Diesel Engine Problem

statman

I have a Movano van that intermittently looses power and stalls (twice in 140 mile trip). It seems the fuel seems to stop.
Garage have already charged £200 for replacing a fuel sensor but no improvement and now want it back to send it to a diesel expert??
Has anybody any knowledge of this problem or advice as to how to handle a garage who carry out work that has no positive results? Do I have to pay them for all the work?
Thank you

Quinny_2

Have you asked the question on the HonestJohn website?

Ken.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/home/index.htm

statman

thanks
I've just registered on the forum so fingers crossed!

Quinny_2

And I see you have had 2 replies already.

Ken.

northern_munky

What was the sensor the garage replaced? There is a known fault with the coolant temp sensor and its wiring which causes the engine to jerk and stall.

statman

I think it was the fuel sensor that was replaced.

peterbaker

On most modern turbodiesels I think there is also a "Mass Airflow Meter" (MAF Meter or MAM) dangling in the airflow pipe between the airfilter and the turbocharger.

This may not be the problem, but if the Movano is not low mileage it might be worth checking out.

Can't speak for what occurs in Vauxhalls, but I can tell you that replacement of this simple part (it's just an electronic 'wet finger' in the wind) can give astounding results on higher mileage Audi/VW engines. Gets rid of low power problems (which often manifest themselves in easy stalling) and also gets rid of flat spots in acceleration. My 160,000 mile A6 performs like new again! You can get one on eBay for Audi/VW for about £40. Takes 2 mins to replace with a Torx or Philips screwdriver (depending what they used for the two screws which hold it in place). Kind of thing a VAG dealer would charge you £250 for.

I have had a quick look on eBay for you to see if there is a Vauxhall MAF. Indeed there is! I found an old auction reference that offered one for a movano too! Cant see a current one that says movano today however.

Search for air flow vauxhall

Most of the eBay pictures show a short section of air flow pipe with a sensor embedded in it. You can either buy it like that or from some places you can just buy the sensor itself as I did which is about 80-100mm long and plugs into the pipe held in place by the two screws I mentioned. If your vehicle is old, then use WD40 overnight to free off the screws before you tackle them. Even though they just screw into the plastic pipe, they corrode and shear off easily (my MAF sensor is held in place by one screw as a result of me finding that out the hard way:D)

I am just a contented diesel driver not a mechanic, but I do hope this turns out to be your problem rather than something less easy to fix. Judging from the number of these MAF sensors being sold on eBay, I would say it IS probably THE most common diesel performance problem on higher mileage engines. I can promise you that it certainly makes a big difference if it IS the problem and you swap the sensor! My new sensor was a German make beginning with P supposed to be superior to the factory fitted Bosch, and actually was posted from Germany.

Good luck!

statman

Thanks peterbaker. Unfortunately I gave the van back to the garage as I was advised to give them a chance to resolve the problem. I just hope they don't run up a bill like an Aussie cricket score!!!

statman

the problem has been diagnosed as the injectors to update the story
from one problem to another!

peterbaker

statman wrote:

the problem has been diagnosed as the injectors to update the story from one problem to another!

... but is it fixed then?

...round and round the garden,...

I think the airflow meter sensor is connected to the knee-bone is connected to the thigh bone is connected to the injector pump:D (if that's any help!)

I hate such problems and really do feel sorry for you. I guess I got very lucky with mine. Mine went through two full services both with "could you take a look at the flat spots in acceleration please" with Audi before I fixed it myself

statman

It is nice to know someone cares!! They have quoted over £900 just for the parts!! Gulp............
I give up!