What is this device in my BX14RE?

[Oucham]

Hello.

Can someone tell me what is the name of this device in my engine, and what it does.

Three vacuum pipes are connected to it.

Thank you

[Gibbo2286]

It's a de-aerator, part of the fuel system.

[Oucham]

Thanks alot for your reply Gibbo. That was a new term for me to learn.

Since this is a de-aerator, then fuel must pass by it, if I understood correcty. It should separate fuel and water, right?
However I thought the three hoses were all vaccum hoses.

I will have a close look at it in the engine later today.

[Gibbo2286]

No, it removes air bubbles from the fuel to prevent air locks building up in the system.

[white exec]

Some vehicles have a similar "swirl pot" device on their coolant systems. Coolant enters and leaves the small container, and is forced to circulate by internal guides. Any trapped air bubbles upwards, and is routed harmlessly to the main expansion (header) tank.

The one here looks to work similarly (fuel in, fuel out, air out = the 3 hose connections) for the fuel system.

[Oucham]

Thank you for your replies.

I hade a closer look in the engine earlier today.

All hoses that are connected to that device comes from the carburetor. So it must be air, or mixed fuel-air that is going through that device. Or what do think? (as you see on the picture the hoses are without clamps, which should have been there if these were fuel hoses).

The fuel hose goes from mechanical pump through filter to carburetor.

[white exec]

Looks like #2 (de-gassing tank) here...
? Click to enlarge

[Oucham]

Thank you for your effort.

But the de-gassing tank is not similar to the device on the photo.
And again the fuel is not passing the little device in my engine. In the picture you posted, the fuel passes through the de-gassing tank.

Can you possibly find another schematic, for hoses connected to the carburetor, or vacuum hoses.

My carburator is SOLEX 32-35 TACIC

[white exec]

The device is, you say, connected into the fuel line.
That makes it either
- a filter (unlikely)
- a degassing unit
- a fuel pressure regulator
- a fuel shut-off device (which would be electrically commected, so not likely).

PSA parts diagrams do not always show the exact visual appearance of devices fitted, although wiring and pipework is always accurate. It you can post the car's VIN number (which will appear masked, except to forum staff), that will help indentify parts more closely. BX parts identification is made more complicated, because all the many model and engine types appear in a long list for each area/function on the car. VIN number narrows the search, and removes guesswork about component changes.

[Oucham]

Thank you Chris for your time.

Ok, sorry maybe I have not been enough clear. So this is how it is: fuel is NOT passing through that device. ONLY three vacuum hoses are connected to it. All three hoses goes to the carburetor.

My VIN: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

I hope you can help me figure out what it is. Thank you.

[white exec]

Thanks for posting the VIN.
The number contains the correct number of digits (17), but is not being recognised by the Citroen database.
Could you check it?
Thanks.

[Oucham]

Yes, I have also got the same message when I typed it in Service Box. I do not know why. See the picture I sent you in PM.

Odd vehicle engine and VIN.. Not fun

[white exec]

Thanks for PM'ing a very clear photo of the VIN.
S/Box actually accepts all 17 digits of the VIN, but as soon as you hit OK it comes back with "not recognised".
This is odd, because as soon as a wrong digit is entered anywhere in the sequence, it immediately spots it, with "invalid".
Even the final 8 is accepted, but OK throws the message.

I rang Citroen UK about this, and all they will say is that, for very early vehicles, there may be no vehicle detail available.
We are used to vehicle detail being brief/sparse for early 1990s cars, but the VIN is usually at least recognised.
Annoying...

Doing a search of BX > fuel systems throws up JUST ONE entry for Solex 32-25 TACIC, which shows helpfully as Switzerland...

and this diagram...

The triple pipework is not shown - again not helpful - and neither is the "3-port" component.

RPO 4192 = 1 May 1988. Could you check the RPO number on the car, just out of interest?

[Oucham]

Thank you Chris for your time.

Production no is 3892.
What date does that correspond to?

I will test the VIN in Service Box again and post further regarding the unknown component, later today, after work.

[white exec]

To save me looking it up, just google 'RP Decoder', and you'll find several sites that will convert any RPO to its mfg dste.