crusty jim Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Hi all, I have a TD5 MY03 Disco. I serviced the car today which was very straight forward until I came to the fuel filter. The water sensor on the bottom of the filter broke the top 2 threads when tightening, and although it was still tight, I went to LR and purchased a replacement. The replacement appears to have 2 probes instead of the old one which has a philips screw head with a white band beneath, however I was assured that it was the correct part, and an "updated" part number. I re-fitted the sensor and filter, but the car would not start, initially giving the "water in fuel" fault lamp on the dash. I tried to get the pressure in the fuel system back up by cycling 30 secs on Ignition II, then 15 secs off for six cycles before cranking.. However the car did not start ! I then tried replacing the old filter and sensor, to no avail. I then tried to "purge" the fuel system by depressing the throttle 5 times with the ignition on II and allowing it to go through its cycle.. However by this time the battery was all but dead. The filter makes lots of wooshing and swirling noise, and you can hear fuel in the engine bay.. but whether it is at the correct pressure, I have no idea ? The car is now sat on the drive, blocking the garage - on charge. I'm hoping that the car will pressurise and start tomorrow.. But what do I do if it doesn't ?? HELP !!! Please ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 The water sensor input has no bearing on whether or not the engine will start - the sensor regularly goes wrong and they don't cause problems. It sounds like you are doing the right thing except you should do the five throttle presses to initiate the bleed cycle, then when the light stops flashing foot to the floor on the throttle and crank till it starts. I don't know of any that have had problems but from the description of the noise it does sound like air in the system. Charge it up and try again would be my advice, there shouldn't be a problem - unless the fuel pump is on the way out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vavu Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I agree with BogMonster the sensor itself wont stop the engine from starting (assuming the sensor is fitted correctly and not letting air into the system) From experience when I had a TD5 I had the sensor replaced a couple of times they were notorious for failing but didn't have any impact on the function of the car. Not too sure on bleeding the system as back then I never had time to do my own servicing so it was always done by a garage, I did have experience with a couple of garages telling me they wouldn't change a fuel filter on a TD5 because they were troublesome to re prime but as they were not Land Rover specialists I guessed they didn't have experience with doing them!! I had a Nissan Navara that I was struggling to re prime and start and I telephoned the main dealer who told me they were an absolute B****td to get going again and they said sometimes they have to put them on a boost start and just keep cranking them sometimes for 6-7mins, He said just when you think its not gonna start it will fire up!! Might be similar with the TD5 but as I don't have experience I can't be sure!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plantpot1961 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I followed this procedure from this link. It was strightforward and easy to follow. The system itself, is self priming. http://www.discovery2.co.uk/fuel_filter.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusty jim Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 Hi Folks, I purged the tank using the ECU 5x throttle presses on Igg II about 8-10 times and the filter finally stopped glugging and swirling. The car then started fine and after a good leg stretch feels fine !! Think I must have had alot of air trapped in the system. I'll pre-fill the filter next time.. Thanks for all your help ! Alex.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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