ZX TD idle

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
skypilot
Posts: 29
Joined: 07 Jun 2003, 01:53
Location:
My Cars:

ZX TD idle

Post by skypilot »

A couple of weeks ago, I stupidly put in £10 worth of unleaded. Realising what I'd done, I brimmed the tank with diesel and put in some diesel injector cleaner when I got home. The car's performance and fuel consumption has been unaffected, but yesterday at idling speed, both hot and cold, the engine was very rough accompanied by clouds of white smoke. It was the same this morning, but after my 30 mile run home it was ok. Has the petrol had a detrimental effect or is it maybe a duff injector?
Simon Canfer
Posts: 114
Joined: 02 Mar 2001, 17:41
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Post by Simon Canfer »

White smoke could be unburnt diesel, caused by pump timing being incorrect or injectors need seeing to. Or perhaps coolant being drawn in and burnt (head gasket or cracked head?). I would take it to a diesel specialist! (as opposed to a main dealer Citroen garage :)
Simon
jeremy
Posts: 3959
Joined: 20 Oct 2002, 16:00
Location: Hampshire, UK
My Cars:
x 2

Post by jeremy »

Diesel injection pumps are manufacturerd to very high tolerances and rely on the fuel as a lubricant. You have in effect put 25% petrol in the tankwhich obviously will affect the lubricating properties of the fuel while its in there. So the concern is has your pump worn itself out.
Worn pumps can produce retarded injection points as it takes longer for the pump to produce sufficient pressure to operate the injector. Other symptoms of retatrded timing - bad starting, loss of power and smoke.
May be worth trying to advance the pump a bit and see what happens. Mark the present position before tinkering so that you can get it back again if there is a problem.
jeremy
Post Reply