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No problem, Faddy. We're all here to share kmowledge and learn from each other. In terms of diagnosing this troublesome engine I'd suggest doing things in the following order based upon ease of testing. Firstly a code read and examination of the fuel system data (pressures, injector durations...

Yes, Jon, we are in danger of straying off topic and delving deep into the subtleties of common rail systems. To answer your question the ideal is to have the manufacturers leak off figures. However, in practice, it's usually blatantly obvious that one injector is returning a lot more than the...

Dave and Faddy, my fault for not explaining what a leak off test is. A common rail injector is supplied with more fuel than it actually injects. The excess is used to equalise pressures either side of the injector pintle and lubricate the moving mechanical parts. It's then returned to either...

Faddy, the two tests I mentioned are in addition to what HDS will show you. The leak off test measures the amount of fuel being returned by the injectors and is done using a cheap piece of kit (basically 4 bottles,a holder and some tubing). Very useful for picking up injector problems that don't...

Faddy's suggestion is probably the best. Modern diesels are too complex for "poke and hope" diagnostics. The problem you have could be a symptom of many things and although the dealer has said various things are OK (whatever that means!) I have no faith in their diagnostic abilities. Faddy - do...

I'm sorry to say this but I think they are clueless! They say "it seems to turn over slowly". If they've had it on the diag machine this will tell them the cranking rpm which they can then compare with the specification - no need for any guesswork. That said if it is turning over too slowly...

Sounds to me like they're now into changing things in the hope it'll cure the problem. The annoying thing is that a competent technician with the right tools could diagnose this properly within a couple of hours. Alan

Faddy, you've confused me - easy enough to do. I understand what you're saying about the glow plug system but why would that cause the failure to start on the first try followed by success on the second? I'm not saying you're wrong. It's just that I don't understand. Alan

That's very disappointing news. There is one thing in this saga that I cannot really get my head round and that is why does it start on the second attempt? If it was a dodgy battery why would that be so because the battery would surely be weaker on the second attempt? That said, I'm not saying...

This whole area of additives and treatments is a minefield. I can't comment on the Terraclean system as I have no knowledge of it. Some things do work, for example BG244 when used properly. If you want to see a demonstration of this go to the Autoinform website -...

In a diesel engine the oil does go black quickly. It's a totally different thing from black sludge. Stick to your oil change regime and you'll be fine. Alan

That's good to hear. Thanks for reporting the outcome - it helps to build up the knowledgebase. Alan

Obviously this needs to be diagnosed properly because it could be many things, some serious others not. White smoke suggests to me unburnt diesel in the exhaust gases. Hopefully it's just popped the hose from the turbo to the inlet manifold. Alan

At that price it's hardly worth getting your hands dirty changing it yourself. I hope I didn't scare you off with my warnings. That certainly wasn't my intention. Alan

You're far from the only one to re-use the pipes, Jon. I will confess to having done so myself and I know many garages don't bother. As I've said, I don't know whether Honda insist on it or not. On the subject of pressures they do vary with engine speed and accelerator position. At idle they're...

Thinking about it there are three specific additional points I should mention :- I've not done any work on the HP side of the Honda system but on systems I have worked on the car manufacturers insist that any HP pipework removed must not be re-used but should be replaced with new component(s)...

The critical thing to remember is that from the outlet side of the pump onwards everything is under very high pressure. The danger is from small leaks which may well be invisible to the naked eye. Funnily enough big leaks tend not be dangerous because these pumps, whilst producing high pressure...

You'll inevitably get air in the system but that's not a big issue. After all it happens when the fuel filter is changed. I'm pleased to see your f-i-l was a mechanic as that will help. I presume he's up to speed on the precautions for working on common rail systems? There are things you could...

Well, it was a question worth asking. Turning to the symptoms I'd say they are compatible with a worn but not knackered pump (car misfuelled at some point?). The ECU will not fire the injectors until it sees a certain minimum pressure in the fuel rail. When you're using the starter the engine...

A very important question - was this bought privately or from a dealer? The reason for asking is that if it was from a dealer then it's the dealer's responsibility to put it right, at his expense. The Sale of Goods Act is your friend in these circumstances. Alan