C5 X7 no start (or only runs for fraction of a second)

[Paul-R]

Smoke? What smoke?

[CitroJim]

Smoke? What smoke?

It was just clearing its throat Paul And enjoying an 'Italian Tuneup'

[MattBLancs]

... of the thing nearly running, nearly running, nearly, brummmmmmm = I could watch that all day!


Not sure if that links to the moment in question, but 17:44 if not!

Ha ha, she's a rotter One good sneeze away from blowing the bloody doors off

Oh absolutely, has the look of a Scottish Registration, eh Jim!

[MattBLancs]

Rang the garage, it's behaved for them yesterday and today.

Better still:

Gov MOT checker

Pick it up tomorrow morning then straight into a 90-odd mile trip up to Cumbria, back down again Thursday.

(Yes I'll take the towing bar with me just in case!)

[moizeau]

That video reminds of a Landrover show I did back in 2000ish. There was a bloke selling an old RR V8 rolling chassis that had an engine, gearbox and a few wires. He was asked if it ran, he said 'not for a few years'. 'I'll buy it ' said the chap....'if it runs'. 'It'll go, no worries' said the chap. They tethered it to the back and a Landy and dragged it round the showgound, with long jump leads to give it some juice. They went out of site then came back a few minutes later. The rolling chassis was towing the Landy

[CitroJim]

has the look of a Scottish Registration, eh Jim!

Yes!

Excellent news on the MoT Matt

She'll be fine on the trip Taking the towing bar as a precaution will guarantee you'll have no issues whatsoever!

[MattBLancs]

Yes, it made it up to Cumbria without issue.



Well, almost!

Got on the motorway and passenger side windscreen trim decided to announce failure of its adhesive by dancing on and off the screen!

A gentle removal in the services took this off and into the car.



Then, about 50 miles later another big surprise, went to clear the screen and saw driver's side wiper fly off, up the screen over the car and away!

Only about 6 months old (and next to no miles covered given the fun I've had with it) so more that a touch disappointing with that eBay purchase.

Off to the nearest Eurocarparts branch tomorrow morning on my way home. So long as don't live up to their "Eurowrongparts" reputation!

[bobins]

I believe that windscreen trim was an early recall on these. Can't imagine Citroen would be interested in honouring the recall now though

[MattBLancs]

Does anybody know at what temperature "Summer Diesel" becomes a problem for starting?

Winter diesel has a lower viscosity and a greater resistance to gelling in low temperatures (-12oC CFPP min), making it better suited to use in the cold winter months.

In contrast, summer diesel’s higher viscosity makes it less resistant to gelling in cold temperatures (-4oC CFPP min), and sees far higher use in the warm summer months

https://www.nationwidefuels.co.uk/oil-g ... er-winter/

Not my issue sadly as been battling this since it was much warmer!

Fingers crossed this isn't about to bite me in the backside! Google says is -7°C at present (and 3/4s of a tank of summer diesel sat out there)


Have experienced filter clogged on an XUD (running on biodiesel and a sudden cold snap) = gave an engine with no power that wouldn't rev past 3500 rpm,. Then not past 2500rpm ..... Then 2000 ... Then 1500 then finally had to give up at side of the road!


If it'll get me home today I've time to pump some into cans again then take it for a refill. Will dump the cans back in the tank again in the spring.

If it'll get me home

[Dormouse]

Get it started (fingers crossed) then add any kind of winter diesel additive you can lay your hands on before you set off.
One of my famous Uncles covered his engine with three Army Blankets overnight with one corner peaking out of the bonnet at the driver's side to remind him they were there. It was a Viva HC so plenty of room to tuck the blankets in! Petrol, I know, but I do know a Farmer who uses a couple of old Duvets to cover his Land Rover Diesel Engine for that very reason. He reckons that if the engine isn't started every day you are wasting your time as the chill just keeps seeping in over time and you need heat to try and store in the first place. His Tractor has a heated fuel system and never fails to start even on the top of the Grampians near Braemar.

