Xsara Hdi 110 Wont Start 53 Reg

[hiendley]

so far replaced cam and crank sensors,replaced starter motor,someone said crack off 17 mm nuts on injectors so done that,fuel coming out.engine is turning over fast but still wont start.glow plug light only seems to light for about 2 seconds.might try tow starting tomoro.any ideas please?

[qman3428]

If you have glow plugs working and fuel the only other thing is compression as these are the three ingredients for a diesel engine to run. I would get a compression test done which will tell you if it is a duff head gasket/ cracked head or a duff engine.

Glow plugs are really only used when it is cold, in the summer they are not needed at all so 2 seconds is OK.

You say you have fuel, but with the bolts loose crank the engine (be careful fuel under pressure is very dangerous) see it the fuel is dribbling or there is a quantity. If a dribble you know fuel is the issue.

What caused this to start, did it just stop or have you rebuilt the engine? How did it run before it stopped? Are there any engine codes listed? When did you last change the fuel filter? Try resetting the ECU.

[hiendley]

many thanks, i will work on your comprehensive advice and let you know

[paul.h]

I can not add much to this but just to highlight from your related post the engine has not run for 6 months, so this may have some impact on advice from members. One possiblity may be to have a diagnostic check of the car using a dealer type Lexia - it may save time and replacement of parts that are not faulty. The fuel may also not be that good after 6 months - perhaps others will comment on this. Your other post

http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/20958-xsara-diesel-crankshaft-sensor/

[Johndouglas]

. The fuel may also not be that good after 6 months -

I've seen diesel that has stood for a time develop a fungal growth.   To look at it it seems to have chunks of cotton wool floating in it.   Since your engine has not run for 6 months the least I'd give it is a new fuel filter and some fresh diesel.

[hiendley]

tried starting again today with easy start- it ran for 5 seconds !!.just read your good advice .i have removed fuel filter and will order new one from e bay{not looked in canister yet)i played about with remote,locking,unlocking.headlight icon then started flashing on dash. i played with light stalk, flashing stopped and then car started-but only ran 5 seconds, battery is always being removed/fitted to charge so maybe this has something to do with problems.in a few days when new filter comes i will put a gallon of fresh diesel in and redex. i welcome good advice and also tips about battery/ecu ,priming,anything else,would tow starting help ?

[paul.h]

Running on easy start must be a good sign and suggests a fuel problem. I once had a fuel pump fail on a petrol Saab and the RAC did some tests, ran it on easy start and then checked for a 12 volt supply at the in tank fuel pump - concluding the pump was at fault/not running and needed replacing. In this case a new pump worked.

 

I would do the fuel filter before putting any new fuel in the tank - if the filter contents look bad it may need the tank emptying. Some time back, coastline taxis found water contamination in the diesel tank of a van (may have been a leaking fuel cap) had led to bacterial growth like jelly in the fuel. Apparently this is common in marine engines.

 

I do not know if there can be problems on the Xsara due to quickly disconnecting/reconnecting the battery, on some such as the C5 there can be and I have been using the following (copied from the C3 Common Problems post) -

 

If you need to disconnect the battery and not do a BSI reset procedure, I have found the following has not given me any problems on a 2004 and 2007 C5 and a 2003 C3:

- remove the ignition key from the car

- open the bonnet

- wait a few minutes for the BSI to shut down

- disconnect the battery negative terminal

 

When reconnecting

- ignition key out of the car

- reconnect the battery

- wait a few minutes

- insert the key in the ignition and wait a minute

- turn the key to the first position and wait a minute

- turn the key so the dash lights come on and wait a minute

- start the engine

- take the windows down and up to reset the anti pinch

- reset the clock (and radio on the C3).

[hiendley]

thank you so much for more good advice to work on. on my very first post (where is crankshaft sensor)i put that eco-mode showing on dash,- its still showing

[Johndouglas]

On a 53 Xsara you probably won't have a fuel lift pump in the tank. Instead you'll have a hand primer close to the fuel filter. Whenever the fuel lines have been disturbed - like when changing the filter, the hand primer needs constantly squeezing until it becomes solid. It may also help to keep squeezing as the starter is working.

[paul.h]

The engine has to run for the eco mode to clear. Whilst it is on, some things like the radio and inside lights will not work. It is a Citroen and Peugeot thing to prevent the battery going flat if something is left on. However, it is nothing to worry about and will not be affecting your efforts to get the engine running.

[hiendley]

thanks everyone,i am a "big hammer man",i have opened the filter,but at the expense of snapping a pipe off !.the filter is dark /dirty but the diesel is very clean/no fungus. i have stuck pipe back on and ordered an inner filter from ebay just now.hope my bodge job works or is there an equivalent/replacement 3 connections fuel filter available,thanks again.

[Johndouglas]

You need every joint in the fuel line 100% secure otherwise the system won't build up sufficient fuel pressure to start.