Dde Light And Starting Problems

[320Dowsey]

Hello, I have owned my e46 53 plate 320d for 13 months now it has 162k on the clock it's had a full engine rebuild with the swirl flaps removed, 3 new pistons, need turbo new clutch new dual mass flywheel the lot. Last thursday i was going up a slight incline with 34 miles left in the fuel tank when the DDE light came on on the dash its then went into limp mode and i made to pull over in a safe place as is cut out. I then went to start it again and it turns over but just won't spark instead of coming straight to the forum i read up on this and troubleshooted. i started by take the pipe off the fuel fuilter to see if it was pumping through the filter ok and to see if the pump works and it does so then i changed the relay for the pre diesel supply pump behind the glovebox with the horn relay (same part) and that didnt change anything. So now 8I'm leading towards the pressure regulator on the end of the rail. They retail at 130+ VAT trade at my local parts dealer.

So heres where the help of the forum comes in before i part with that money to find it isn't that i'm looking for anymore tests i can do or any other things it could be a could check before changing it. I have software on the way to read and clear codes and i have had some already which mentions fuel rail pressure being a problem.

[Y13HYA]

Could be the fuel pressure rail, or even the pre supply pump (in line pump under the car)

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Could've dragged a touch of air into the fuel-system, bob some juice in (yer tight git) and do a full bleed...

[320Dowsey]

Put 10L in and some easy start and after struggling and pressing the throttle down with ignition on n off it chugged some black smoke out struggled idling for abit so i held at 2000rpm for afew minutes took it round the block and touch wood it seems ok so far