Renault Tragic Diesel

[timagal]

Hello! I was hoping some of you gurus could give me a piece of advice.

I have two stuck glowplugs in my old Renault Trafic 2.1D (T1300). Because of the fuel pump, it is very difficult to access them. I have already sprayed some WD-40 but still there's no way: one of them is already broken off at the tip, the other one has just been munched at the hexagon. Any ideas?

Alternatively I have been trying to crank it off but here in Finland it simply doens't get warm enough. I've heard that it should be possible to so with warmed up diesel.

All I get is diesel fuel coming off the pump, and the diafragm in the filter simply doesn't "harden up". The engine turns but doesn't fire up.

Well, seems I'm pretty much done for, what do you think?

I am very disappointed with these "froggy diesels": my religion is plain old gasoline Opels....

Thanks!

[nel]

Would have expected it to fire on at least the 2 cylinders with good glowplugs in - are you sure that the glowplug circuit is working correctly? Checked the fuse? I recall a similar problem with an old Citroen diesel where only 2 of the plugs could be easily changed - it would start on 2 cylinders after a bit of churning but mades loads of smoke until the other 2 cylinders decided to join in!

Other than that, if necessary you'll probably have to remove components to give you the access to the seized glow plugs so that you can get in with good quality sockets and replace them. Chuck a bit of diesel on each of them and leave it for a day - it's a great penetrant and doesn't vapourise like WD40.

[timagal]

Thank you for the suggestion, Nel: it hadn't occured to me that diesel itself could do the trick.

I know that the circuit is working because I took one of the plugs off and, while holding it with pliers, had a friend switch on the ignition - and it glowed.

Do you think it could then be the diesel pump; I mean is it normal that fuel pours slightly out of it when insisting on cranking the engine? Is there any way I can be sure if there's a problem with the pump?

Likewise, could you give me a tip on how to check for air leakages in the linings? Could it be that the diafragm in the diesel filter is letting air in?

I am feeling very embarassed for being such a complete ignorant when it comes to diesel, but reassured at the same time to know that I am in the right place here.

Thank you good people once again.

[nel]

I don't think that it's normal that the diesel pump leaks diesel when you crank it! That sounds like a problem in itself. Checking the pump - maybe start by seeing if you're getting a spray of diesel at the injectors but careful not to get a facefull and don't put your finger over the end of it!

As for the filter and air ingress - no idea. Modern diesels have an autobleed valve that takes air out of the injection system and a little hand pump (black neoprene pear-shaped jobbie) that can be used for this purpose if you've run the engine dry.

Hopefully someone who knows more about diesels than me will come along with more advice, but diagnosis via the Net is difficult!

Best of luck

>> Edited by nel on Friday 15th April 10:24