Berlingo 1.9D Cranks but wont start.

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bazza45
Posts: 3
Joined: 30 May 2017, 15:44
Location: London
My Cars: Citroen Berlingo 1.9D
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Berlingo 1.9D Cranks but wont start.

Post by bazza45 »

Hi.
I am a new member.
Just over 1 week ago when I started my van, it started Ok, but there was a bit of a splutter for a second or 2, but the van run OK. This happened on 2 or 3 occasions when I started the van, then last Tuesday morning, I got in the van to go to work, an the van was cranking over, but wouldn't start. I read a few different forums, and tried 1 of the answers I read, which was to loosen one of the injectors and crank the engine. I did this and the engine started for a bit, then stopped, and there was some fuel on the rag, although not a lot. I tightened the injector an started the van, and it started OK with no spluttering like before. I decided to take the van out for a run, and stopped in the van on 3 or 4 occasions while I was out, and each time the van started OK. I got in the van on Weds to go to work, and back to square one, the engine was cranking, but not starting. I again loosened one of the injectors and cranked the engine, but this time, like before, there wasn't much fuel on the rag, but when I tightened the injector, and started the engine, it just cranked over and wouldn't start, and it has just cranked and not started since then.
I have checked for any oil/fuel leaks and loose wires, but everything seems fine. Have read on other forums that could possibly be stop solenoid/immobiliser problem?
Wondered if anyone can give me any advise on possible problems??

Thanks.
Barry.
ekjdm14
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'03 206 1.9TD - home-built veg-fuelled B-road bruiser
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Re: Berlingo 1.9D Cranks but wont start.

Post by ekjdm14 »

Have you checked the glow plugs are working correctly & getting power? although more likely a fuel issue from what you've said, its worth ruling out first.

Has this vehicle got the "hand grenade" primer bulb? if so have you tried priming via that, or opening the bleed screws to see if there's anything getting up from the tank? Or if it has an electric lift pump in the tank could this or it's fuse have failed? (or possibly the tank pickup has blocked).
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 109k
'03 206 GTi180 94k in surgery
'03 206 1.1S XUD9TE/veg project :mrgreen:
'99 306 2.0SE cabriolet 95k summer toy
'97 306 XS 1.6i 99k sat 12 years, fixed in 7 days, 150mile maiden voyage :rofl2:
bazza45
Posts: 3
Joined: 30 May 2017, 15:44
Location: London
My Cars: Citroen Berlingo 1.9D
x 1

Re: Berlingo 1.9D Cranks but wont start.

Post by bazza45 »

Hi. I changed the glow plugs, air filter in March, so would hope its not that! I already tried the fuel primer, which is built into the fuel filter housing. Should it be a firm resistance when the pump has been pressed 6 or 7 times??
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van ordinaire
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Re: Berlingo 1.9D Cranks but wont start.

Post by van ordinaire »

Unless you'd just run out of fuel, or replaced the filter, I wouldn't expect that many strokes before it was rock solid. However, I'm not sure what the fact you can press the primer that often tells us - hopefully someone out there does.
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ekjdm14
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 1810
Joined: 19 Jan 2015, 17:42
Location: Congleton
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: '95 Xantia 1.9D automatic - 109k one of two remaining
'03 206 GTi180 - 97k in pieces being brought back up to snuff
'03 206 1.9TD - home-built veg-fuelled B-road bruiser
'99 306 SE 2.0i cabriolet - 92k awaiting service work ready for next summer
'97 306 XS 1.6i 3 door, Bianca White, from dead 12 years & seized solid to road legal in 7 days
x 212

Re: Berlingo 1.9D Cranks but wont start.

Post by ekjdm14 »

Could suggest fuel drain back & that the pump now has an air lock, perhaps you could try priming/bleeding the system again using the procedure as if you had run dry of fuel & see if there's any sign of life then. As for why it might drain back, aren't the priming pumps in the filter head known for leaking diaphragms allowing just such a scenario?
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 109k
'03 206 GTi180 94k in surgery
'03 206 1.1S XUD9TE/veg project :mrgreen:
'99 306 2.0SE cabriolet 95k summer toy
'97 306 XS 1.6i 99k sat 12 years, fixed in 7 days, 150mile maiden voyage :rofl2:
bazza45
Posts: 3
Joined: 30 May 2017, 15:44
Location: London
My Cars: Citroen Berlingo 1.9D
x 1

Re: Berlingo 1.9D Cranks but wont start.

Post by bazza45 »

Problem has been fixed now thanks. The garage who repaired the head gasket around 2 months ago, put a lead that I traced back to the glowplugs, in the wrong place! I put it in the right place, and van has been OK since! Thought the garage would know what they were doing, but obviously not, unless they did know what they were doing, so I would take the van back, and they could charge me for something that didn't need doing??? Thanks for the replies and advise.
ekjdm14
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 1810
Joined: 19 Jan 2015, 17:42
Location: Congleton
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: '95 Xantia 1.9D automatic - 109k one of two remaining
'03 206 GTi180 - 97k in pieces being brought back up to snuff
'03 206 1.9TD - home-built veg-fuelled B-road bruiser
'99 306 SE 2.0i cabriolet - 92k awaiting service work ready for next summer
'97 306 XS 1.6i 3 door, Bianca White, from dead 12 years & seized solid to road legal in 7 days
x 212

Re: Berlingo 1.9D Cranks but wont start.

Post by ekjdm14 »

ekjdm14 wrote:Have you checked the glow plugs are working correctly & getting power? although more likely a fuel issue from what you've said, its worth ruling out first.

bazza45 wrote:The garage who repaired the head gasket around 2 months ago, put a lead that I traced back to the glowplugs, in the wrong place! I put it in the right place, and van has been OK since!
Wow that's a strange one given the symptoms, goes to show it's always worth checking the basics though :)

Which lead did you have to move, and where was it connected to? I ask because I would have expected starting to be very poor with the glow plugs disconnected from the get-go, and it to have been more of an issue in the colder weather in the last couple of months...
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 109k
'03 206 GTi180 94k in surgery
'03 206 1.1S XUD9TE/veg project :mrgreen:
'99 306 2.0SE cabriolet 95k summer toy
'97 306 XS 1.6i 99k sat 12 years, fixed in 7 days, 150mile maiden voyage :rofl2:
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