It's all about the pressure
 
Recently we had 2 separate calls both ford Transit vehicles that had been recovered in non start.
 
Both garages are very capable in their diagnostic procedures. And went through the usual tests for the fault codes that had been retrieved for fuel pressure.
They tested the leak back flow from the injectors first then performed a scope trace on the fuel pressure sensor. This indicated no rise in rail pressure.
 
Both garages then decided to test the fuel volume valve for the correct signal. And both proved to be present and looking correct. A current trace was taken and this also was as expected. So they took the decision
to replace the volume valve but this did not solve the issue.
 
Then they decided to call us at the Helpline for help.
 
We suggested the low pressure fuel circuit be tested first. The filter housing failed the vacuum check and was contaminated with what looked like water. So they replaced the housing and filter as Ford  said this was a common issue.
 
Then with a Pico WPS500 pressure transducer the suction on the inlet to the pump was tested. And this proved up as 500mb vacuum was present on cranking the engine. This is what we expected so the lift pump was functioning correctly.
 
 
But still no rise in Fuel rail pressure.!
 
So the only thing left was the high pressure pump had failed. But in a very short time without any warning on a low mileage vehicle. And 2  vehicles with exactly the same symptoms  at the same time same geographical area... Very suspicious. And both garages did not want to risk new pumps  without a defined answer why. 
 
So we decided to ask for a very simple test on the fuel. Even as the garages had decided the smell of the fuel was like Diesel...
 
We asked if they could test the specific Gravity of the fuel they had in the vehicle. After ordering a hydrometer with a range for Diesel fuel  with a range of 0.70 to 1.0 the fuel was tested.
 
The correct range we wanted was 0.82 to 0.88 for Diesel @16 deg C
 
The reading we got was 0.78 not far off but it proved to be Kerosene. And this was proof the pump had failed due to incorrect  fuel present.
 
A simple and inexpensive piece of equipment available online could save hours in diagnostic time. 
 
 
And a sample was tested with A Delphi Diesel fuel test tool proved conclusively by an independent consultant and the result  proved this fluid was not diesel fuel...
 
After a replacement pump and all the system cleaned thoroughly new fuel filter fitted. Both vehicles started instantly. 
 
Another success  to a difficult diagnosis. Proving yet again with the right tools and armed with good information all these problems can be solved.