Hi all, this is my first post to the forum and I'm hoping I can get some advice on my 2008 TD4 auto that I purchased second-hand a few months ago.

If I leave it standing for more than a day, it develops a strange problem on starting up again. Starting is fine, but idling is slightly erratic. When I pull off, it feels like there is no power at all, and the engine sounds and feels like one or more of the cylinders is misfiring. Then, suddenly it feels like the turbo kicks in and everything is back to normal.

If I use the vehicle daily, no problems at all. It seems the longer I leave it standing, the worse it is when I return to the vehicle. I recently went away for 4 days and left the car at home, When I got back to start it, it was worse than ever, and even stalled at the end of the road. After re-starting, it laboured for a bit, then suddenly kicks in and continued as per normal again.

There is no warning message on the display and the engine management light does not come on, nothing at all except the symptoms I described.

I will most likely take it in to my independent to check it out, but just wanted to get some ideas of what it could be so I know more or less what to expect?

My initial thought is perhaps the fuel system is de-pressurising over time if I leave it. Perhaps a non-return valve on the line?

It could easily be air in the diesel. Sometimes it may be possible to find a diesel leak on the pipe work which is leaking under operating condition pressure and pulling air in when static so why not do the easy part of removing the top plastic engine shield, (two easy to see bolts at the front of the engine and one nut? At the rear under the air hose). You may spot a leak or funny coloured liquid around an injector. If you spot a leak it might be easy to tighten a joint.
.
There is however no guarantee of spotting a leak as sometimes air can leak in, yet diesel not escape at a dicky joint.
.
It's just worth a look as its such an easy job and it might just solve the problem
.
Kind regards from Fred 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Last edited by fredastaire on 15th Jan 2014 9:47 am. Edited 1 time in total

Do you know anyone who can check for fault codes?

Agreed, get the fault codes read if you can, but I'd say there's every chance that Fred is spot on with a minor leak allowing air into the fuel.

Great, thanks for the tip Fred! Had a good look but nothing visible, also don't have access to a fault reader but I've booked it in to the independent next week, I will report back the findings.

The EGR valve was faulty - replaced and back to normal.

For any anybody reading this at a later date, if you have a MY 2007 - 2010 then you can buy and fit an EGR blanking plate which fits on the EGR pipe connection at the throttle body. If it cures faults then you know you have a faulty EGR system. The EGR blank is a quick fit and raised no other issues. I've had an EGR blank fitted for the last 8 weeks. If you have a MY 2011 onwards then the engine software will throw a wobbler if you fit a blank.
.
Kind regards from Fred.
.

Where can I get a blank from for the egr ?

Hi Fredastaire,

Do you think it would be possible to DIY cut and make the EGR blanking plate?

I'm not Fred, but...

There are a number of threads relating to EGR blanking, at least one of which contains links to Ebay items and some basic dimensions. I suggest you use the search facility to look for 'EGR blanking plate' and have a read of the results - e.g. http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic13553-30.html

As for making one, it looks as though it should be easy enough so long as you get a good seal.

Thanks Pab

Seems simple enough to make.

Silly me why didn't I think about using the search function instead of asking a question first.