Faltering ZX diesel

ndaisley · Post by **ndaisley** » 08 Jan 2005, 14:54

Well, I said a sad farewell to my BX GTi having been advised it would cost around £500 to get it through the MOT (very pleased to say it went to an enthusiast rather than a breaker's yard), and instead spent my £500 on a ZX diesel from a trusted source. I have done less than 100 miles in it so far, and am still very much getting used to it (eg being less adventurous at roundabouts, expecting a bit of roll in turns) but am pleased with it. It is my first diesel.
However, I do notice that in any gear, whether cold or warm, the engine can start to falter at just about 2100rpm, such that I can find myself kangaroo-ing slightly even in high gear and sensible speed. The effect is much more marked if I am slackening off the gas, than when I am accellerating. Reminds me a bit of the backfiring of my old Morris Minor, but without the popping[:D]
Can anyone give me advice on fixing this irksome problem (which I had been warned about before purchase, but hadn't realised quite what its effect would be)?
A second, small matter - is it easy to set the steering-wheel straight? It is set at a slight angle when the wheels are straight, which I find annoying though hardly a show-stopper. Presumably there are some grub-screws to slacken and tighten, somewhere I haven't found yet.
Many thanks.

wilkobob · Post by **wilkobob** » 08 Jan 2005, 15:41

Worn Engine and gearbox mounts? Could be dirty air and or fuel filter. Either that or the timing is out.
As for the wheels, go and get the wheel alignment done, its only about £15 at most good tyre shops.

ndaisley · Post by **ndaisley** » 08 Jan 2005, 15:59

Thanks for the message - perhaps I wasn't clear about the wheels. The problem is that the steering-wheel is set incorrectly, not that wheels are out of alignment. Thus, when the wheels are set straight ahead, the steering-wheel is set 15deg. from the horizontal.
I know on the 2CV it is possible to reset this kind of problem as the wheel is attached to the steering column by some screws; just wondering whether it can be done on the ZX? Not a big issue, but would be nice to fix.

beezer · Post by **beezer** » 08 Jan 2005, 16:09

Changing the wheel/rack alignment by adjusting each rod end by an equal amount of turns (one screwed in the other out) corrects this. You can take the steering wheel off and re-position it but it is most likely that it is in the wrong position because someone wasn't too particular when the tracking was last done.

wilkobob · Post by **wilkobob** » 08 Jan 2005, 16:10

Yes it can, however i would have thought if it was out it would be due to the wheels being out of align? If the wheel alignment was done, they would reset the steering as well, whilst aligning the wheels. To "reset" (re - position the wheel) yourself, set the wheels straight, then depending on the type, if its got an air bag disconnect battery -ive, leave 10 mins, undo 2 thorx screws behind wheel, remove airbag, be very careful with it!, if no airbag present, the plastic cover needs to be removed (clipped on i believe), then undo the nut retaining the wheel, remove steering wheel (this can sometimes be difficult) then replace in "straight" position, then do nut back up and replace cover. If its got the airbag, replace it making sure to be careful with it, and connect all wires up properly and securely. Re- Connect the battery -ive. (dont think ive missed anything here... have I?

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 08 Jan 2005, 16:24

The steering wheel needs repositioning on the splined shaft, early models just pull the plastic center piece from the wheel and loosen the shaft nut (21mm IIRC) a few turns, use your palms to slap the rear of the wheel at the 9 and 3 0'clock positions to break the wheel free of the taper.
Find a quite straight piece of road or a supermarket carpark with a long straight kerb and drive along it and stop, taking care not to move the wheel, undo it and reposition it on the splines as close to the correct position as possible, you will probably get it just right but if not any small adjustment can be made by having the car tracked as mentioned earlier.
If the car has an airbag you need to read up on how to take it off safely and do this before venturing out to make any adjustment.
Driving the car straight ahead along a straight kerb for a guide eliminates any guess work as to when the wheels are in the dead ahead position, and will get the job done right at the first attempt.
Dave

ndaisley · Post by **ndaisley** » 08 Jan 2005, 16:35

Excellent - many thanks to all re. steering wheel!
Re. the 'faltering' problem - this is my first diesel (apart from the Mills .75 I used to build into unsuccessful model aeroplanes many, many years ago) and at present I know little about how the ignition system works, but I guess if there is an ignition timing system fault I had best take that to a garage to fix?

wilkobob · Post by **wilkobob** » 08 Jan 2005, 16:42

The "ignition" timing is controled by the diesel injection pump. The only adjustements I have ever made are the angle at which the pump is mounted to the engine, although this isnt very accurate. You'd be much better taking it to a diesel specialist, who will know what they are doing (hopefully). They will also be able to tell you if it is the timing thats out, or not.

beezer · Post by **beezer** » 08 Jan 2005, 17:14

The Citroen Technical Guide is a good start to understanding diesels. It is downloadable from many Citroen enthusiasts' sites. One is:
http://www.citrina.lt/failai/tech/Citro ... adovas.pdf

sooty · Post by **sooty** » 09 Jan 2005, 02:15

The wheel alignment only checks that wheel toe in/out is correct. If the person who done this, should have checked to make sure the Steering wheel is correctly level in the car during a road test or if fully equipped with four wheel tracking, on the setting jig.
If like me, I tried sometime ago to get my steering wheel off with no joy, even by using a puller carefully without damaging the wheel. Don't forget you will have to remove the Air bag assembly if fitted. It may be better as already suggested to adjust the track rods by equal amount till the wheel level is correct.