Engine cranks but doesn't start

c4akias · Unread post by **c4akias** » 30 Oct 2022, 10:21

Hello guys, I have a problem with my c4 2.0vts. It has been 2 years now that I wasn't using it. So a week ago I bought a brand new battery to take it for a ride. First problem that I found out was that the fuel pump was dead checked fuses and everything, even connected it directly from the battery but still dead, so I bought a new one and it was working. Now the problem is that the car still not working for some reason. I connected it with diagbox and I got the following errors.

Thank you very much in advance

admiral51 · Unread post by **admiral51** » 30 Oct 2022, 13:18

Hi
Have you tried the BSI reset procedure
It shows a wake up fault so worth a shot as it costs nothing but 30 minutes of your time.

Colin

c4akias · Unread post by **c4akias** » 30 Oct 2022, 14:18

Thank you Colin
just tried it but still the same, is there anything else I could try?

wheeler · Unread post by **wheeler** » 30 Oct 2022, 14:24

So is the fuel pump working now or not?
Is there actually fuel in the tank? (Dont trust the gauge)
Are you getting a spark? Can you see engine RPM go up on live data when cranking?

c4akias · Unread post by **c4akias** » 30 Oct 2022, 14:29

The fuel pump is working. And there is fuel in the tank, only thing I havent seen is if Im getting a spark. Ill check also the rpm as you said and update soon
Thank you as well for your help. What i also saw was that it tries to start for a second but then it stops

admiral51 · Unread post by **admiral51** » 30 Oct 2022, 15:16

Darn just realised it is a petrol engine.
How old is the fuel in the tank from memory petrol degrades over time ?

c4akias · Unread post by **c4akias** » 30 Oct 2022, 17:02

it has to be 2 years inside the tank

admiral51 · Unread post by **admiral51** » 30 Oct 2022, 17:10

Just thinking it may have degraded over time and not be upto spec.
You say it tries to start so guess it fires for a nano second then stops so maybe worth trying new fuel from a separate source direct to the pump or draining the tank and putting in new.
Safety first but just an option for you

Colin

c4akias · Unread post by **c4akias** » 30 Oct 2022, 17:15

Ill try this as well thank you very much for your help Colin

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 30 Oct 2022, 18:29

Two-year old petrol should be OK to at least start it... The petrol in my AX was at least that old when we found the reason she wouldn't initially start and she fired right up...

I also know of a car sitting for four years that started with no difficulty and ran fine...

Maybe in Greece the heat may cause quicker degradation but not to the extend that it might not even try to start...

A 'sniff test' can determine if the petrol might be at fault. Stale petrol has a distinct objectionable smell that makes it smell completely unlike fresh petrol...

If the petrol has gone 'off' it may have clogged the fuel filter. Maybe worth a check if still no start after confirming there's a good spark...

c4akias · Unread post by **c4akias** » 30 Oct 2022, 18:42

Thank you Jim for your reply. As for the filter as much as I know 2.0 180 VTS petrol models do not have a replaceable fuel filter. There is a 'strainer' in the fuel tank which is a permanent part. To be honest when I changed the fuel pump the petrol had a distinct objectionable smell it wasn't smelling like fresh petrol. So tomorrow Ill drain the fuel from the fuel tank and then check if the engine has a good spark. Ill update as soon as I run the checks.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 30 Oct 2022, 18:48

c4akias wrote: 30 Oct 2022, 18:42 the petrol had a distinct objectionable smell it wasn't smelling like fresh petrol. So tomorrow Ill drain the fuel from the fuel tank and then check if the engine has a good spark. Ill update as soon as I run the checks.

Good plan

I'd be very surprised if it does not have replaceable fuel filter... Maybe Marc can advise with a quick look through the service documentation pertaining to your car...

Here's hoping a dose of fresh petrol will work

Do please let us know...

c4akias · Unread post by **c4akias** » 30 Oct 2022, 19:06

Actually my local Citroen workshop told me that there is no fuel filter on this model but to be honest I do not trust them so much.

wheeler · Unread post by **wheeler** » 31 Oct 2022, 06:02

It’s not uncommon for modern petrol engined PSA vehicles to have no replaceable fuel filter on them now except in countries with ‘dusty atmosphere’

c4akias · Unread post by **c4akias** » 06 Nov 2022, 11:27

Hello guys I just added some new petrol today and I removed spark plugs and also removed the fuel injectors. I took a video in order to see if there is any problem. What I saw was that there is fuel coming out of the injectors and also spark. But I need your opinion as well. Thank you guys once more for your valuable help.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rDFk3Jk1xWc

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Engine cranks but doesn't start

Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start

Re: Engine cranks but doesn't start