E320cdi Woes

[st4]

EML light. On for about an hour today then off.

Its had its full service and the new manifolds. Most disconcerting to drive around with this one....

It's gone off. I was thinking hopefully maybe the cold weather and that it was left in the snow/ice all week might have something to do with it, or is that wishful thinking.

Engine seemed to take an age to warm up, understandably, cooler today and it was smoking much more than normal (white smoke) but up to temp I wouldn't say it was much more than normal.

The lights now gone out, and the car drove as normal throughout the time it was one. Several restarts and a £20 splash of fuel didn't cure it. I stopped for 15mins to pick someone up, got in and light was gone.

 

[trapperjohn]

More power to your arm to chop it in Steve?

 

[developer]

I feel for you Steve, one thing after another

Have you denounced your religion lately?

 

[GordonTarling]

I think that light comes on when the engine's about to fall out. If it's gone out and stays out, I wouldn't worry about it. Mine did the same a month or two back and it's not happened since.

 

[camerafodder]

Is there somewhere local that you can get the codes read?

 

[st4]

More power to your arm to chop it in Steve?

I really can't wait for my standing order to my car savings account to top up a bit more. Can't wait to get shot of it now.

I feel for you Steve, one thing after another

Have you denounced your religion lately?

No John, I still like pies and cakes and curries.

The lights gone off, and I don't know whats brought it on. The turbo does make more more of a "hissing" sound since the new manifold, but it drives absolutely fine. The lights gone off now. Perhaps it didn't like the cold weather.

I had the coolant changed, I'm going to wait for the car to cool down and check the fluid level and top up if need be, perhaps not enough anti freeze in there?

 

[st4]

I think that light comes on when the engine's about to fall out. If it's gone out and stays out, I wouldn't worry about it. Mine did the same a month or two back and it's not happened since.

I won't have the time to drive it now for another week or so. Its out just now and will monitor the situation....

Is there somewhere local that you can get the codes read?

Glasgow, but I'll have to cough up. I'd rather wait and see if this is an issue that needs fixed, or a minor shed issue, not a four figure job.

Re-assuring in a way if someone elses did the same. Might be a temp sensor acting up.

I did notice some insulation around some wiring was loose. I tidied all that up and couldn't see any signs of injectors leaking, smells of diesel, signs of coolant leaking etc. I did see some steam coming out the engine front when I stopped for fuel, but it was a damp and cold day

 

[wemorgan]

Oh dear Steve. Join the V6 diesel woes club.

It's worth buying a fault code reader. I have one which thankfully works on most of my cars I've had for a while. It cost only £15 and I can reset the codes too with it.

 

[st4]

Whats more worrying is there are no "obvious" signs of trouble, no smelly diesel, no oil all over the place, no loss of power. The lights out and it could be a one off thing, or it could be the sign of something else to common.

I know the CPS can be a weak point on these, but normally then the car wouldn't turn over. It starts fine and doesn't cut out. Could be a rogue glitch but I have no faith in it now, so I do worry about it more than usual.

 

[LTD]

Aw jeebus.

You aren't having any luck at all ....

I had that light on my car before and it turned out to be the camshaft sensor. £100 to buy and fitted it myself in about 10 minutes.

Hopefully for you, it's just a wee gremlin and won't re-appear.

 

[Dichtung]

Mine came on one Saturday morning when I was in Germany. (C180K) Sounded fine; checked oil level etc; couldn`t do anything about it till Monday morning, so just used it.

Jumped in it Monday to drive to the stealers and light gone.

Hasn`t been back since.

 

[camerafodder]

When was the last time you had the fuel filter changed? Also I don't know what its been like up near you lately but I've driven through more floods and deep puddles these last few months than I can ever remember. Its almost like the car never gets a chance to properly dry out. I wonder if the extraordinarily wet conditions are causing problems in an exposed connector or joint?

 

[wemorgan]

Let's get together and compare fault codes - I've an impressive range.

My current ones are -

EGR out of range - hopefully fixed with EGR blanking plate
Glow plug - car starts fine with 5 of the 6 working

So fault codes are irritating, but not always terminal. But your car is at least x10 the value of mine, so you've every reason to be annoyed.

 

[st4]

I've had it for a winter before, a much harder one where it had to cope with much colder temps. I was amazed how well it ran but I used it every day, now I only drive it on weekends.

Because the car has been in the garage for ages, and I filled it last fully at Carlisle Tesco after the Yorkshire GTG, the fuel in there is almost two months old. That's how little it has been used due to bad weather/3 weeks in a garage over xmas + new year. It just dawned on me I haven't been in a filling station for about 2 months!!! Fuel can degrade....

Some "new fuel" is in there now and maybe that fixed it as the light has remained off for a 20 mile return leg and a quick run round the block to get moisture off the brakes (I cleaned it

Time will tell. PS camerafodder, its just had a major service along with the new turbo seals/port motors/manifolds and all the filters changed. Turbo seems a tad noisier since this though....much more hiss when it spools up.

 

[mobeyone]

Keep us posted, feel for you. Get the codes and see what it is, must be something minor.

 

[davidjpowell]

Are you sure it isn't having an affair with your indie?

 

[st4]

Are you sure it isn't having an affair with your indie?

I wonder if he sabotages it just so I am back in with "yet another problem"....

This car is so **** its unreal!!!

 

[mobeyone]

I wonder if he sabotages it just so I am back in with "yet another problem"....

This car is so **** its unreal!!!

Thats where I'm going... Do you know them well?

 

[steve333]

I wonder if he sabotages it just so I am back in with "yet another problem"....

This car is so **** its unreal!!!

Sorry to hear your having more problems with the car Steve(sounds like this time it's something simple like a faulty sensor as the cars driving ok/no signs of trouble),makes you wonder whether the previous owner(s)neglected the car,maybe time for a 4 pot 5 speed

 

[st4]

Thats where I'm going... Do you know them well?

Indy so far has been brand new....

You're a fair bit further south and are spoilt for Indies in NW England.

Sorry to hear your having more problems with the car Steve(sounds like this time it's something simple like a faulty sensor as the cars driving ok/no signs of trouble),makes you wonder whether the previous owner(s)neglected the car,maybe time for a 4 pot 5 speed

Steve, nothing would give me greater joy than to get rid of the steaming pile of **** that is my E320cdi but cash wise not there yet and don't "do" finance....

I recall it did smoke a little more, and that funny whistle noise from the turbo that wasn't there before, I wonder if the mechanics who worked on my car put it back together properly. Lights off, and I hope it stays that way.

I've got a nice tour lined up in March and a few jollys on here as well as my driving tours I do, last thing I need is that car packing in!!!