Phase 1 Xantia 1.9D not running well at all. :-S

[reanimation]

Hi All, You've been great previously but I'm wondering if I'm now running out of luck using a 20 year old frenchie as a daily!!
It N/A 1.9D done 150k Miles

Replaced a few bits recently but at present it's running rough especially cold of course however...

I replaced the oil and filter a month or so ago, it was possibly slightly overdue and knowing winter was coming I got it done.
Air filter replaced.

I noticed another leak, diesel coming from the Lucas pump. So last week a diesel specialist in Stockport fixed it with a stripdown clean and new seals (i expect).

Leak free, it was still running rough driving back.

On Saturday I fitted the fuel filter I'd been putting off, I followed Haynes Book method and It started fine and drove round the block. Maybe this was overdue the 500ml of Diesel did look a bit murky and the old filter dirty at the bottom. It can only be a good thing and I really tried to bleed enough so no air was trapped.

I've had some injection cleaner in the tank from last refil, Millers brand.

So Yesterday went out locally and still rough and at one point on a straight, ended up with no power at all, slowly turned corner and cut out. Started up again and it got us home with care. Drove in today but being super super cold this morning it was the first time it's really struggled to start. Took several attempts. Finally got going and made it in it was lumpy though and cut out once at the first junction.

Where am I going wrong? is it doomed!?

Thanks.

[citronut]

the first thing i would check/replace is the glow plugs, well for the bad starting at least,

did it run rough before the diesel fitter sorted the leaky pump?????

nout wrong using a 20 odd year old car as a daily drive, my BX TZD is 22 years old and still going strong

[RichardW]

Whip the in tank gauge / pick up out and have a look at it - there may well be a filter on the pickup that is gunged up.

[reanimation]

Thanks! Good idea I've never changed glow plugs. Easy to do? Not looked in HBol yet.
In tank thingie is a new one on me, something to also look for....

Yes its been a little rough for a while, thought all of these things were cause or part cause so I suppose you get more sensitive to the fault after each job. Plus its been getting colder too.

[reanimation]

Oh dear...
Well I went out last night and a reasonable 2x 6 mile run for the city, and even though not perfect it wasnt bad just a bit strangled on power.

This morning, 1 degrees? It started reluctantly but better. I was warming up ready to go reversed to turn round, and stall! After that would not start, chug chug then just turning over so safe to say it's hating the cold at present. Perhaps flooded with cold fuel now.
Fun nursery and work run on the busses! See if it starts later on... Will have a chat top my friendly mechanic...

[Hell Razor5543]

Definitely check the fuel tank pickup. There are microbes that thrive in diesel, and over time they clog the fuel pickup. There are photos of this on the forum. Apparently it is a good idea to do this with a tank that is low on fuel, as it can be a messy job.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 0&p=279995" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[reanimation]

urrrrgh! haha! :S Right this is worth a look then, makes sense with the diesel being thicker when cold.

Theres prob 25 or 30 litres in there at present.

[Hell Razor5543]

I haven't (yet) had to do this, but from what I can remember (from this on the forum) you need to be careful of the plastic locking ring (apparently somebody has the dimensions to make a wooden spanner!), and of dropping the wires out of view. I would suggest that, before unplugging them, you tie a length of string to the wires and then to something secure.

[Northern_Mike]

Sounds like it's drawing air in to me. Check all the fuel lines for cracks and perishing. Try pumping the rubber primer bulb until it's hard to see if this makes a difference before you start it or when it's running badly.

[reanimation]

Thanks, thats another great suggestion to look at.

[reanimation]

Had my local (neighbours) garage look at it. they can find no issue other than probably the pump, they could fit a new one or go back to Wilkinsons Diesel centre. Looks like I might be going back to Wilkinsons Diesel Centre for them to look at it. Could still be tank too I guess.

Could get expensive though by the sound of it!

[Northern_Mike]

Where are you based?

[reanimation]

Manchester. Easterly.

[Stewart(oily)]

Sounds like air is getting in somewhere, once going these engines usually just run.

[evilally]

Yes, sounds like air ingress. Buy a piece of transparent fuel hose, and install it between the pump and filter. Bleed the system, and rev the engine whilst watching for air bubbles. If there is, you can then install transparent hose elsewhere in the fuel system until you isolate the component letting in air, there are lots of places it can get in especially as the rubber hoses get old and start to turn brittle. If you have no air going into the pump, it's also worth installing it on the return line. If you find air on the return but not the inlet, then the pump itself could be leaking, or one of the injector leak off pipes.