L300 won't start...

[PolyTek]

Started fine last night, and this morning, then after a 45 minute drive, then sitting parked fo 20 minutes engine will not catch. Turns over,isn't rough. Behaving like its out of fuel. Water in fuel? Fuel pump? Other ideas?

Cheers

[Growlerbearnz]

Assuming it's not actually out of fuel, it sounds like air getting into the fuel lines somehow. Air in the steel lines to the injectors will compress, and the injectors won't see enough pressure to open. Usually it's a loose clamp on a fuel line hose, or an air leak into the pump (usually the front seal, but can be anywhere.)

Look for diesel leaking out of the pump and fuel lines. You'll have to take the timing belt cover off to check the front seal, but best to catch that one early- diesel fuel and timing belts don't mix.

To start it, try loosening the fuel line nuts on each injector a bit, cranking until fuel comes out, then tightening them. That should remove any air in the lines and allow the injectors to work.

Let us know how you get on.

[PolyTek]

Solved.

The breather hose at the back of the rocker cover was disconnected. It must have been like that for almost 5 weeks, when the rocker cover gasket was replaced. That, in combination with the fuel getting low (light had *just* come on), must have allowed air to enter the fuel system somewhere. Primed the lines with the fuel filter hand pump, and all is good. Whew!

Thanks for the input everyone.

BTW, the mechanic who left that hose unattached is NOT a Delica specialist, so no real need to warn anyone. He is also a long-time (15yrs) mechanic for me, so I will just have a chat with him. One of his guys obviously missed it. It *is* deep in that back corner...

[Growlerbearnz]

Good thinking using the priming pump to get fuel moving again!

I'm dubious about the breather hose being the cause, but I guess we'll find out if it happens again.

[PolyTek]

I had pumped and pumped and pumped with no success until I attached that hose. As soon as I did that, I turned over the engine, then pumped again with immediate success.