Opel Movano A 2.5 CDTI will not start due to low fuel pressure

If the Movano cranks but will not start, and the engine runs on starting fluid only for as long as the spray is supplied, the fault lies entirely in the fuel delivery system. One design detail is crucial for directing the diagnosis: these Renault and Opel vans do not have an electric fuel pump in the tank. Fuel is drawn by the transfer stage built into the high-pressure pump, assisted by a rubber priming bulb in the fuel line. There is therefore no point looking for a fault in the tank or replacing a passenger-car-style "fuel pump".

Where should diagnosis begin?

Air entering the system is the most common cause. Two areas account for the vast majority of cases: the fuel-filter housing and the injector leak-off pipes, whose plastic connectors and seals harden with age and begin drawing in air. Typical signs are a soft priming bulb, visible bubbles in the line and pressure that appears briefly when the key is turned before immediately disappearing. Follow this sequence: replace the fuel filter together with its seals, check the leak-off pipes for leaks, then prime and bleed the system with the bulb. Only if this does not help and the system is airtight should the high-pressure fuel pump be suspected. Also inspect the condition and connections of the wiring for injectors 1 and 4. Corroded connectors at the control unit can produce identical no-start symptoms without storing any fault codes.