And so it goes on! Intermittent power loss and stalling

[MikeT]

I just cannot see how it can be intermittent and so why I believe electrics are involved. I really cannot for the life of me understand how air ingress can be intermittent although a clean total loss of power almost definitely points to fuel starvation.

The "intermittent" nature is likely due to the time it takes for sufficient air quantities to be drawn into critical parts of the fuel system, namely high-pressure valves which exist both in the pump and in the injector bodies themselves.
As air is compressible, the valves stop functioning and fuel delivery is halted. With the engine and fuel stopped, any trapped air is free to rise and bleed itself out of the pump, all ready for the next restart.

[old'uns]

never had an older Citroen but presumably the strainer is in tank at end of pickup pipe?

years ago bought an old J reg Isuzu trooper 5 days before hols to France, got down there OK- OH always insists on 1/4 tank left, refill.
ran around for a few days and would stop, then restart after a few minutes then stop again. local garage thought Diaphragm in pump as seemed to be leaking air in, shipped one over, still same issue.
pickup pipe in tank had corroded at point around 1/4 mark and when below and sloshing around dragged in air.

OCD or not, got to be worth checking everything as suggested by more knowledgeable people than me?
not much use if it looks factory fresh but doesn't run?

[CitroJim]

Roger, yes, tank strainer is under there... Fuel filter has seen the best of its days and yes, that confirms a non-ECU pump.

Solenoid on front is the cold advance actuator and the stop solenoid is just visible on top of the distributor housing, or rather, the two leads to it are...

I see no obvious issue with the injector... Likely oilier because it's nearest to the oil filler/breather pipe...

Roger, an offer. I'm around on Sunday. feel free - armed with a pack of choccy bikkies - to call over and I'll give your car a health check and assist with the tank strainer and etc.

[Rhothgar]

Roger, yes, tank strainer is under there... Fuel filter has seen the best of its days and yes, that confirms a non-ECU pump.

Solenoid on front is the cold advance actuator and the stop solenoid is just visible on top of the distributor housing, or rather, the two leads to it are...

I see no obvious issue with the injector... Likely oilier because it's nearest to the oil filler/breather pipe...

Roger, an offer. I'm around on Sunday. feel free - armed with a pack of choccy bikkies - to call over and I'll give your car a health check and assist with the tank strainer and etc.

Very kind offer Jim but I am not going to put you to trouble. It's going to be a very bleak weekend.

I have this afternoon been to a diesel specialist to buy some leak-off pipe and a capped end as I am worried about what looks to be a pool of diesel.

Got chatting to him after he warmed up a bit and he told me he has a T reg Xsara. Funny isn't it how those in the know run these engines?

I described that the fuel filter was dirty and that it only has happened when I have put my foot down. He said it is most likely air being drawn into (I assume the filter housing and beyond) because the clogging of the filter is restricting the flow of the diesel so much so that air is getting into the pump and cutting it dead. Once stopped, the filter housing is filling up and the air is purged and it starts and runs cleanly again until next time I put my foot down.

So I think tomorrow I am going to go for a drive and see if I can replicate it again armed with fuel filter or should I just change it and be done with it and pray it doesn't happen again?

[CitroJim]

Fair enough Roger... I'll go out for a run instead and get my own biscuits

[Rhothgar]

Fair enough Roger... I'll go out for a run instead and get my own biscuits

It makes me sad that we won't be sharing a couple of tea and some choccie bis-quits!

Diesel guy said you should change your diesel filter every 10,000 miles. Oops! At least it wasn't as bad as the one on Sylv's ZX which totally disintegrated having been subjected to veg oil...

[CitroJim]

At least every 10,000 miles... I'd say, for safety, 5,000 max Roger...

Maybe we can get together on two wheels at some point this year? I'm well booked up with sportives now but I'm sure I can find a space in my calendar somewhere...

Then we'll share the cyclist's favourite - coffee and cake

[Rhothgar]

At least every 10,000 miles... I'd say, for safety, 5,000 max Roger...

Maybe we can get together on two wheels at some point this year? I'm well booked up with sportives now but I'm sure I can find a space in my calendar somewhere...

Then we'll share the cyclist's favourite - coffee and cake

That would be great. I'm still keeping an eye out for you for a retro bike.

Have you planning on doing Eroica?

I've been off the bike for 3 weeks now and have another 3 weeks off. Race season starts 2 weeks on Sunday. YIKES!!!

[Jaf]

Yes my leak was the thing on the side. It took months to get bad enough to actually be able to see fuel. I got used to stalling at the crossroads! I took the housing off, cleaned it up and glued it.

[CitroJim]

Have you planning on doing Eroica?

Not this year sadly Roger as I've been unable to source a suitable bike and the required kit within my budget - my cycling budget is very low this year and what I did have has been spent on sportives already...

Currently I have 12 booked

[Rhothgar]

Have you planning on doing Eroica?

Not this year sadly Roger as I've been unable to source a suitable bike and the required kit within my budget - my cycling budget is very low this year and what I did have has been spent on sportives already...

Currently I have 12 booked

Jim. You're downright crazy!

I told you not to waste money on Sportives. We can still get an Audax in which is a sportive. They cost from £5 - £10 and often include sarnies and tea. Oh! and INSURANCE!

[CitroJim]

Roger, I love my sportives They're worth every penny to me

[Rhothgar]

The car stalled yet again today but this time I was in a full tank of fuel and whilst driving along at 30mph.

Just clean died.

Previously, you may recall it was being driven quicker and with a low fuel level. It happened 3 times in low fuel conditions (ie on reserve).

Since the fuel filter was changed it happened one more time with low fuel.

Here is a photo o the microbial gunk on the filter. It was fully covering the filter so I'm quite surprised this was not happening more often.

Of course, it may still happen again. Who knows?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xvcg9f3v6ovon ... 8.jpg?dl=0

Would I be right in saying that that filter cannot be removed or replaced (without changing the whole fuel strainer/fuel gauge unit?

This is as good as it gets:-

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vief3i2vzt30w ... 9.jpg?dl=0

Fingers crossed that's one GOOD job done!

[Rhothgar]

Ah! I forgot to ask.

The BoL states that a blocked fuel tank vent pipe can cause stalling issues

Where is this please? I blew through the small pipe but that didn't do anything and the bigger pipe is the fuel tank flow outlet.

[CitroJim]

Images are not showing Roger...

Have you also cleaned out the strainer gauze in the tank? Sorry if you've already answered that one...

No idea where the breather is but I'm sure someone will...

If it is blocked you may hear a hiss and feel a release of pressure as you remove the fuel cap... Else try running with a modified cap with small holes bored into it

Something else I'd do no is rig up a small lamp to the stop solenoid connection to see if the power to it disappears when the stall happens; have the lamp visible from your driving position...