I have had an eventful last few days that have kept me busy and none of problems have been remotley car related
that makes a change
Anyway,
From my original post I had a PM from Mark saying I could feel free to ring him if I liked.
So, I did and I dont know how he did it but he asked me some questions about this particular system, that I tried my best to answer. If I got the answer wrong, Mark proceeded to ask me the same question in a different manor until I eventually got to the correct answer.
At the end of the phone call I knew where the flaws were in my test plan and in my head i was slowly building a new one. He was that inspiring that I almost felt I could before long, put a sign up saying 'common rail deisel diagnostic specialist'
seriously though GREAT guy cheers Mark.
NEW TEST PLAN.
Quantity of fuel
Quality of fuel
Test low pressure side of fuel(suppy)
Then and only then move on to the high pressure side of fuel system(including ECU control)
I went into work with confidence and checked the quantity of fuel, gauge said 2 bars and as seen as the car was running(although rough) I belivied it.
Then I took a sample of the fuel to check the quality............ PETROL
As you can see this car fell at the 2nd hurdle.
I was over the moon but also little a bit gutted because I felt this problem wasn't going to give me the slip either way with my (until proven wrong)full proof test plan.
I took the tank down and cleaned it out.
Changed the fuel filter and flushed low pressure fuel lines out with diesel.
Refilled tank with diesel.
The customer asked me to leave the EGR valve and clean it out the best I could and he is going to trade the car in due to the possibly battered fuel system.(he is very happy with the outcome)
I have learnt that along with system knowledge and a logical approach any problem can be found.
Cheers Steve Kefford and well done
You were absloutely correct about the approach to diagnosing the problem with this car, also including your theorys about the vapour in the leak of bottles. Thanks.
Tony Sefton what a brilliant evaluation of the job presented to me. I must admit I saw the challenge and the oppertunity to learn without any thought of loosing time or money on this job. Your post seriously grounded me and made me reevaluate the customers (and mine) best interests. With the help of the new test plan I felt that I could really evaluate the job and act accordingly.
Not Mr pessimistic. Mr realistic I say. Thanks
Dave Hill I couldnt agree more with your views on taking jobs on that we are prepared to loose time/money to learn as I believe this is what us techs do everyday. All that we can hope is that we can learn enough to save time and make money on the next job that presents it self. I may be proved so very wrong over the next few years!
Thanks to everyone who replied I feel my diagnostic approach/career has changed forever.
Thanks again
James
