406 HDI 90 won't start

[hywel30]

Hi guys i wonder if anyone can shed some light on my problem???
Changed the filter the other day and snapped one of the plastic pipes on the filter cap!!!! nightmare to find another cap but did in the end So nexy day fit the cap no problem!! then went to start it wouldn't start!!!!!!!! ended up killing battery
Left battery on charge over night and went to fire it up today, still won't start!!!
So things i've checked: fuel to filter, good :fuel to pump, good : fuel to injectors, good.
Right now after two hours of fiddling checking this and that i took injector out and cranked it over to my luck no flippin fuel spraying from any of them!!
The car has always started and run like a train, could anyone please help, before i burn the f*$%ing thing!!!
Thanks guys
Ive also forgot to mention that for the last few weeks the car has been hunting on tickover, thought that was down to filter hence why i changed it.
I'v also read somewhere that the ECU wont open the injectors until the fuel pressure reaches 120bar?? if this is true could that be the reason for it hunting, perhaps crap in the pump or somewhere alnog the fuel lines causing the pressure to drop?? hence now why she wont start
Do hope someone can shed some light

[highlander]

I'm no expert, but is there not a pump in the fuel tank (lift pump?)

[hywel30]

I'm no expert, but is there not a pump in the fuel tank (lift pump?)

Yes there is my friend, but it seems to working fine as when ignition is switched on it can be heard running, but come to think about it it does sound as if there is air or something in it as it seems to gurgle a bit, and there is over quarter of a tank in it.

[steve_earwig]

Right now after two hours of fiddling checking this and that i took injector out and cranked it over to my luck no flippin fuel spraying from any of them!!

I presume you've read all the warnings about the fuel pressure being enough to kill you

I'm fairly sure you'd get a warning up if the rail pressure drops.

Where did you source your new filter head?

[hywel30]

Yep i'v read all about it, i got the cap off a 406 from the breakers its in sonud condition I'v even disconnected the pipes from the injectors and also the fuel rail, cranked it over and the fuel just seems to trickle out not jet out like i was expecting????

[grayWilko]

Hi folks,

HELP !!!!

Just changed the complete fuel filter on my 02 plate 406 HDI 90 (broke the old one trying to unscrew it - just like you Hywel!!) and car now won't start. Has always been reliable up to this point. Do I need to bleed it or something? Haynes manual says system is self bleeding as the lift pump in the fuel tank supplies low pressure fuel as soon as the ignition is switched on but then again ............. I drained the old filter and disconnected the fuel hoses and the electrical connection before fitting the new filter housing/filter. Doesn't appear to be any fuel in the hoses when I turn the ignition on. Does this mean a fault with the lift pump or do I just need to bleed the system if so. how?

Thanks

GrayWilko

[womble171]

Join the club with the non starter!

If its self bleeding then you have to turn the ignition on and off about 5 or 6 times. You should hear the pump (under the rear seat behind the driver) whirring away then stop.

[rwb]

02 plate?
Could be a Siemens system.
If it is then you'll have a priming bulb to the top left of the engine, and no pesky in-tank pump. (The Bosch fuel filter is shorter and fatter and has a larger hole in its middle.)
In my experience the priming bulb will never go hard, but you should see diesel (and bubbles) in the clear plastic pipes that connect to the fuel filter.

[ScottyDave]

Be carefull cranking the engine till the battery goes flat... you could spike the ECU I found out the hard way when mine wouldn't start, £408 lighter in the pocket

[Doggy]

It's not a good idea to crank it for ages, push or tow start it. The HP pump relies on fuel for lubrication. Run it dry and you risk killing it and possibly your injectors too.

[grayWilko]

Thanks Guys!

Yes mine has the rubber priming pump. I'd pretty much drained the battery trying to start it. Breakdown service bloke got it going again using a battery booster, the hand pump and a few squirts of Kwikstart in the inlet and it's now running like a trooper! I'm a new taxi driver and all the guys recommended the 406 and they're not wrong, it's done nearly 170,000 and very reliable.