Citreon Xsara Picasso 2002 1.8 Diesel ... Starter Problems

[poolielad]

Can someone please help me...... I have the above car..... Just recently started to have a problem with it...

 

 

Always started first time....but recently, after starting it and driving for a while (example if I went to shop and stopped engine when I come out of shop, it wouldnt start) ..... This dosent happen all the time, just sometimes...It turns over and sounds like it going to start, but dosent..... If you sit there for 5 or 10 minutes it will then start.... But this seems to be happening more frequently....

 

Anyone give me any help/advice to fix this please???

[Johndouglas]

Have you got your description right? It can't be diesel and also be 1.8. Diesels are 2ltr or 1.6 - but I don't think the 1.6 was an option in 2002. Anyway from what you say - when did you last change the fuel filter?

[poolielad]

Have you got your description right? It can't be diesel and also be 1.8. Diesels are 2ltr or 1.6 - but I don't think the 1.6 was an option in 2002. Anyway from what you say - when did you last change the fuel filter?

sorry for that... it is diesel and a 2ltr... thanks for that.

 

I have had the car about 2 years, I have never changed fuel filter, so dont really know last time it was changed, could you please tell me where the fuel filter is on this car??

[paul.h]

The fuel filter is at the front of the engine, you may need to remove the engine cover to see it.

[poolielad]

The fuel filter is at the front of the engine, you may need to remove the engine cover to see it.

How do I change this, how easy is it to do???

[coastline taxis]

If your not sure then id just put the car into a local garage and get a full service done on the engine. 

[poolielad]

So would you all say that fuel filter is the likely cause of this problem??? Or what else could it be...I dont really have much money to spend on putting it in a garage....if I can get away with it..

[coastline taxis]

well after 2 years its not going to help matters and must be changed.

 

Remove top engine cover 4 x plastic clips

As you look down on the engine you want to be looking at 6 oclock.

youle see a blck circular lump of plastic with 2 or 3 pipes going into it. if it has 2 pipes then youl see a plastic 27mm nut right in the center of of it. disconect the 2 pipes by pushing the plastic clips(either green or red irc) on the end of the pipe in and pulling pipe away. next pt socket on the nut and turn and the top of the filter housing will come away. replace with new filter and reverse the above procedure. once done put ignition on for 10 seconds ( do this a few times) to purge the air out.

 

If it has 3 pipes going into it then you need a special tool to remove the filter people sometimes use a hammer and chisel and some times it works and sometimes it smashes the filter housing so the choice is yours if you want to try it.

 

do the above procedure but where you come to using a socket you need istead to remove the corrogated ring on the outside top of the filter. put chisel (blunt) or screwdrivet and gently tap with a hammer till its slack enough to turn by hand.   the filters are different  so youl have to check and i strongly advise against using anything other than the right removal tool.

[poolielad]

 

I guess this must be it... so it as 3 pipes, i remove them then unscrew top, (which way does it turn?) and once opened is it just a matter of removing filter and putting new one in then putting pipes back on??? And thanks for the help..

 

[paul.h]

I would get a copy of the Haynes manual for your car, they are about £15 but may be in your local library. This gives a bit more info.

 

Your photo shows the fuel filter and inside should be a filter element that lifts out. Before starting take a photo (or use the one already done) to note where the fuel lines connect so they do not get mixed up. They disconnect by pushing in the coloured clips. Also disconnect the heater electrical connector from the top. Your filter is the type with the locking ring which needs to be undone (the 3 pipe version mentioned by coastline) and a google search on fuel filter locking ring tools comes up with various tools that will help undo it without causing damage. Then lift off the filter lid and remove any seals which should be renewed. Lift out the element and clean out the housing. Once refitted, check if you have a hand primer pump and if so use it to fill the filter with fuel, if not it may take a bit before the engine runs when starting.

 

The fuel filter may not be the cause of your problem but it should be changed every 3 years or 37500 miles if sooner according to the Haynes manual. Not starting or cutting out when hot could be something such as the crankshaft sensor failing. These can start to give problems once hot but then work ok once cooled down but will get worse. It could be other things such as a faulty temperature sensor or air flow meter or fuel pressure switch and you may end up needing a diagnostic check to find out what is wrong, otherwise you could start to replace lots of parts and waste a lot of money before finding the faulty one.

 

If the car has not been well maintained, something else that should be done every year is replacing the cabin pollen filter. If not there is a risk the ignition switch could fail and I vaguely remember this being a common fault on the Picasso - so something else to check against your starting problems.

[poolielad]

Thanks, before I do anything then, I think I am going to get a diagnostic check on it.... I know a guy who does them for £10... so I think thats the best thing to do..