Diesel engine help!

jazzymonkey · Post by **jazzymonkey** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:22 pm

Im looking at buying a cheap diesel runaround so i can take my Impreza off the road for a while, needs a new driveshaft and a few other bits.

The diesel car in question is a Ford Escort 98 LX TD.

He says the "The car runs and drives, however, the engine is quite lumpy and smokes a fair amount."

And "I've been told the smoking and the lumpiness in the engine is something to do with a sensor in the diesel pump, however I have not investigated this and can't be sure for this to be true. I can tell you that there is no knocking from the engine, and she does feel like the power is there when driven so I do not believe it is the big ends at fault."

What do you guys think? Input would be much apreciated.
Thanks in advance.
JM

woody · Post by **woody** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:58 pm

What colour is the smoke? If it is white then it is quite likely fuel pump related as white smoke is unburnt, compressed fuel which due to the pump not supplying the fuel at the right time isn't being burnt and so dump out the exhaust. This of course does nothing for fuel economy even if the car feels as if it is pulling ok. It could just as likely be the fuel filter needs replacing or some injector cleaner needed. Imagining the price of such a model I would say if it drives ok then its worth the punt!

jazzymonkey · Post by **jazzymonkey** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:39 pm

Thanks for the info, bought it and pick it up soon. I will post more info when i get it home.
JM

jazzymonkey · Post by **jazzymonkey** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:19 pm

Update. The car starts fine, but idles lumpy and smokes (white) until warmed up. And sometimes after driving for a while and come to a stop the engine idles lumpy.
Anyone got any ideas what it could be?
Thanks in advance.
JM

woody · Post by **woody** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:51 pm

I would spend a tenner and get a fuel filter and a bottle of injector cleaner. I used to have an escort van for work and that was always lumpy on idle but went on and on.

jazzymonkey · Post by **jazzymonkey** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:08 pm

woody wrote:I would spend a tenner and get a fuel filter and a bottle of injector cleaner. I used to have an escort van for work and that was always lumpy on idle but went on and on.

The previous owner changed the filter and a few other service things. And i have just put some injector cleaner in. He also said that a friend of his said it might be the advance solenoid in the diesel pump, not sure about that one. Going to get a manual and see if that can shed some light.