Q: Car start problems, diesel leak

asked by on September 01, 2016

I have a leak next to my left rear wheel in a pipe going to the diesel tank, and recently the car has been difficult to start. Sometimes it starts without any problems, sometimes I have to crank it a while for it to start, sometimes it shuts down after the first time I start it. And also, if I drive at 20-30 kmh, and give full throttle and get to 60-70kmh the car shuts down and it says "EPC Visit Workshop". But the message disappears when I reboot the car. I also recently changed diesel filter and gave the engine a quick wash. My thought is that when I give full throttle the fuel pump pumps diesel to the engine but drags air with it as well due to the leak that makes it shut down. You think I am correct?

My car has 139808 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

My vehicle makes a clunk while accelerating.
Hi there. If your SRX is a front wheel drive model then most of the time this is caused by a failing engine or transmission mount. When these fail the engine and transmission can move when accelerating causing this noise....
How do I release a locked seat belt?
If you move around in your seat, or try and put on your seat belt too quickly, the belt will sometimes lock. When this happens, you won’t be able to extend your seat belt at all. Releasing a locked seat...
Rough idling misfire & a thumping sound from the front of engine
Hello. It sounds like your cam timing (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/camshaft-position-sensor-replacement) may still be off or there may be another issue. I would typically do a compression test (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-do-a-compression-test-by-robert-tomashek) first. If the compression is low on only a couple of cylinders, then you...
How do I make my exhaust system sound more powerful? 1998 Dodge Stealth
There are many options on the market today that only a muffler replacement (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-replace-a-muffler-by-robert-tomashek) will improve the sound. You can go on some web sites and they will have sounds of the muffler (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-choose-the-right-muffler-for-your-car-by-brady-klopfer) they have for sale to give...
P0443
Hi there. A P0443 code will set when the evaporative emission system performs a self test and activates the purge valve to use engine vacuum to pull a vacuum on the tank for leak testing. When the engine computer does...
Car overheats and radiator fan will not come on
Hey there. This can be caused by a number of things such as low coolant levels (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/top-off-coolant), a faulty thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermostat-replacement), or a failing coolant fan switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermo-coolant-fan-switch-replacement). As you may know, the coolant fan switch helps to maintain the...
Annoying loud noise when starting the car.
The noise is the drive belt slipping on the pulleys on the engine. Check the tensioner (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/drive-belt-tensioner-replacement) to see if it feels loose and not tight. If the tensioner is loose, then I recommend replacing it. Also if the belt...
My truck had no oil and. I. Put oil now it's reading zero. Pressure can I drive home
Hello, thank you for writing in. If the oil is empty, then there is likely a severe oil leak and you are going to have more problems. Do not rely on the oil pressure gauge on your dash, as they...
A few weeks ago, my 2001 Honda Accord EX started overheating. I took it to my mechanic 2 days later and was told my coolant hose
Overheating can damage the cooling system thermostat which, in turn, will cause continued overheating. Consequently, testing and replacing the thermostat (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/thermostat-replacement) should be among the repairs to consider. The burst hose, that is the coolant leak you first observed, could...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
Think Think of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class as the two-door cousin of the S-Class lineup. Each vehicle in this class is a stylish, sexy coupe. What’s more – they all manage to combine incredible performance with svelte styling. They might...
How Long Does a Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Last?
The The engine’s performance is largely based on temperature measurements performed by the engine control module (ECM), also known as the vehicle’s computer. As the temperature of the engine increases, the resistance decreases which means the voltage drops. The computer...
How Long Does a Timing Chain Last?
A timing chain is a metal chain, as opposed to the timing belt which is made of rubber. The chain is located...