1.5 dci starts then runs lumpy and dies after 5 seconds

[Nobbles]

A first on here. A nissan qashqai 1.5dci 106, had a major service 6 weeks ago including timing belt and water pump and has since just done 4000km in the last two weeks with no problems. It has been a great car. Now we are back home the first run to the supermarket down the road and get back in and the car starts slightly reluctantly then becomes lumpy and dies - it takes only a few seconds, white smoke comes out of the exhaust. If I try to rev the car nothing happens. It is as if it has run out of diesel - but 140kms to go - two segments on the fuel gauge (fuel filter changed in service). The car is still in the supermarket car park and probably will be there all night until we sort out what to do - no breakdown cover and our normal garage is closed for the holidays (welcome to France). Is there any quick things that I can try in the morning?

Already tried:
pumping the fuel balloon
starting with the key
unplugging the air sensor at the rear right of the engine bay

[megamaniac]

Try unplugging all of the engine sensors including the aircon pressure sensor.If it has the same electrics as the renault they all go to the same part of the ecm and make it not run.
We had a megane scenic about a year ago do exactly this and it ended up being the aircon sensor stopping the engine from running.

[Nobbles]

Tried a couple but no difference. It has now been towed to the Nissan dealer... The had a look for an hour today and are suggesting that the piston could be stuck???? Ok my french is no good, but they also mentioned no compression and that the battery was now on charge and they will continue looking on Monday. A load of old tripe in my book. I will give them five hours at the astronomical 93 euros per hour to come back with something that is logical. If not I will take it somewhere else when all the garages are back from holiday.

[Mr Jenks]

Nobbles said:

Tried a couple but no difference. It has now been towed to the Nissan dealer... The had a look for an hour today and are suggesting that the piston could be stuck???? Ok my french is no good, but they also mentioned no compression and that the battery was now on charge and they will continue looking on Monday. A load of old tripe in my book. I will give them five hours at the astronomical 93 euros per hour to come back with something that is logical. If not I will take it somewhere else when all the garages are back from holiday.

Earlier versions of the 1.5 did suffer from low compression caused by gummed up piston rings, but they wouldnt normally display the symptoms that you describe i.e starting ok and running for a short time. they would just spin over and refuse to fire.

I wouldn`t pay them a single euro if they cant come up with a sensible suggestion in 5 hours

[Nobbles]

It turned out to be the EGR, they stripped and cleaned it. So apart from the excessive worrying about their backwards method of elimination by Nissan mentioning the piston rings it came to 2.5 hours work. So panic over and thanks for your help and support.