306 TD uneven idle/cut out on restart

mgoodlad · Post by **mgoodlad** » 20 Aug 2003, 14:26

Starting to notice a problem on my P-reg 306 turbo diesel (60,000 miles) - happens when the car has been driven and well warmed up, then switch it off for maybe half and hour and then restart it again. The car starts easily, then maybe revs up itself a little and then sounds a bit rough then cuts out. Starting it again usually is fine and the car will behave perfectly from then on. Starting from cold is perfect as well so I am a but puzzled.
I am guessing it is a slight fuel shortage? Checked all round the injection pump etc for leaks but none and I cannot smell diesel. But don't understand why it only happens when the car is warm - would have thought it would be worse when it has been standing for longer. Does diesel evaporate like petrol can?
Slightly modified with a K&N filter and straight through exhaust and the fuelling was increased (by specialist diesel injection centre) all done over a year ago. Car otherwise serviced on time using genuine parts by myself - new diesel filter about 5,000 miles ago.
Any ideas much appreciated.
Thanks
Michael

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 21 Aug 2003, 02:47

Seems to me like its pulling a spot of air in from somewhere, when these engines rev by themselves its usualy down to air getting in, but only when the injection pump is Lucas/Rotodiesel, Bosch equiped engines wont do this.
Diesel is very much less volatile than petrol so does not readily evaporate, even when spilled on a hot engine block it can hang around for days on end.
Dave

mgoodlad · Post by **mgoodlad** » 21 Aug 2003, 14:21

Thanks Dave - it is the Lucas pump. Is there any way of tracing this? Would the air be drawn in around the pump area? - should I try tightening all the clips/hoses etc. I suppose the fact that the diesel specialists fiddled around with the pump a year ago is the most likely cause - not put something back completely tight?
Michael

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 21 Aug 2003, 23:34

I would get myself some new copper washers and fit them to the banjo joints on the filter housing and also the inlet and return on the pump. Air will seep in where diesel won't leak out.

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 22 Aug 2003, 01:35

If you haven't got transparent pipe between the pump and filter I would get some, you can then observe any air making its way to the pump.
It can get in anywhere there's a bad joint or a corroded pipe and can be as far back as the tank, but John's suggestion's are a good place to start.
Dave