Xantia does not start pionting up hill

robmarshall · Unread post by **robmarshall** » 19 Jan 2009, 19:46

I have a 1999 Xantia 1.9td . When I park it for more than an hour facing up hill it wont start. If I park facing downhill it starts???? Any Clues ??

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 19 Jan 2009, 19:57

I'd think it's an air leak in your fuel line. Diesels won't run with a lot of air in the fuel. As gravity pulls the fuel back towards the tank (on uphill parking) air is being sucked in somewhere.

Does priming the fuel bulb make any difference? If you have a clear fuel line from the fuel filter to around the back of the pump, look for air bubbles as you're priming the bulb. Chances are you'll also see bubbles when the engine is running.

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 19 Jan 2009, 20:28

Yep, I would agree. If you can park it facing down a steep enough hill, you may be able to see fuel leaking, that's where your air leak will be when pointing up hill.

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 19 Jan 2009, 21:39

just to clear the obvious... when you say it doesn't start... does the starter turn over?

if it does then mike and peters theories will make sense.

to help it start if that is the problem.. pump the priming bulb to suck some diesel back, should help a bit

robmarshall · Unread post by **robmarshall** » 24 Jan 2009, 14:05

Deffo air... Went to locate the priming bulb and it was not there.... Just a joint in the fuel line where it used to be... Ended up bleeding from an injector and it seems better. I will try when it is colder as it seems to start better when warm anyway. Also the fuel line is black so cant see the fuel or possible air in the line. I will post an update soon.

You gotta love Citroens dont you ..

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 24 Jan 2009, 14:48

check the state of the leak off pipes between the injectors, if they are hard, then it'll be an idea to replace them.
When they get hard they crack and can let in air.

For a clear fuel pipe between the filter and the pump, I got some fish tank air pipe that did the trick beautifully.