No I would never own a diesel, but a friend does. And it won't start. I don't know alot about diesels, but here is what I know. A diesel only needs two things to run, compression and fuel delivered at the correct time. I'm gonna assume compression is OK So I'm gonna assume fuel is the problem. He has replaced two soleniods, the Glow Plug soleniod, and the intake heater soleniod. Now my reasoning would have suggested that neither could be the problem, first the intake heat would only be required in colder weather. Also I have seen numerous diesels start without waiting on the glow plugs. (please correct me if I am wrong) After a few internet searches, it seems that the camshaft position sensor might be the problem. My question, does the camshaft position sensor determine if and when fuel is delivered to the motor? Is it possible to test this sensor without a scan tool?
Does it have a fuel rail where you can put on a guage to check fuel pressure? What year truck, im assuming its OBD II so a bad crank or cam sensor should throw a code.
I ask him last night (over the phone) if there was a way to check fuel pressure. Don't know yet. But thats is how I would start the diagnosis also. Its a 2002 Ford I wonder if there is a way to check the Cam Shaft Position Sensor, without a scan tool. He doesnt have access to one.
on initial start, alot of non-commercial diesel engines depend ALOT on glow plugs, so if there not functioning correctly that could also be a contributing factor, BUT if you use some ether to start it up, ind it stays running, you will know for sure its a glow plug problem. i dont know it this truck would have one or not, but some diesel engines have a thing called a "run solenoid" or "fuel solenoid" which is an electric push-pull solenoid that cuts fuel to shut the engine down, also something to think about...on the engines i have personally worked on that have one, it is a rather common problem.... then again i am a diesel mechanic in the world of big rigs, so my main exp. is working on GIANT inline 6 engines (truck) and little 2-3cyl aux power unit engines.
Definitely not a smudgepot tech, and I hope no one ever accuses me of that either. But, it does need a cam sensor to run. Very common failure. Another thing, if the rail pressure is too low, it won't start either. Need to make sure it is full of oil. Low oil in the high pressure pump will let the Injection Control Pressure (ICP) fall too low to start. Cranking RPM is important too. Good batteries are a must.
It was the Camshaft Position Sensor. Would have posted earlier, but I've been really busy, Thanks guys
