307 hdi lazy starting

[Ednic]

2005 307 2.0hdi 136.

New starter motor and fuel filter fitted today.
During the process a broken clip was found on the fuel line at the filter, however it refitted with the piece in place, holds in position and doesn't leak.
After the job was done, when air was purged from the lines and it started as it should .
Now it turns over for 3 or4 seconds or more before starting. Can't see any air in the fuel lines and no signs of a leak anywhere. Once it starts it runs smoothly - better than it did before.

I've tried repeatedly stop/start and been for a drive, but still the delay before it catches.

Any ideas please.

[mickthemaverick]

it would be worth having a diagnostic kit connected and see if any fault codes are stored. Also a read through this thread may give you some ideas: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post ... tm?t=74744

[Ednic]

Thanks.
Hooked Planet to it but nothing of intetest, although it had reduced functionality.
Starting this morning took 4 or 5 attempts.
No air in the lines. I ordered another filter and later it started much quicker, left it and tried again and the same.
I'll leave it overnight again and see what happens.

[Sloppysod]

2005 307 2.0hdi 136.
......
During the process a broken clip was found on the fuel line at the filter, however it refitted with the piece in place, holds in position and doesn't leak.
.....

I had something similar on my X7. When I changed the fuel filter, I noticed that one of the pipe connectors look chewed up (broken). Refitted it andcas there were no leaks or problems over the next couple of weeks. I forgot about it.

Anyway a couple of weeks later I went on holiday and the place I rented had a very steep driveway. Then nearly every morning my car took a long while to start, not happy but could cope, I had a very good battery. However, one day by pure chance I parked the car nose down and it started the following day 'on the button', so that evening I parked with the nose up again and the following morning it took along while to start again! Then I remembered the damaged pipe connector.

When I got home, I replaced the filter top and pipe connections, never had a problem again.

So yes, you may not see any leaks but it could be sucking in air and syphoning the fuel out of the filter bowl.
And as a note, there is a special tool you can buy to remove the connectors without damage.

[ozfrog]

special tool you can buy to remove the connectors without damage.

I thought that sounded like a terrific idea for a tool. I'm often breaking connectors. I searched for exactly what I've left from your post, and all I get is tools for removing electrical connectors and broken/damaged bolts or nuts.

Would you care to provide a link to the type of tool you're referring to, please?

[Sloppysod]

This is what I bought, it works but with care.
https://ebay.us/m/SajAqo

[Ednic]

Sorry for the delay.

Since my last post it would not start the following morning and (I thought) I'd discharged the battery trying. Put the battery on charge and spoke to a local garage owner who offered to come over and help.
Bearing in mind it's illegal to tow a car here and also to repair at the roadside, I don't have off road parking and he doesn't have a recovery vehicle!
A few hours of work went into it purging the system again, rigging remote fuel supplies to isolate suspect parts and relentless testing, it refused numerous attempts to start . Mechanic was at the point of removing the fuel pump and whilst removing the air intake ducting noticed that an earth was loose. In fact it had been overtightened and stripped the thread.
New earth point created, all cables cleaned and reconnected - started first time..........He was as surprised as me.

Anyway, all's well that ends well and all the cleaning, making good and testing is never a bad thing.

[Sloppysod]

I'm glad you managed to get it fixed without too much hassle & expense.

[Ednic]

Spoke too soon......

Further to my last, some things are better and some are not.

Now I have a cold starting problem. First thing, it will take two or three sessions of cranking for 15-20 seconds before it will start. After a short drive it will start again quite easily , if left for a couple of hours it will need progressively more cranking.
Fuel filter has been changed twice since, one of these with a change of housing. Inline one way valve installed in the fuel line on the engine side of the filter.
Mechanic has spent hours on this and no further forward.

I have a video from Diagbox showing the cranking today but it's too big to upload
Hope this link to Dropbox works
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qff8mm5e ... r6i39&dl=0

[Ednic]

Forgot to add, on the video it shows something like "synchronisation between camshaft and crankshaft - no".
Does this indicate a problem in itself?
I had a problem over a year ago with a Zafira that turned out to be a crank position sensor, would this similar?