MYSTERY NON-STARTER

[soffpro]

CAN YOU HELP SOLVE A MYSTERY?

Seat Ibiza 2012 3 Door 1.2TDI Ecomotive (6J Mk4). ONLY 88K MILES. In great condition, been driving faultlessly and maintained for 3 years in my possession. Injector cleaner in every fuel top-up. Always top fuel up at 1/2 a tank. Recently serviced (always new long-life oil change, oil filter, air filter, cabin filter) and MOT pass. 1 month later engine just stalled AND STOPPED. Diagnostics point to fuel interruption.

At a reputable local Garage -
1 new low pressure fuel pump
1 new high pressure fuel pump
1 new fuel pump sensor
all other components checked and DIAGNOSTICS HAVE CLEARED.

Still will not start. Local MECHANICS AND DEALERSHIP MECHANICS ARE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[soffpro]

my car has been with reputable mechanics now for 3 WEEKS! i have not been consulted, unless i telephoned them. i don't know how much they are going to charge and they STILL HAVEN'T SOLVED THE PROBLEM. any help / advice would be very much appreciated. i feel powerless.

 

[R3k1355]

Can't help without detailed diagnostics info, full auto scan with VCDS or similar.

Did they inspect the old high pressure fuel pump? If it's exploded internally, the swarf will have got all around the fuel system, knackered the injectors and will knacker the new pump unless everything is flushed out.

 

[soffpro]

Can't help without detailed diagnostics info, full auto scan with VCDS or similar.

Did they inspect the old high pressure fuel pump? If it's exploded internally, the swarf will have got all around the fuel system, knackered the injectors and will knacker the new pump unless everything is flushed out.

thanks for your response i have passed it on to the team. they are very experienced professionals and did a full diagnostics. HPFP was diagnosed by both recovery mechanic and them. they also had to replace the LPFP too, so i reckon they'd be aware of the effects.

the diagnostics cleared and the engine would turn over but not run. i suggested they check the new air-filter isn't faulty, ir the sensor giving wrong reading, combined with possible back pressure for the DPF which was close to needing a burn out.

the latest is they are inspecting a wiring loom for faults. Befire stopping, the engine temperature was through the roof and the fan had not kicked in or had stopped working, so the heat may have melted something.

appreciate all help thanks

 

[R3k1355]

How through the roof was the engine temperature? You might have melted the engine.

Did you tell them it got so hot?

 

[James_R]

Have they induced a fuel source like easy start or brake cleaner to see if it fires? If it does then it's a fuel system related issue and I'd hazard a guess at it being with the injectors.

 

[soffpro]

How through the roof was the engine temperature? You might have melted the engine.

Did you tell them it got so hot?

yes i told them, well the handle itself was touchable but hot not warm.

 

[soffpro]

Have they induced a fuel source like easy start or brake cleaner to see if it fires? If it does then it's a fuel system related issue and I'd hazard a guess at it being with the injectors.

not sure what they've done tbh but they are thorough and experienced. the injectors were regularly cleaned at every fuel top up, but i think cleaning the entire fuel system would have been an early call for them since the initial prognosis was the HPFP.

 

[soffpro]

thank you for all responses. keep them coming if anything occurs

 

[James_R]

If the HPFP has failed and induced metallic swarf into the fuel system then the whole system will be contaminated. The secondary problem when the pump fails is the injectors block.

Have they carried out a leak off test, resistance check or insulation check of the injectors?

 

[soffpro]

If the HPFP has failed and induced metallic swarf into the fuel system then the whole system will be contaminated. The secondary problem when the pump fails is the injectors block.

Have they carried out a leak off test, resistance check or insulation check of the injectors?

i would have thought that was a prompt port of call. i will forward your message to them. would the engine even start if it was the injectors? also, wouldn;t something show in the diagnostics, which they have cleared. thank you

 

[James_R]

Did they cut open the filter or empty the fuel tank to check for swarf?

 

[soffpro]

thanks, the fuel filter was checked by the roadside mechanic and was fine. i also bought a new HPFP filter and installed it and has since all been replaced. I am in the dark as to how many checks they have made but the car has been with them 5 weeks now and i expect they're puzzled and embarrassed at it taking so long (between their other pressing work). so, i imagine they have tried whatever needed trying. now saying they think it is a wiring loom issue

 

[James_R]

So, this vehicle is a 2012 1.2 TDI common rail, I dare say it has the delphi fuel system?

It sounds like a lot of people have poked and hoped it and offered a varied range of opinions.

Your car has a sealed fuel filter, if they didn't cut it open and have a look within the paper fins then they didn't do a thorough enough check.

What codes did you have originally? P0087?

You could have blocked injectors, stuck open injectors etc but without knowing what's been checked and how, we're just covering old ground.

I've seen that system fail before and it's usually an issue with the injectors, they need checking with an insulation tester.

 

[soffpro]

So, this vehicle is a 2012 1.2 TDI common rail, I dare say it has the delphi fuel system?

It sounds like a lot of people have poked and hoped it and offered a varied range of opinions.

Your car has a sealed fuel filter, if they didn't cut it open and have a look within the paper fins then they didn't do a thorough enough check.

What codes did you have originally? P0087?

You could have blocked injectors, stuck open injectors etc but without knowing what's been checked and how, we're just covering old ground.

I've seen that system fail before and it's usually an issue with the injectors, they need checking with an insulation tester.

thank you, i will pass this information on to the mechanics. i would have thought this was basic practice, in the immediate stages.

 

[James_R]

Well, given they seem to have fired the parts cannon at it, not been particularly forthcoming with what they've done and why they've replaced things, I'd be asking for a full breakdown of what they've done so far and why, so people can help further.

Faults codes, fuel pressure test results, swarf presence, eternal fuel induction test results, all important information that they haven't shared with you?

 

[soffpro]

Correct - i have directly asked for this in writing and telephone conversation, precisely to help with this feedback, but they have not been forthcoming and just reassured me they will not pass on to me any costs beyond what i agreed with them. the issue is, if a cockup has been made, i am powerless to do anything other than let them fix it at no extra cost - the alternatives are 1, scrap for £250 (after spending around £1k); 2, tow to road parking space and have a year to sell for spares/repairs, if i am lucky for £1k; 3, have them tow it to another mechanic, pay the £1k and then pay another garage to disassemble and reassemble. it's just not a goer to be insistent with these guys, when i know they want to get it sorted for me. if in the end it runs into a conflict with these guys - i have at least documented everything for an ombudsman.

 

[James_R]

What area are you located in?

 

[soffpro]

Hastings, UK