Zafira diesel problem

My 03 Zafira diesel wouldn't start this afternoon - I was visiting
family on the IoM and had parked for a couple of nights on their quite
steep drive, facing upwards. When I came to start up to go for the ferry
she wouldn't go - it seemed like no fuel - but I'd filled up before
heading up to Heysham for the ferry on Wednesday.
No warning lights etc came on - but there was a high pitched sound
coming from the engine compartment when I'd finished trying to turn her
over.
I rolled down the drive and onto the level road and tried again. After a
few minutes she trying she fired up and went. No repeat of the sound at
this time.
Ran okay to the port - kept her running while waiting to load, and she
went again this side and I came home on the M-way at normal top speed
without further incident.
Anyone any thoughts?

 

Look for the simple things first. See if you have water in your fuel. Try
draining the filter into a jar and see.

Mike

 

You may have a small air leak in the fuel system, possibly between the
filter and the pump. On the level, no problem, but when you set it on a
slope the system slowly drains back to the tank and fails to re-prime.
There should be a manual priming system to use if it happens again.

 

There is no prime pump - it just needs cranking over lots.
I would get the injector leak off pipes checked/changed as they do go hard
after a while. It is an easy repair and parts come to about £25 for pipe and
3 t pieces.An hour max to do.

 

In the handbook it threatens dire consequences if you run out of fuel.
In the end I did just crank her over until she went. With a ferry to
catch I'd not much option.

Thanks for all the advice.

Cheers

 

Fine, but get the seals and leak off pipes checked and possibly replaced so
it doesn't happen again. The seals are a known problem.

Cheers

D

 

Thanks - but what are the dire consequences of starting up after running
out of fuel?

 

The pipes are an easy repair but the seals cost a small fortune to do. If
you get the pipes changed and they find oil in them then the seals are
knackered if not then they should be fine.
It is easy to flatten the battery getting it to self bleed after it has run
out of fuel.

 

Sounds like the leak-off pipes need replacing.
Easy and cheap on a Vectra, dont know what access is like on the Zaffy.
If that does'nt fix it then the injector seals have failed.
Quote was £hearly £500 on my Vectra.
Kellerman