Xantia TD - stuttery idle

[chinkostu]

Hi guys, just recently did headgasket and belts on the old girl (xud9te) and it started after a bit of pumping of the primer bulb (understandable given from the bulb onwards was completely dry after being sat for a couple of months!)

Can't see any leaks and all looks good, but once the engines warmed up a bit it starts idling like its missing slightly, just a touch lumpy. If you give it stick theres a wedge of dark smoke but I put that down to the oily intake (there was a nice amount of congealed oil in the breathers as well). Is it likely that the oilyness is why it's lumpy? I'm 99% sure it was all lined up properly belt wise as everything was locked off, but given the lack of room could it be a tooth out?

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

would've thought it'd be a lot more than 'lumpy' if the belt was a tooth out

[chinkostu]

would've thought it'd be a lot more than 'lumpy' if the belt was a tooth out

That helps thanks so looks like i'm hunting air leaks hopefully passes the MOT regardless!

[Jaf]

Seems to me that the fuel pump timing is overly sensitive. When changing the belt I’ve had to adjust the pump. (And once weirdly after changing the fuel filter!?!).

[chinkostu]

Looks like i'm checking static timing first then! But would adjusting the pump not muck timing up across the whole rev range?

[Jaf]

Nope. At least with mine the tickover is quieter/ smoother, starts easier and acceleration is improved.

I had the timing changed the first time by a garage, noticed the acceleration was better.

Since then I’ve done a fuel pump change myself, and belt change myself a couple of times. Not that I understand it but by observation when I change a belt or touch the pump I have to adjust the static timing. Shouldn’t have to, everything is pinned.

I have still only done it by ear though, I couldn’t get the dial gauge to fit in! I plan to recheck it when it’s cooler.

[chinkostu]

Excellent, i'll have to look into that. For what it's worth the idle seems slightly better just from a run so might just be residual crap clearing out!

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

I did make this note about the Injector Pump timing on one of my spare XUD's a while back,

that a 6.5mm Drill bit will go into the 'available movement' on the easiest accessible mounting

Oops, afterthought, might be different as this one's a non-turbo

[chinkostu]

On a random aside, is it likely to do this if i've set the fast idle too low? As i remember getting the waxstat cable to sit properly was a pain

Otherwise ill try

New fuel filter, check theres no air getting in via the feed at the bottom (probably change the clamp!) And make sure the lids sealing properly

Check static timing

If still the same then adjust the pump but mark up original position just in case.

[chinkostu]

Right guys, bumping this back up as I thought it was solved.

So the first thing I did was fill the car up when it was back on the road. Never really bothered with anything except for about a fortnight ago I changed the fuel filter and success! It ran beautifully.

Up until I brimmed the tank again yesterday and it's back to running like arse!!!

[ekjdm14]

Oh no, not another one randomly deciding to stutter at idle and smoke but just when it feels like it?

That was the continued issue we had with White, even after I'd replaced a bent rod which made things better. It'd have me on running fine for a week or so & then back to misbehaving, ruled out fuel leaks/timing/injectors/turbo and assorted other things but still no better. (Mind you, it did also sporadically burn daft amounts of oil too so I think it was likely sticking rings)

[chinkostu]

Yep! And the trackrod i replaced just unwound itself and make life interesting!

[aerodynamica]

I hope you get this sorted - must be annoying.

Mine ran fine after the head coming off for the HG. But I do notice that when I start from cold it does sound very 'cold diesel' with it clattering away like a tractor. It soon quietens down with the heat and it's never changed in the year since the HG was done. I've done a lot to the car but never touched the diesel pump.

[chinkostu]

After forking out for recovery we got home. Had to dump it up a verge as we were on a country lane just after a bend. Thankfully low speed but went more straight ahead!! Serves me right for not double checking it when I replaced it, think I wound it in as tight as I could but not tight enough!

It's a really weird one as it was absolutely perfect when I changed the filter, so I assumed it was the filter O ring had hardened up after being sat dry and then possibly dragged some crap from the tank. Alas!