another problem (loss of power)

TehAgent · Unread post by **TehAgent** » 14 Sep 2007, 20:28

Well, went out today, got as far as my local sainsbury's (about 1mile from home) and i lost all power to steering and the engine cut out on me.

At first i thought it was fuel as my fuel gauge (which is dodgy at best) was reading rather low.

After getting it started again i managed to get it to the garage and top it up with some diesel. thinking better of, i headed for home, on the way i tried putting my foot down, but all i got was a lot of engine revs but hardly any power.

After pulling up and popping the bonnet, i noticed that there was a lot of Air ingress between the fuel filter and the fuel pump. so i thought that it might be a problem with the fuel filter being clogged as I've been running the car on 100% veg for the last 5 months or so.

grabbing my Allen keys, i undid the fuel filter lid and popped the filter out. it looked fine?

So i gave it a clean in white spirit anyway and threw it back in and tightened it back up, car starts OK, but I'm still getting a lot of air in the system. the car isn't miss firing but its definitely not getting enough fuel into the engine for higher revs.

I have a feeling the pump is pulling air into the system from the inlet pipe on the fuel filter. or am i completely off in the wrong direction?

if not i think i might have to get rid of the car as all I've done so far is fix things that bugger up on it.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 14 Sep 2007, 21:41

Didn't you recently have some fuel pump work carried out? If so, it may just be a loose or split fuel line. Don't despair, I'm sure it won't seem so bad in morning. Good luck.

SimonT · Unread post by **SimonT** » 14 Sep 2007, 22:43

Hiya. I'd look for a split in the fuel line BEFORE the priming pump. Mine went at a real awkward spot where it changes from solid fuel line to rubber. I'll try and explain where it was.
Looking from the front of the car......
On the left hand side follow the rubber fuel line before the priming pump, down past the cambelt cover area towards the side of the wheel arch area. You'll need a torch as it's pretty black down there.
Mine had a spilt on the solid to flexible coupler area. It was accessible by taking off the road wheel to fix it.
Might not be there exactly but sounds pretty damn familiar!
Good luck.

TehAgent · Unread post by **TehAgent** » 15 Sep 2007, 16:02

this car just seems to keep springing fuel leaks, i have one on the fuel filter housing coming from what looks like a tiny stop valve (small white and turns)

Being as its leaking fuel here, id say its also getting air into the system from there too,

Its basically crippled my car as i cant drive it more than 300 meters with out too much air getting into the system and the engine stopping.

Oh well

Anyone want a Xantia? 125k on the clock would do as a nice project car taxed till November mot'ed till may. is a good runner when its working right. will need the fuel pump replaced with my old one to get the keypad working again. as the one that's on need to go back to Jim, Aircon will need sorting out as the pump isn't connected, and the blower needs that mod to get it working again, make me a offer if interested, or if you need parts will do you good. as this isnt in the right location on the forum, PM only.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 16 Sep 2007, 08:52

Ian,

You have a PM

Not to offer to buy but to fix it

TehAgent · Unread post by **TehAgent** » 16 Sep 2007, 15:29

Yay car is now working thanks to Jim and his ability to fix the darn thing.

Total cost £2 for the fuel filter housing from a nice 405 at the scrappers and a cuppa tea.

Seems that there is something stiffening my O-Rings along my fuel line, yet i know its not the veg, as the fuel pump was leaking before i started using veg, and i had air ingress before too, but not as bad as it got.

It even starts like it should with just half a turn now instead of the 1 and a half turns that it used to take.

So again, thank you to Jim for the help. was nice to see you again.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 16 Sep 2007, 17:49

And great to see you and Tes again Ian

I stall can't recall what it was I wanted from the scrappie but I'll soon remember and then recall we walked past whatever it was I wanted today

Don't forget to swap the fuel filter and the O ring under the filter housing as soon as you can Ian