1996 2.1 td estate hard to start and using a little fuel

[shaun406]

my pug is using a little fuel ever since i bought it as the pump was gone so i put a good second hand 1 on it and it drives perfect but its only doing 500 miles to £70 and will only do 90 mph it pulls well but seems to struggle past 75 ish there is no management light on or nothinng and it is hard to start takes some winding over but dont know how it ran before as bought it as a non runner its had new glow plugs too so any sugestions welcome please

[puggy]

have you changed the filters ??

[Welly]

I am wondering if the fuel injection timing is out (having fitted new pump) and you are constantly burying the accelerator to make it go. The lack of top end and poor starting would also be symptoms of fuel/timing.

James will know, but we'll have to wait for him to get back from work (and have his shepherds pie and peas )

[steve_earwig]

I had the same thought, I think the pump needs additional tweeking to match it to the pulley etc.. Haynes says something about sticking a sharpened welding rod in the pump (or is it a knitting needle?) to align it.

Mmmm, shepherd's pie, them were the days

[Welly]

There was a guy on here ages ago who had a cambelt fitted and they didn't time the pump properly in the process and it was a devil to start, sluggish etc. they re-timed everything and it was sorted but apparently the 2.1 (or even the 19) is a pig to time up if you're not 'in the know'

[shaun406]

well all the filters have been changed and it just doesnt pull right at the top end what are these motors capable of in speed and on fuel consumption my old mans a mechanic and think we might be putting a new timming belt kit on it at wkend as dont know any history of belt on it so this might sort it out the was a timing mark on the pump took old 1 off and put new in same place it does start but takes a good couple of turns surly that cant be right

[jameslxdt]

sounds like the dynamic timing is out, which usually is caused by the initial static timing being incorrect or the pump sprocket being loosend, this will give you poor starting and no power at the top as it cant advance the timing for higher reving or starting, but that fuel economy sounds about right for a 2.1td,
are you waiting for the glow plug light to go out before starting?

[shaun406]

yeah some times have to heat it twice

[steve_earwig]

That could just be your glowplugs getting old.

Haynes 57 realities says the injection timing will only need adjusting if you're disturbed the pump, I think actually replacing it might count. Change belt I reckon, if all the timing marks line up ok before the belt's off it might be an idea to check the injection timing.