LX90 1.8 TDCI strange problem?

[Big Jake]

Ok thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply and please don't think I am questioning some of your replies in a dismissive way I am just trying to get my head round all the possibilities.

Not a good day really, I removed the glow plugs to do a compression test and found my adaptor to large to seat properly so i modified it of sorts but then it had no non return valve in it so wouldn't hold pressure and couldn't even get it on cylinders 2 and 3. I did however get a reading on 1 and 4 and what I got wasn't ideal but number 1 read 145psi as I watched it reach its maximum and number 4 only reached 60psi not good even with my bodged tester and to be fair I even went all old school and put my finger over the hole and the difference was obvious.

How's about this for a thought, I did say that this all started after I changed the ancillary belt and pulley, so what if I turned the engine backwards when pulling on the belt and this pulled the tensioner in and let the chain go slack enough (i take it there is a chain on the crank pulley from reading other posts on here?) to jump a tooth or two, thus altering the valve timing hence low compression.
I have removed everything down to the timing belt now and will check the timing as soon as possible but never having stripped one of these before, how hard is it to get to the chain?

Thanks in advance once again.
Al.

[winterheating]

No worries, i know what you mean, there's no right or wrong ideas as such under these circumstances.

And I think turning crank backwards would alow timing to jump a lot easier on crank to pump rather than belt slipping.

Plus thinking about it, as its a tdci cam sensor and not a pickup sensor in pump. So yeah either chain or belt out could cause diesel knock.

[highroof]

May have to flash your ecu to start with.

Even though it runs with a bump start?

Yes mate, seen it before, admittedly not on a Connect, but worked for Ford and then Lexus long enough not to be too surprised by anything these days. Just to add though, the above 2 posts would seem to be more on the right track.

[dieselboy1978]

The diesel knock could well be problems with the injectors. Especially the control valves in the injectors or the nozzle leaking diesel onto the piston.
I would look as fuel system first. Hard starting could also be injectors as back leakage issues could be causing starting problems.
If you need any advice free free to pm.
BUT remember these checks and fuel systems are not jobs for DIY unless you know how they operate or how they can kill if proper procedures are not taken into account

[Big Jake]

Hi again.

Pretty sure it's not the injectors because as I stated originally the diesel knock disappeared when the starting issues appeared and now with the lack of compression on number 4 this is where I will have to start first. I asked my original question in the hope that this was a common problem or someone had come across it before and could save me a lot of time and head scratching.

I am time served to the job but not normally on vehicles this small anymore and as this is my work van I have to fit it in when I can. I have started to pull it apart to check the valve timing first and will update you all with my findings at a later date but I have an awful feeling that I inadvertently turned the engine backwards thus causing the chain to jump a tooth or two, and if they are anything like the bigger Transit it may have damaged the tensioner pawl causing the chain to run slack?

Does anyone know if the valves hit the pistons on the 1.8 TDCI.

Many thanks again.

Al.

[liteace]

Does anyone know if the valves hit the pistons on the 1.8 TDCI.

Many thanks again.

Al.

Yes they do

[Big Jake]

Flipping eck that was quick!

Thanks no need to check the valve clearances then.

[winterheating]

Did you remove injector plugs when checking compression??

[winterheating]

Does it start with a jump start or just a bump?

[Big Jake]

Did you remove injector plugs when checking compression??

No, compression test is done through the heater plugs on these.

It would only start with a bump start, I even tried it with two truck battery's on it, you can hear the lack of compression when it's turning over.

Cheers,
Al.

[winterheating]

So you didn't remove the injector plugs, to do the test correctly.

Sounds like the starter Is goosed and your dodgy injector is the one with lower compression reading.

As the starter isn't turning engine enough the compression is not getting high enough. Hence why it still won't start with plenty of power but does when bumping, and not forgetting the loud injector rattle you've always had.........,

[Big Jake]

So you didn't remove the injector plugs, to do the test correctly.

Sounds like the starter Is goosed and your dodgy injector is the one with lower compression reading.

As the starter isn't turning engine enough the compression is not getting high enough. Hence why it still won't start with plenty of power but does when bumping, and not forgetting the loud injector rattle you've always had.........,

Hi,
Ford state the compression test is done through the heater plug hole and I even borrowed their adaptor to do it. Also I have been lent some software for it that also states through the heater plug holes. If it was only the one cylinder with low compression i would expect it to start on the key but run on 3 cylinders on idle and pick up when revved. The injector rattle wasn't restricted to one cylinder and I'm now convinced that is because of a poor remap.

Already changed the starter motor as a matter of course as it looked like the original. Made absolutely no difference, not even with a 1000 CCA battery connected. One other point is that as long as the valves are seating properly and the engine is healthy enough eg rings and bores are good then as long as it turns at a reasonable speed and not too slow then spinning it even quicker will make absolutely no difference.

Hopefully I'll get a couple of hours on it tomorrow and do a cylinder leak test to tell me exactly where the compression has gone. Been busy putting pistons and liners in an old V8 Scania today.

Thanks for your input anyway though.
Al.

[winterheating]

So did you remove the injector plugs when doing the compression test???



What about checking all voltages, standing cranking and voltage at starter motor too, and or clean all connection.

[winterheating]

Ah yeah sorry you connected battery straight to starter, so sort of rules that out.

[Pltcmn]

I had the exact same problem with my tdci ,,,,fuel pump and injectors will sort ,,,,