Honda Accord 2.2 I-CDTi 2007 Intermittent Starting problem

[Jordiefan]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for advice from anyone who knows anyone or has had similar problems.

I have owned the car for approx 2 years with no problems. Lately have had 3 problems over a period of about 3 months,

First fault came up, over 2000 revs car went into limp home safe mode, a full service and eventually a fuel filter change solved this problem.

Second fault came up, no voltage going to the heating plugs, bad earth was blamed for this on wire close to fuse box.

Third fault came up, intermittent starting issues. Car diagnosed in garage as Crank shaft sensor needed replacement, sensor replaced and car started good for two days then reverted back to old intermittent starting issues again.

The problem seems to be that car will start perfectly sometimes(cranks 5 or 10 seconds)then starts
but other times cranks no problem but battery will almost die before car starting.(probably 4 x 30 second cranking sessions or more)
One failure in starting (fuel filter blamed and changed, away for few days so different garage)

Battery was checked under load and found to be okay, will need to take the car back to the garage again soon.

Has anyone come across this problem before, any help appreciated.

Jordiefan

[ALawson]

Have you got any fault codes?

My car wouldn't rev past 2k revs, I got three fault codes and was going to replace a £150 part, some sort of vacuum thing.

In the end the warning light went out and has been fine.

Have you done any reading on typeaccord.org?

[Jordiefan]

Thanks ALawson, Some very usefulinformation on the TypeAccord site,

I dont have any codes as it was the garage who plugged in his hand held system.

the site indicates maybe 3 things, EGR valve problem, injector problem or Non genuine Honda Fuel filter(persume Honda charge inflated prices for filters)

Thanks for your help if I get any codes when I go back to garage I will post them here.

[mikey77]

Honda parts prices are often no higher than pattern parts in my experience. And there does seem to be an issue with non-Honda fuel filters.

[ALawson]

I was convinced that it was a non Honda fuel filter earlier. As the light went out I haven't been to bother to check any further.

My local Indy reckons they never fit genuine Honda parts (filter wise) and never have any cars back. I still paid the extra the Honda filters!

[Jordiefan]

I have an update on this starting issue.
I was away for a trip at the weekend and after a 2 hour drive on Sat I went to fill up for fuel, when I went to start the car again I noticed the car cranked for a long time before starting after the fill up.
When I came home on Sunday after almost 3 hours driving I pulled in again for fuel just around the corner from home and the car wouldnt start so I had to leave the car at the station over night, I returned the next morning and the car started first time.

Going back to when Crank shaft sensor was changed after a 2 hour drive the car almost didnt start.

I am begining to see a small pattern here, this intermittent problem seems to be worst after a long drive.

Has anyone seen a problem similar to this previously?

[ALawson]

Only thing I can suggest which caused my issues were putting 0.6l of petrol into it when completely empty.

Obviously I then put 56 litres of V-Power diesel and it ran ok. (this was 3k miles before the above episode of running issues).

The car has just done 1500 miles in the last 3 weeks and (touchwood) not missed a beat.

What are the contacts like on the crankshaft sensor? Could they have some contact issues? Any more warning lights and or codes?

[Tim1962]

Hello,
I'm no expert on cars and engines but your experience seems similar to mine.
I believe the reason why these fixes are working in the short term is down to two factors: Firstly the new parts are working at optimum level and so compensate in the short term for the poor performance of the underlying component. Secondly, the problem is probably getting worse.

In the end I have fitted a new High Pressure Fuel Pump (£1,720 plus VAT and the Fuel Rail (£900 plus VAT)
The car runs as perfectly as ever. The logic behind the move is that the Honda Garage with all the gismos and computers still struggle to evaluate mechanical failures. The diagnostics confirm all the sensors and anything electrical are OK so it has to be a simple wear and tear issue.

The good news is that the parts are actually very readily available on the second hand market to the point that I could easily have picked up secondhand parts for 10% of the new price. These Common Rail engines are highly dependant upon reliable fuel pressure. I hope this helps.
V best
Tim

[Jordiefan]

Thanks Tim.

Could I ask you to explain a little more about what kind of problems you were having with your car before you changed the fuel pump or was it just generally an intermittent starting problem?

What prompted you to change the fuel pump, was it a chat with your mechanic?

[Jonno2212]

Im a honda trainee" but with the accord "delayed starting or non starting can be the fuel sender and or filter.. Which is expensive but! Fuel treatment can help this give it a try first or prime the fuel pump a few times before starting, to build up pressure ..