ingress.

Being a 2.4 it will be euro 4…


These do not have a pump in tank.. they are self bleeding, but do not prime on ignition on.
If your filter is emptying that will be air causing the fuel to “syphon” back to the tank.

You will not see a leak, because it is under a Vacuum, meaning air will leak in, but fuel won’t leak out. Can make for fun finding..


What brand of fuel filter is fitted ? Cheap ones can fail to seal and cause ingress.

Stick to Ford / mann or bosch.

Check the fuel filter housing for cracks and low pressure pipework attached to it.

Injector leak off o rings are a common place aswell. Little green o rings.

[DanMK7uk]

To add. SCV can cause hard starting and stalling. So dont rule that out, but if the filter is emptying when sat overnight you certainly got an issue with air.

[Greenbogie]

Cheers, its Ford filter, less that 6 months old. Would you know of anything in the vacinity of the starter motor that could have been disturbed when the garage changed it? I assume they did it from underneath

[DanMK7uk]

Cant say i know for sure on the rwd mate as mines fwd… i doubt it to be honest.. you said it got recovered b cos of the starter, was that diagnosed straight away or do you think they looked at the fuel side when diagnosing … ? Unlikely if it weren't cranking but you never know…

[DanMK7uk]

Check the seal on filter / housing pipework for now. If nothing obvious id start with o rings.. keep us posted on your findings

[Greenbogie]

Turns out the back leak pipe was leaking. Easy fix in the end, just expensive. Starts and runs a treat now

[DanMK7uk]

Happydayz