Technical Ducato 2020 engine turns but does not start.

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Technical Ducato 2020 engine turns but does not start.

Anyone think a hand could safely be placed fully over the air inlet to feel if engine drawing any air in?(sucking a vacuum?)
Or completely over exhaust pipe to see if air is being pumped through by engine while cranking?
Maybe a balloon or similar😁 rolled onto exhaust tail pipe too see if inflation occurs?

Maybe not the full palm, splayed fingers (y) like .... 🖐️
 
Trying to think outside the box perhaps the balloon.....or similar over tail pipe could indicate a blocked exhaust system or exhaust camshaft not operating.
I know they are long shots.
 
Sounds very much like an engine receiving no fuel and/or air.

Use your obd reader to monitor fuel pressure whilst cranking - what does it show static and whilst cranking.

Revisit & reset the inertia switch.

Can you hear the low pressure pump in the tank running?

Definitely definitely check the throttle valve position.
Both low and high pressure are reported as fine (4 and 560 bar respectively).
inertia switch confirmed pressed down (that's the correct position right?).
When key is in ignition, I hear the diesel pump running for about 10-15 seconds. When i completely emptied the tank, the pump sucked up a bunch of air.
When I refueled, i heard it gurgle and I kept running it on and off until it gurgled no more.
 
Both low and high pressure are reported as fine (4 and 560 bar respectively
Ok - so now would be a good time to check:
a) if the injectors are getting a signal from the ecu. A technician with oscilloscope can check this.
b) what compression each cylinder has.

If all that is beyond equipment & capabilities, bearing in mind that you’ve started this thread on the 1st of August, surely it’s time to admit defeat (we’ve all been there!) & locate a garage/mobile mechanic that can diagnose it?
 
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Ok - so now would be a good time to check:
a) if the injectors are getting a signal from the ecu. A technician with oscilloscope can check this.
b) what compression each cylinder has.

If all that is beyond equipment & capabilities, bearing in mind that you’ve started this thread on the 1st of August, surely it’s time to admit defeat (we’ve all been there!) & locate a garage/mobile mechanic that can diagnose it?

I'm waving the white flag.

I'll follow up shortly.
 
Before I post this summary, I'd like to thank everyone who's been involved for their efforts in trying to help me. I have learned a great amount and I truly appreciate your kindness and help.

Final update:
tl;dr: Despite the awesome support and helpful attitude of this forum, I was not able to fix the issue myself. What could have been a relatively quick fix, due to stubbornness, became an elongated battle.
713:4.

When this happened, my initial thought was to let a tow truck bring us to the nearest workshop. That gut feeling... don't ignore it =)
Instead I managed to push it the remaining stretch to our destination, where it ended up stranded for a month.
Embarrassing, yes. But I feel I need to share it to avoid make sure I don't make the same mistake again. =)

After running his diagnostics and a few tests on site, he suspected had something to do with the injectors. As a result, he suggested I take the vehicle to a diesel mechanic located about 25km's away.
Having left my stubbornness behind, I took his advice and arranged the transportation of the motorhome to said workshop.
The motorhome was parked outside the mechanic's ground for two days, waiting for a slot.

The culprits were clogged injectors. Dirt had accumulated on the tips preventing the mist to form. No mist means no ignition.
He ran them through their cleansing machines, plugged them right back, and lo and behold, it's alive!

4 hours. From work started to the phone call telling me that it's working again.
4 hours.
Compared to the 713 hours it's been standing, simply because I was convinced I could break that wall with my forehead.
Removing the engine cover, I noticed that the injectors were rusty. When asked about it, the mechanic explained that it's not normal but happens, maybe due to fuel (?), or perhaps it is a case of water leaking onto the engine block.

To be honest, I would have expected a degradation of performance or some smoke development due to unburned fuel in some cylinders. Not a complete engine stall with the subsequent refusal of restart.

I'll be running better fuel and the occasional fuel injector cleaner through the system from now on.
 
I am amazed that was fault
I am very very happy it turned out to be an easy fix / less expensive fix (-:
 
The culprits were clogged injectors.
giphy.gif
 
Replace the fuel filter immediately with a tip brand filter... Fingers xed injector specialist already did so.

A huge thanks for telling us the fix and that you are now ok.
 
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