Random Stalling and Problem Starts

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tobybowes
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Random Stalling and Problem Starts

Post by tobybowes »

Hello I'm new here and just looking for a little advice with my C3!

I have a 53 Plate, Citroen C3 1.4 HDi LX Diesel. 103,000 miles on the clock (approx).

I'll start from the beginning,
Roughly a year ago (at 94500miles) my car started to randomly stall whilst driving, it didn't seem to matter whether I was in high/low revs, high/low speed, or idle at traffic lights, it would just cut out. If it was to happen whilst driving along it sometimes would start again on its own after a few seconds of drifting.

After about a week of having this problem I stalled and couldn't get the car to start again using the key, so I called out the RAC. They informed me that it was quite a common problem with the C3 for the fuel line to wear thin and air to get in the system, he showed me the manual fuel primer and the many bubbles flowing through as he prime it. The car started again but on further investigation by the RAC he found the hole in the fuel line. He chopped a chunk out and sealed it with a replace chunk of hose. I then got the full fuel line replaced and the problem disappeared.

After around 6 months the problem was back, only this time I knew how to prime the car at the road side. I took the car back to the garage asking them to check the fuel line was fitted correctly and had no holes, this was confirmed. I was then advised to got to a peugeot/citroen specialist for further investigating, they checked the fuel pressure, the pump, and checked inside the tank for any blockages, all was fine. They also checked for fault codes and there we're non, apparently due to the lack of power to the computer during a stall its like it cant save anything if its not switched on, apparently. They couldn't get the car to stall or show the issue so I brought the car home (after paying a big bill) knowing the problem hadn't been fixed.

I've now been reading on the internet and self diagnosing for a while, with very little starting knowledge. But i'm getting nowhere it would seem, so I'm coming to you guys for advice and to see if anyone else has experienced this?

I've checked the wiring behind the battery and sprayed them with HOLTS DAMP START in case moisture was shorting any of them. And I've also sprayed WYNNS DIESEL EGR3 through the air in take system, this appeared to fix the problem for a few days but its back.

I've read a lot about the EGR effecting the car, although I've sprayed the air in take system could this really be coaked up and causing problems like this? I've looked at removing in but its behind the engine and also the pipe that connects to the left side has screws on an angle that are almost impossible to remove with any tools.

It passed its MOT last month with no problems as well, but I can't myself say the car is safe when it's had this happen previously whilst travelling on motorways (and no to mention the embarrassment of stalling and not being able to start it in the middle of a cross junction).

Can anyone please advise, I'm getting quite annoyed with it now but can't afford to trade up for a few more years yet.

Thanks in advance,
James
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Re: Random Stalling and Problem Starts

Post by Peter.N. »

Hi James

That's modern cars for you I'm afraid. When you have this problem will it still start by priming it? If so the problem is still lack of fuel - it could be a lot worse if it was an electronic problem. I don't know if your car has an electric pump in the tank, if so these can fail or become intermittent, are there still bubbles in the fuel? The other possibility is that the fuel tank breather is blocked, used to be a common fault but doesn't happen much nowadays, but worth checking, next time it does it open the fuel cap and see if there is a rush of air.

Peter
tobybowes
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Re: Random Stalling and Problem Starts

Post by tobybowes »

Sometimes priming gets it started other times it doesn't help at all, same as sometimes theres a lot of bubbles in the line so an obvious lack of fuel problem, but other times theres none. Next time it happens I'll be sure to check the fuel cap for air, I hadn't even thought of that thanks. I'm not sure what type of pump this car has but when the garage says its fine im sometimes a little too trusting so i'll investigate myself over the weekend. Also as it does need doing i'll attempt to clean the egr valve as well, it can't hurt anyways.

Thanks Peter

Anyone else with ideas or experince of this happening?

James
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Re: Random Stalling and Problem Starts

Post by Sl4yer »

The excuse for lack of fault codes is nonsense I believe. At the very least, some of the ECUs will record a low voltage fault as it dies!

James
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