After being used intermittently in winter, vehicle was allowed to stand for 2 months. It started OK but wouldn't rev, stopped and wouldn't re-start.

Found no fuel being delivered, first suspected lift pump (checked, OK) and then found the push-fit fuel pipe water from separator-lift pump was loose at the separator. Re-connected, cleaned out separator, primed up but it took much cranking to start, but seemed OK when it did.

Left overnight, failed to start again. Primed through, including cracking 2 injector pipes, all OK. Finally started, again after lots of cranking, and taken for test drive. Seemed OK except for some hesitation full throttle under load in low gears.

After stoppng the engine normally, it wouldn't re-start. Primed through by cranking on the starter and occasional bubbles spurted out of bleed nipple as if air was getting in somewhere. Rechecked connector at separator = OK.

All pipe connections checked, primed again and no bubbles evident but it still wouldn't start before battery went flat!

What next?? Help!!!

Roger, May 2009

Thanks for your help, john -

It was a dodgy o-ring between the water separator bowl and the body!

Roger, May 2009

Change your fuel filters, maybe check your fuel make sure its not got water in, then open all the injectors and crank it over make sure there is no air in there, i dont like the stuff but you could try easy start dont go over the top with it as engines get addicted and then wont start with out it.

john, May 2009

I think it is the non return valves on your lift pump thats causing this, allowing fuel to drain back from the injector pump, through the lift pump and heading back to the tank - hence the need to crack open an injector pipe to allow a start up. Also check the condition of the fuel pipes where they leave the tank - leakage here will cause starting disasters.

John, May 2009