Xsara Picasso Running Problems

stuartadair · Post by **stuartadair** » 10 Mar 2008, 17:55

Evening all,

Friend of mine has just rang. He has a 2002 Xsara Picasso with 1.9 engine. It will start and fire, run for about 10 seconds and then cut out. In the time it starts it will rev but then dies. He says he is low on fuel so I've told him to put a gallon of diesel in and ring me back. Suspecting diesel filter if the fuel doesnt solve it.
Any other ideas ?

Stu

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 10 Mar 2008, 21:10

Hi Stu -

It is very important to avoid a low fuel situation on a diesel.
Otherwise you are into priming business and perhaps some longish engine cranking - for a reluctant lumpy start.

Other issues could very well be leaking fuel lines, as air intake by the fuel lines is a sure hard-starter and lumpy runner on a diesel.

Also check for any possible water contamination of the fuel.

It aint gonna run on water mate

stuartadair · Post by **stuartadair** » 11 Mar 2008, 06:27

Thanks. He's put a gallon of diesel in and now it wont even start at all. Apparently it wasnt that low in the first place so it wasnt running out of fuel.
The car is in Northampton and I'm in Tewkesbury so its a bit difficult to diagnose but I'm thinking a blocked fuel filter as the next logical step ...

Post by **RichardW** » 11 Mar 2008, 07:47

It won't be a 1.9 if it's a Picasso - it will be a 2.0 HDi. Depending on which system is fitted, the 'usual' failure is the low pressure lift pump in the tank (only fitted to Bosch injection systems). TBH it's unlikely to be a blocked filter (unless he's been doing something really stupid like running it on old chip fat....). Maybe get the rear seats up / out and the carpet up and look for the (big) tank grommet, lift this, and then give the tank housing a clout whilst the ignition is on to see if it springs into life. After that, it is garage with diagnostic equipment I'm afraid - there are loads of sensors on these engines, and lots of checks by the ECU before it will allow the engine to start - the only hope of getting it fixed is with a computer

Best to take it to a Diesel specialist though.

pikecrazy · Post by **pikecrazy** » 11 Mar 2008, 11:15

stuartadair wrote:Evening all,

Friend of mine has just rang. He has a 2002 Xsara Picasso with 1.9 engine. It will start and fire, run for about 10 seconds and then cut out. In the time it starts it will rev but then dies. He says he is low on fuel so I've told him to put a gallon of diesel in and ring me back. Suspecting diesel filter if the fuel doesnt solve it.
Any other ideas ?

Stu

Oh dear could be the High Pressure fuel pump , this happened to mine

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 11 Mar 2008, 21:36

I agree it sounds like a LP fuel pump in the tank, unfortunitely you cant access it from under the seats its a drop the tank down job.
Get underneath it whack the lowest point nearest the filler neck with a rubber mallet whilst cranking it & it should kick into life. will need replace though with the seal.

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Xsara Picasso Running Problems

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