Peugeot 207 1.4 HDi S (2007) - Starting Problems

[NeilHIoW1970]

Hello All

First-time poster!

Just to ask if anyone has some advice regarding checks I can carry out on our 207 1.4 HDi. Here's the complete background:

Parked the car outside for a couple of days (in some very cold weather) to carry out a replacement of rear silencer exhaust mount and associated band strap. Before this, the car started and ran without any problem.

Completed the exhaust job and whether it was coincidence or not, it was very reluctant to start after this. It did finally fire up but was running very rough and kept stalling. After driving it for about 100 yards, it completely cut out and I've not been able to start it since.

I've ensured there is sufficient fuel in the tank and have checked all relevant fuses in the engine and dashboard compartment and they're all fine. The battery seems to have plenty of power and the car is cranking well so I'm assuming the starter motor is fine too. There haven't been any warning lights on the dashboard to indicate an issue. Alternator belt is tensioned well and in good condition; we've had no issues relating to poor charging.

I'm starting to suspect an issue with the fuel system but so far the only thing I have checked is the fuel primer bulb but due to inexperience in these matters, I'm not sure if all is well at that point; the bulb seemed easy to squeeze but did return to its original shape; I was expecting it to be very hard but that certainly isn't the case.

So that's where I am at present and I'd welcome any advice regarding things I could check or take apart to get to the bottom of the problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice and hope to hear back in due course!

Neil

PS Mileage is about 140K.

[Dekzion]

Hey Neil,
Mines a 106 diesel, when I've had to use the primer it went hard once the air was out of the injectors and tightened up. Might be a cracked fuel line before the bulb pulling in air?

[NeilHIoW1970]

Hi Dekzion

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. That makes a lot of sense and I am definitely suspecting an air issue in the line leading up to the bulb. I'll be having a look at all that very shortly. Thanks again.

Neil

[RichardW]

You really need to get it on a diagnostic computer, and check what it can and can't see. It's need to be able to see the engine cranking, cam and crank in synch, and fuel pressure above 180 bar before it will start. It would be worth popping the cambelt cover off and checking it hasn't broken / stripped... you may be able to see this by looking in the oil filler and checking that the cam is rotating when the engine is cranked.

[NeilHIoW1970]

Hi Richard

Thanks for the reply and advice.

I borrowed a diagnosis unit from my mate and it showed up the P1351 fault which is pointing to the glow plug module / relay or glow plugs. However, I think this could be a red herring as I understand that due to the normal ambient temperature, starting wouldn’t be reliant on the glow plugs and I believe the issue lies with air in the system.

I’ve taken out the battery, battery box and air filter box to have a proper look at the fuel pipe harness and there is some evidence of wear and tear so so think I need to find a way to bypass this harness and get some fuel into the system? Have attached some photos for reference.

I will definitely carry out the checks you mentioned once I’ve put the battery back in and can crank the engine.

Thanks.

Neil

[RichardW]

I doubt those fuel lines are causing any issue, there's no evidence of leakage. P1351 is a very common error but won't stop it starting. Do the visual check on the cambelt first, then get it on the scanner for live data.

Whereabouts on IOW? I was brought up there...!

[Huskyxantia]

Primer bulbs on the 207 are like plastic i had to replace mine with the think runner type of yours is the bulb get the rubber type problem will be sorted. If your still having problems after check the fuel tank overflow pipe they tend to get water in them from hard rain and parking in a way the water can get into the filler cap gap . Injectors will chuff if there problem so that would need new copper washers on the ends . Check every fuel line for small cracks as we know cold weather will shrink things then the problems start.

[NeilHIoW1970]

I doubt those fuel lines are causing any issue, there's no evidence of leakage. P1351 is a very common error but won't stop it starting. Do the visual check on the cambelt first, then get it on the scanner for live data.

Whereabouts on IOW? I was brought up there...!

Thanks Richard.

I'll do the checks as you suggest and will post back on the forum in the coming days.

Born in Newport, brought up in East Cowes and now living in St Helens; proper Islander with webbed feet and six toes on each foot Whereabouts did you live?

[NeilHIoW1970]

Primer bulbs on the 207 are like plastic i had to replace mine with the think runner type of yours is the bulb get the rubber type problem will be sorted. If your still having problems after check the fuel tank overflow pipe they tend to get water in them from hard rain and parking in a way the water can get into the filler cap gap . Injectors will chuff if there problem so that would need new copper washers on the ends . Check every fuel line for small cracks as we know cold weather will shrink things then the problems start.

Hi Huskyxantia

Thanks for the reply and advice. I'll have a look at those suggestions when I work on the car again in the coming days.

Cheers.

Neil

[Huskyxantia]

Your welcome , good luck too.

[RichardW]

Born in Newport, brought up in East Cowes and now living in St Helens; proper Islander with webbed feet and six toes on each foot Whereabouts did you live?

We lived in Chillerton - blink-and-you-miss it village!

[delibra]

Have you done any recent fuel filter change?
My car didn't start anymore because, on the fuel filter casing, you have to secure a certain black fuel line. But I've mixed up the screws and I went deeper ( cracking the case therefore the pressure was expelling from that crack ) and the pressure was jot building anymore inside the line.
Check that, you never know