[Curlyben]

So, an odd one for you to mull over.
2010 2l diesel, recent major service including fuel filter.
Very low mileage for year, been meticulously maintained and serviced.
Always starts on the button, but occasionally it will die as if run out of fuel, even though there is plenty available.
On these occasions the codes indicate low fuel pressure.
The only thing that makes any sense is this tends to happen when the car is facing UP the hill outside of the house, doesn't happen if facing down hill. It's not a particularly steep hill, but enough for the Hill Assist to come into play.

It's almost as if it's just used the fuel standing in the pipe before anymore has been pumped up, as if the effect of the hill has allowed it to flow back to the tank. Not sure that makes any sense, but that what it feels like.

I've taken it back to my garage that did the service, they have investigated, but, due to the nature of the fault, have come up empty handed.

Any ideas ?

 

[riikomi]

Sounds like an air problem. Especially since the fuel filter has been replaced. These cars (2.0L TDCi) are known to have air leaks in the filter cap/housing (a tiny crack).

 

[Curlyben]

Sounds along the lines that I'm already thinking.
Guessing it wouldn't be visible to the eye though, hence the garage not finding anything.

 

[BlakeS94]

Sounds to me like garage didnt bleed air from it properly, especially because it just had a filter change and will log a low fuel pressure code while trying to start after fuel filter is done anyway.

They're a pita to bleed air through after a filter change, fuel filter is located low down near the fuel tank, have someone look at the clear section of tube going into high pressure pump for air. I recently changed the fuel filter in my 2010 2.0tdci and it took ages to bleed with a hand priming bulb hooked up to return fuel pipe. Repeatedly died before properly got it going, id check fuel fittings if you can, especially return pipe (red clip) and the pipes going to the fuel filter underneath as some choose to remove these pipes instead of draining at the filter

I've circled the return hose where it's usually bled of air and the clear pipe to see if any air is going into high pressure pump.

 

[Curlyben]

@BlakeS94 , liking your thinking and that was my initial thought, however, this has happened 5 times now occasionally.
The service was over a month, nearly 6 weeks ago and the first instances was about 10 days after.
Once it's running, it's sweet as ever, it's just that starting minute or so, as it feels like it's using that small amount in the filter to engine pipe.
There's no obvious fuel leaks either.

 

[Grumpyaxeswinger]

If your car has an electric pump in the tank there could be an intermittent fault with the pump or a bad connection. I'm sure someone can confirm if your car has a lift pump or not. More likely to be a bad connection if there's an electric pump fitted as pumps tend to work or they don't.

 

[BlakeS94]

If your car has an electric pump in the tank there could be an intermittent fault with the pump or a bad connection. I'm sure someone can confirm if your car has a lift pump or not. More likely to be a bad connection if there's an electric pump fitted as pumps tend to work or they don't.

It does not have an electric pump, I am 100% sure there is no in-tank electric pump on MK4 diesels.

 

[Curlyben]

Well, moved the car this morning and it does look like there has been a slight leak from the filter area.
Spoke with garage and they've agreed to fit a complete filter that I source for half price on the labour.
So all good, quite happy with that.