2007 C5 2.0 16v 138 HDI starting issues - air ingress in fuel?

[red_dwarfers]

Around this time of year my C5 gets a gradually more difficult to start due to the colder weather.
The battery is strong and the starter is quick to turn.
The engine fires really quickly, goes around for a second or two then stalls.
Sometimes if I hold the throttle pedal down it clears and is fine.

After this I have two choices, I continue turning over on the starter, it fires then stalls. Try again, fires and stalls and so on for about 5 times. I then open the bonnet and slowly squeeze the priming bulb, wait a couple of seconds, squeeze again and do this around 5 or 6 times. If I jump back in the car usually it catches and continues running with a bit of hesistation. Sometimes I have to repeat the bulb squeezing if it hasn't caught.

If I don't try a second time on the starter but go straight to the priming bulb, I run through the slow squeeze, wait a couple of seconds as described above for 5 or 6 times then it starts right away without ever having to go back to the bulb or really any hesitation in running.

When I've had this on the Xantia 1.9 and XM 2.1 it's been the leak off pipes and sometimes fuel lines.
On the C5, the clear fuel line between the filter and the pump, there is a small bubble that sits at the high point but that has always been there. No new bubbles...bubble through.
I have a new filter which I'm planning on fitting tomorrow just because.
It makes me think it's the leak off pipes and connectors. They aren't really damp but they are old and there is a bit of damp on the gearbox end one, however there is an oil breather hose and connector above it.

Any thoughts?

[admiral51]

Hi Kev

I know they are pretty bullet proof but could the primer bulb be at fault ?

Colin

[Gibbo2286]

I had to replace the primer bulb on mine, the problem is that Citroen don't supply just the bulb but the whole tank to filter pipe,

I replaced mine with an Ebay part but it needs a bit of effort to adapt it.

Just a tiny pin hole is enough to to let the fuel leak back and mess up the starting.

[petarc1971]

Maybe replacing the fuel filter will help, the problem can also go to the bulbs because there is a one-way valve in it. If replacing the fuel filter does not help then you should test the installation of fuel in the engine compartment - remove the plastic pipes and test them with a vacuum pump or put them under pressure and put them in a container with water and monitor for bubbles, taking care that the water does not reaches the pipe.

[red_dwarfers]

That's a good idea I never thought of that!
If the filter doesn't work I'll get a replacement priming bulb.