LX90 1.8 TDCI strange problem?

[Big Jake]

Hi all.
Certainly didn't expect to be here quite so soon but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ok for those who would like to help please stick with me cause I might go on a bit!

I've had the van for about 6 months it was bought with full history, the guy I bought it off told me it has been remapped up to 115, it has run fine all be it with a fairly loud diesel knock and the throttle was a bit like an on / off switch. Anyway a couple of days ago I changed the auxiliary belt and idler pulley and also an intercooler pipe bracket simples eh?

Well straight after on start up it took a couple of attempts and was a bit hesitant in revving but cleared with a couple of blips of the throttle, over the day on every attempt to start it it got harder and harder to start, turning over fine but just not catching. It was then left for a couple of hours until home time, on leaving the garage it just turned over and over for ages until it eventually fired up but on one, then two and three until it came in on all four cylinders but with an even louder diesel knock on idle. I switched it off, struggled to start it again but when it started it was extremely quite, NO diesel knock at all. I then drove it home on the motorway for about 30 miles at a steady 80mph and apart from it being a bit down on power it ran fine until I came off the motorway and it cut out.

No way would it start, it was spinning over and trying to fire but wouldn't start no way. A guy stopped and offered me a push and hey presto it fired up first time and drove the rest of the way home. The situation now is the only way I can get it going is with a tow and the starter side has got worse, when you crank it over it sounds like their is no compression or an engine that has bent valves if you know what I mean.

I know that changing the auxiliary belt and pulley won't cause this problem and am planning on doing a compression test in the morning and also checking the valve/pump timing but I am wondering if any of you guys more familiar with this engine has any similar experiences or ideas that I am missing maybe anti knock sensor, crank sensor? I know it has had the upgraded grey cam sensor and wiring loom and plug mod.


Many thanks in advance.
Al.

[blue estate]

Which belt did you do ? the outer one that drives the alternator or the timing one under the cover ?

[Big Jake]

Hi,
Just the one that drives the alternator, water pump, power steering, air con ect, as I say shouldn't have anything to do with the timing.

[blue estate]

Try a new starter as i had a focus Tdci that was the same , pants at cold/warm starting but good hot
So i took starter off stripped it and found one of the field magnets had broken up put a new starter on and it started straight away even cold but also check the timing belt
p/s how many miles age of van

[Big Jake]

Hi,
It's a 56 plate LX230 with 116000 genuine miles with history.
I'm kind of with you on the starter motor as its never spun it over as quick as I liked, but its not turning any slower now and whilst its turning its only trying to fire on the odd cylinder and when running its definitely a lot flatter and down on power with no knock. Definitely an engine problem but I'll put a starter on it anyway.
Thanks for the input (two heads n all that)
Al.

[MinorMatt]

I would try a starter too... but have you had it plugged in to get the codes read?

[blue estate]

I would also check the timing belt as at that milage it should have been done , has the fuel ,air filters been done recently ?
p/s you do know you can get an haynes manual for the connect

[Big Jake]

I've not had the codes read but it's not brought any lights up and a mate who is a tech at the local Ford garage reckons it won't show any faults if no lights have come on?

[Big Jake]

Just ordered a manual off eBay tonight, changed both air and fuel filters.
Your gonna be as bewildered as me soon!
Thanks to you both.

[MinorMatt]

My focus has codes without bringing up a warning light

[Big Jake]

My focus has codes without bringing up a warning light

Thanks for that, guess who I'll be speaking to in the morning?

[winterheating]

Every single thing you've said points to fuel injection problems. On off throttle, diesel knock, no start with a sound of no compression...
It could just be the remap though if its been done by a cowboy. May have to flash your ecu to start with.

[highroof]

Might also be worth checking to see if the belt's jumped one or more teeth, known that to happen during a bump start. Hope it's a cheap fix!

[Big Jake]

May have to flash your ecu to start with.

Even though it runs with a bump start?

[winterheating]

If it runs as you said after its started....

On off throttle is the giveaway...

If the belt had jumped it wouldn't cause diesel knock, the timing between pump and crank would have to change...

Pretty easy to check the timing belt first though I suppose. Always best to do as many tests as possible first.

Was just pointing out about the remapped ecu not as such a starting point to fix the problem...