Honesty blinds
New member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2014
- Messages
- 12
- Points
- 4
I'm not a mechanic and have been trying to sort out a loud engine knock which was apparently 'diesel knock'. Thanks to the two forum members who suggested changing the fuel fiĺter or maybe an injector?
It turned out to be the 'common problem' of the advance solenoid actuator. I picked up info that said, if...when you turn the ignition on prior to actually starting...you DON'T hear a sort of fast clicking / crackling noise, it's a sign of a faulty advance solenoid. Well, I didn't, so it seemed worth a shot. The part was 69.95 on Ebay so I bought it but had no idea where it was located on the engine. I asked but got no reply. Anyway...I found it, replaced the part within 30 minutes and now my engine purrs like a kitten. I'll describe what I did just in case it helps other non- mechanics, such as me.
The solenoid is located at the front of the engine. I removed the pipe between the air filter box and the EGR valve to make access easier. The solenoid had a rubber cap on it, which was cable tied. I removed the cover but had trouble seeing how to unplug the wire. I used an adjustable spanner to loosen the solenoid, not knowing if I was going to lose loads of diesel or if I would need to bleed the system afterwards, neither as it happens!
I carefully unplugged a couple of connected wiring connectors and found the wire to the solenoid could be slid sideways, then unplugged. In truth, I snipped the wire with pliers, unscrewed the old solenoid and removed it before finding out how icould have unplugged it but you can learn from my mistake. I screwed in the new unit, tightened it with the adjustable, reconnected the wires and replaced the air pipe. With fingers crossed I turned the key and heard the crackling sound. Engine started and now runs normally with no knocking. I'll add a few pics when i work out how, to hopefully help.
It turned out to be the 'common problem' of the advance solenoid actuator. I picked up info that said, if...when you turn the ignition on prior to actually starting...you DON'T hear a sort of fast clicking / crackling noise, it's a sign of a faulty advance solenoid. Well, I didn't, so it seemed worth a shot. The part was 69.95 on Ebay so I bought it but had no idea where it was located on the engine. I asked but got no reply. Anyway...I found it, replaced the part within 30 minutes and now my engine purrs like a kitten. I'll describe what I did just in case it helps other non- mechanics, such as me.
The solenoid is located at the front of the engine. I removed the pipe between the air filter box and the EGR valve to make access easier. The solenoid had a rubber cap on it, which was cable tied. I removed the cover but had trouble seeing how to unplug the wire. I used an adjustable spanner to loosen the solenoid, not knowing if I was going to lose loads of diesel or if I would need to bleed the system afterwards, neither as it happens!
I carefully unplugged a couple of connected wiring connectors and found the wire to the solenoid could be slid sideways, then unplugged. In truth, I snipped the wire with pliers, unscrewed the old solenoid and removed it before finding out how icould have unplugged it but you can learn from my mistake. I screwed in the new unit, tightened it with the adjustable, reconnected the wires and replaced the air pipe. With fingers crossed I turned the key and heard the crackling sound. Engine started and now runs normally with no knocking. I'll add a few pics when i work out how, to hopefully help.