So the trick is - keep as much residual heat in the engine compartment as possible and regular start ups.

[MattBLancs]

Sorry for lack of update, a busy day.

Started fine, a little lumpy for a couple of seconds: it has a glow plug code and it was cold enough for their lack of function to have an effect. Car reckoned -3°C Vs Google on the phone saying -7°C. Idle soon settled. Deiced the car, grabbed breakfast.

Ran fine on the way up to Eurocarparts branch. Wiper fitted (valeo item: seems good, though very long! Is about 15mm from the very edge of the glass at top of its stroke - so is keeping the bit with the black backing clear too, seems wrong, but doesn't clash with the other so will leave it be)

Then ran fine about 100 miles home.

My smooth, quiet and swift cruiser has returned

[Dormouse]

Well done. I would be inclined to go with the car temp reading.

[MattBLancs]

Definitely, was surprised at the -7°C prediction from Google as it's fairly near the coast too.

Back in Leyland have been optimistic previously "it's -3°C" was actually -5°

Next on the job list are:

• Refit the (engine mount cooling duct and) engine undertray.

• get a towbar wiring kit selected and ordered, then can finally get trailer back in service

• take driver's door lining off: tighten the mirror mount/ investigate why it has a slight wobble! Find the source of the rattle/ creak? Inside the door

• another new tyre and see what the tyre pressure monitor system thinks about swapping the wheels about / see if can source an "exciter" apparently needed to mess with this system

The MFD worked perfectly with a freezing cold car interior, had about 20 minutes of lovely functionality untill the cabin heat got through to it and a illegible black mess returned. I know "just buy a new one" is the answer, it just niggles me that it's perfectly serviceable, so long as the car remains stone cold inside.

[Doo]

Speaking of cold starts, it was negative 6 according to the car a few nights back and all cars absolutely ten feet thick with ice.... Well, millimetres anyway

I went around all the cars with the hot air gun and deiced them all. The Lingo hadn't been used for a few days and I figured I'll see a glow plug light, but nope! Mind you, I decided to help it along by placing the hot air gun near the intake pipe and let rip. I gave it 20 odd seconds and started the engine. The result of it sucking in hot air was noticeable. The usual cold start diesel crack was replaced with a nice quiet idle. I left it for a few minutes while I messed around and then gave it a rev every few minutes to keep the EGR happy.

Took the Range Rover out and my friend & I went to fetch farm shop items along the untreated shore road. The air suspension is bliss and the heater in this car is proper V8 hot

Both the Rover and the Lingo are fully shod in winter tyres. The Lingo tends to slip a little under hard acceleration, but kept in check with the anti spin whereas the Range Rover can be floored and it just pulls you forward in a gut wrenching "yeeet" as the big V8 powers all four wheels with a shed load of torque

Wife hasn't got (despite my "suggestions" she should ) snow tyres and has managed to tiptoe through the snow covered drive, cul de sac and parts of the shore road still glistening She's a canny driver

I "DOO" ,love this weather

[MattBLancs]

Earlier today, I thought about drawing a line under this thread and calling it "problem solved".

That would have been premature.

Just got home, am livid with the damn thing at present, so details fairly scant for the moment and will return calm and collected in the morning.

Short version:
Started at home, fine.
Drove for 20 minutes, all fine.

Parked up and attempted to locate my sister in the pouring rain in town centre car park (say 3 minutes?)

Return to car, won't start: cough and die, cough and die, cough and die.

Towing bar still in boot, dad (in C4 Picasso space Tourer thingy) close enough to come to rescue.

Bump start: say 15 mph, second gear = Brum. Running again.

Drove home, nothing untoward I could detect.


On way back turned engine off briefly, coasting, about 40mph on deserted section. Still coasting: Restarted on key = fine. Suggests starter does turn it quick enough.

Incidentally, doing that gave power steering a major fright and triggered "power steering faulty!" And then no assistance at all. Slowed at next lights and it sorted itself and assistance returned.