C5 2.2 Hdi keeps stalling

[KevMayer]

Hello everyone,

My 2.2 Hdi C5 has developed a problem whereby the tickover is eratic and over the last few days it has become so lumpy that it has stalled many times.

Today, on the M1 past Luton the traffic came to a halt. I pressed the clutch and brake pedal and the engine stalled. It did it about 4 times on the trip up from London to Staffordshire.

The tickover has been 'hunting' for a week or so. I first suspected water in the diesel. Due to condensation in the tank because I never fill the tank more than half full.

I'll replace the fuel filter. I changed it about 30,000 miles ago, and, I'll try squirting carb cleaner spray into the MAF sensor to clean it.

What else could be causing my problem?

[Sl4yer]

I'll try squirting carb cleaner spray into the MAF sensor to clean it.

I'd be wary of doing that. Can electronic diesels not 'run away' like the regular variety when fed with something flammable?

James

[KevMayer]

It will be ok.

I'll take the MAF sensor off and squirt it. I won't refit it until it's dry.

cheers,

[Sl4yer]

I'll take the MAF sensor off and squirt it. I won't refit it until it's dry.

Ah, OK! Didn't read like that first time. Better safe than sorry. And it's late...

James

[KevMayer]

Panic over.

I've replaced the fuel filter and it's now running ok.

The old filter was very 'grey'.

I've been for a 30 mile run and the tickover is smooth.

[civvie]

Kev,

Would be interested in how you replaced the fuel filter, looked at doing mine but backed off as not sure how to remove the fuel line from the filter case, scared of breaking bits off. How are the pipes pulled off, is it just a case of pulling hard or are they clipped on somehow?

Steve

[KevMayer]

Hello civvie,

The fuel lines are easy to remove. At the ends of the pipe connectors there's a grey or green half ring. My C5 has three pipes. Two have grey half rings and one has a green ring.

All you need to do is to press the grey/green half ring down into the pipe. This releases a collar on the inside of the pipe connector. You then just pull the pipes off.

To refit, just push the pipes back on and they clip into place.

The fuel filter pack comes with plugs and caps to protect the ends of the pipes while you're working, just to keep dirt out.

There are two types of filter. One is Bosch, the other is Siemens. My 2.2 Hdi has a Siemens fuel filter.

[civvie]

Thanks for the info Kev, gives me an idea now, will see about doing it when its a bit warmer.

Did you replace it in one unit? IE the case and the filter or just the filter. If just the filter I take it the plugs and caps where in with the filter.

Cheers,

Steve