Technical Multi running rough, misfiring?!

[minisandfiats]

My 2003 JTD has started running very rough and being reluctant to start! When it does start it sounds very lumpy and pulls unevenly.

Thinking it probably needs air/fuel filter changing, and maybe EGR cleaning out?

Recently I topped the oil up to the top of the dipstick, and the screen readout says "too much"- searches suggest that the dipstick is to believed rather than the screen? Surely oil to the top mark can't harm engine?

Is it likely to be what I think? Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[BikeDoc]

A Dipstick is the only 100% reliable method of measuring your Oil level, provided the car is reasonably level of course.

Even with all the multi-million pound technology and electronics in the Aerospace industry, we still check the Oil levels on our Aircraft Engines by the sight-glass on the Oil Tanks, and double-check the Fuel levels (when needed) with the built-in Dipsticks.

My Multi is forever giving spurious Oil level messages, always use the Dipstick to be sure.

As to your rough-running and poor starting, if it's like it all the time, and at all Engine speeds, my first thought would be a dodgy Injector.
You could run some Injector Cleaner through the system, see if it makes any difference.

I'd certainly check the Air and Fuel Filters, and the EGR first though, as that will cost you nothing (Assuming you're doing it yourself).

 

[minisandfiats]

Definitely doing it myself! Would too much oil damage the engine (not that I think that's the prob as dipstick right!)

 

[BikeDoc]

You'd have to seriously overfill the Oil to do any harm I'd think.
A litre or two over wouldn't do anything.

Did the rough running happen suddenly, or has it gotten steadily worse over time?

My previous Diesel (Toyota Lucida) had a water drain tap on the base of the Fuel filter housing, and needed draining regularly.

You may have picked up some contaminated (Water, or other) Fuel at some point, so I'd definitely check the Filter for starters, especially if you don't know for sure if it's ever been replaced.

 

[minisandfiats]

Got worse suddenly on way home from work Friday- over last 2 miles.
Off to clean our EGR now- got some injector cleaner too- will see how it goes!

 

[minisandfiats]

Actually I just filled up (well, put £20) with fuel before it did it- could this be the cause? Is contaminated fuel common?

 

[minisandfiats]

Well that just gets weirder. Went to to it, tried to start it, wouldn't start at all! Turned over and you could hear it nearly starting but it wouldn't!
Chucked a load (a bottle!) of injector cleaner in tank, still nothing. Then I looked at the fuel filter, and unscrewed drain plug at bottom. Load of fuel came out, then I replaced plug
Tried to start it again, and it ran! Lumpily like it did before though. Went to garage and sloshed £30 of fuel in the tank, now it's fine! Running smoothly and not missing a beat?!
So thinking it was either dodgy fuel, or just a really clogged up filter? Planning on replacing fuel, air and oil filters anyway just in case.

Had a horrible thought that I might have put petrol in, but as it seems fine now this is unlikely- if I had ran it with petrol in by now I think I would have killed it- am I right?

Thanks for help anyway!

 

[widemouthfrog]

After the tankful with the injector cleaner has gone through, it may be worth adding some 2 stroke oil to the diesel for a while. It acts as a good lubricant, which will protect the injector pump if you have got water in the fuel, and it burns cleanly.

Some people add 2 stroke to their diesel all the time as they say it makes the engine run more smoothly; can't comment on that as I've never tried it myself.