A diesel is self-sustaining, but new commonrail turbodiesels are very dependent on sensors and what not to ideally time the injection. Cutting the cam sensor is what they told me when I asked at the Peugeot forum. I'm thinking (this is just guessing) that the cam sensor is needed when starting to know what position the pistons and vavles are, later it's just automatic. If the cam sensor dies during operation, then the calculator can use the crankshaft sensor's input. This afternoon I found what I think is the crankshaft sensor, but pulling it neither prevents the engine from starting, nor kills it if it's already working. I didn't try pulling both the crankshaft and the cam sensor at the same time, so I don't know if that would work.
Re fuel pump: I read somewhere in this forum that there is enough pressure in the fuel lines between the pump and injectors that the engine could go another 2 blocks before running out of fuel. Also, I'm not sure how the injector timing and combustion would be upset with lower pressure (more smog?). I know some have been lucky with killing the injectors, but that's not something I would try in my engine. I'd try if I were planning an engine swap in the near future.
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Originally Posted by Nerys
Interesting. How do you "restart" a diesel ie how long do you have to wait for the glows to rewarm?
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The glow plugs are needed only for cold starts. In fact, mine only turn on when it's way below freezing (<-10*C). If the engine has been on for at least half a minute, then there is enough heat in the cylinder walls to allow a start without glows, even in cold weather.