Leon won't start!!

[mr_s81]

and I'm pretty sure it's because of my own stupidity!!

My car is a mark 1 Leon TDI (90). I noticed recently that on frostier mornings the car was taking a few more turns than normal to start (than in similar weather last year). Given that it's just done 80k miles I attributed this to probably needing new glow plugs.

I bought the glow plugs at the weekend and set out tonight to change them. Given that I quite like trying to get to know the workings of an engine, during this time (for reasons which I am currently at a loss to explain), I took a look at one of the pipes which leads into the injector and undone the nut which goes on to it completely and looked around it. I proceeded to redo the nut again to a reasonably tightness and set about to replace the four glow plugs.

After some cuts and bruises later (the plugs were screwed in quite tight) I got the plugs replaced and put the caps back on again. Before I proceeded to put on the engine cover, I thought I'd best check that everything was ok.

The car turns over very quickly (the battery is good) and did make some spluttering attempts - however it wouldn't start. Given that it was 9 degrees or so outside at the time, I'm guessing that the glow plugs wouldn't have been used anyway and couldn't understand why the thing wouldn't go. I then got that awful sinking feeling, that my messing about with that one injector has got air into the system!

My query is as follows;

1. Would undoing the nut (on injector three) be enough to allow air to get into the system.
2. I haven't a clue on how to bleed the system. I've done a number of searches here and I know brad1 had an injector problem recently, but could someone give me a very basic explanation (pics would be even better!) on how to bleed air from the fuel system if you feel this could be my problem?

I'm assuming that it is air which is the problem, but if any of you knowledgable peeps could suggest anything else that would be much appreciated.

I really like doing all the servicing on the car myself, but it's little things like this here which makes me wish I never bothered!

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[brad1]

hello mate
dont ask me about injectors, coor blimey, ive had nightmare with mine lol
well put it this way, ive had my injectors in, out, in, out etc and you will get air into the system, so your problem may be air, but i had to crank for at least a good few 20 secs, and then i finally got her going. Best bet would be to crank her, and hold the key right round till she finally gets going
Or did you remember to put the glowplug harness back on ?

 

[mr_s81]

Thanks for the reply mate. I did remember to put the harness back on and afaik everything is back the way it should have been! Did you have to bleed the air out of the system on your car or did you get it going eventually by cranking it? I read your thread, and to be honest the whole thing sounded like a bit of a mare!!

Cheers again.

 

[mr_s81]

Does the symptoms I mention sound like air in the system?

Any other ideas folks? I need this car sorted today to get to work tomorrow!!

Cheers again

Ian

 

[glynnd]

How long have you cranked it for?
Glynn

 

[mr_s81]

Not very long (maybe 5 secs at the most). Is it possible to get the air from the system by cranking it for a long period?

 

[glynnd]

There is an electrical connection on injector 3 for the signal to the ecu. Is this intact?
If there was any air in the system and from your description I would think it unlikely that its due to air in it. Loosen that connection that you released and get somebody to crank the engine over. Tighten the connection when fuel comes out. See if that helps. if the signal wire is not connected it may not start.
Glynn

 

[mr_s81]

Thanks for your reply again Glynn.

I have found what it is. The bolt which attaches the fuel line to injector three is cracked as it's allowing diesel to come out past it. I cranked the car over for a good few seconds as you said and it started, but when I checked the engine bay there was diesel coming out from around the bolt. On closer inspection it seems when I overtightened (and cracked it - duh!) when I was moving the fuel line out of the way for accessibility. I've arranged to pick up one from a local breakers.

Will starting the car with this leak mean it definitely has to be bled this time, or will it dispell the air itself if I crank it over again.

Really appreciate your replies.

Ian

 

[brad1]

Thanks for your reply again Glynn.

I have found what it is. The bolt which attaches the fuel line to injector three is cracked as it's allowing diesel to come out past it. I cranked the car over for a good few seconds as you said and it started, but when I checked the engine bay there was diesel coming out from around the bolt. On closer inspection it seems when I overtightened (and cracked it - duh!) when I was moving the fuel line out of the way for accessibility. I've arranged to pick up one from a local breakers.

Will starting the car with this leak mean it definitely has to be bled this time, or will it dispell the air itself if I crank it over again.

Really appreciate your replies.

Ian

which part have you exactly broke mate, the actually metal fuel pipe from the pump to the injector? air isnt a problem really for the non pd, as i had loads of air, and i was cranking for a good 30 seconds for a couple of attempts till she was going and eventually most of the air will be forced out, replace the broken part and what ever you do, becareful with the fuel lines, and once all replaced, keep cranking, until she gets going mate

 

[glynnd]

It will be fine but may need a bit of cranking before it catches.
Glynn

 

[mr_s81]

You guys were both right. After some cranking it fired! There is still a slight leak around the bolt which attaches the fuel line to injector three. The reason I broke the first one because I overtightened it (even though it didn't feel tight at all). There is still leakage there, but I'm unsure whether it's coming from around the bolt /or the fuel line (as the line appears to be wet either site on the line each side of the bolt connector). This probably doesn't make sense, when you can't visualise it, but I'm hoping the leaking is very minimal. I'll monitor it over the next while.

Thanks to you both for your help. To be honest I wouldn't have cranked it as long as I had without your advice. I've been meaning to buy a battery charger, but still have yet to get round to it so was afraid of draining the battery.I think I'll have to put a charger on my Christmas wish list!

 

[glynnd]

Sorted!
Glynn

 

[Husbandofstinky]

Been following this one and definately sounded like air in the system (assuming nothing else fundamentally wrong). Didn't want to say anything as it had already been said. Your symptoms would have occurred had you changed the fuel filter as its almost inevitable that you'll introduce air into the system. The easiest way to purge the system is by cranking the air through.

Glad its all sorted and hope you get that bolt replaced.

 

[Robb1990]

Slightly related to air in the system, my aux belt tensioner has gone, and i had to disconnect the boost pipe/fuel pipes from the fuel filter to get access to replace it, the fuel obviously drained out these pipes as i didnt hold them up, i though it'll end up cutting out from the big pocket of air going into the fuel pump, but it didnt Any reason for that? And am i right in presuming the clear line is a return?