Many Different Problems - Weeks Away From The Scrapman?

[JoeSmalley91]

Hi everyone,

 

I stumbled across this forum online, and it looked really good compared to the others! I was wondering if anyone out there could help me with the problems that I've been having?

 

My car is as follows -

 

Citroen Xsara LX

2001

1.4

100,000 miles on clock

 

I'm quite new to mechanics but have been enjoying doing little bits and bobs, changed the spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, put on new alternator belt (it snapped) and have bought all the stuff to do the oil change :)

 

over the past few weeks there has been another problem however, and i'm unsure what to do about it.

 

This is what has happened

 

• one of the lights has come on on the dashboard that looks like a pump

• the car is low on power, but when you get to about 3000rpm it kicks in/drives fine

• the car chugs a bit when in low revs (like there isnt enough fuel??)

 

I read on here that it might be a clogged filter, so I ordered a new one and changed that but to no avail, but this definitely hasn't hurt the car has it :)

 

I think I know what the offending part is that isn't working properly, but I'm not sure if this is the cause of the problem, or if its just broken because of the original problem? If you know what I mean..

 

There is what looks like an external pump on the fuel tank next to the oil filter, I was unsure what it is because I thought that my car would have an internal pump, anyway this is making a strange noise that sounds like a motor that is knackered on the inside, like a scratching noise.

 

I cant find any leaks on any of the hoses etc, and I think my fuel pressure must be low, hence the lack of power so presumably this is the offending part?

 

By lack of power I mean I'm literally struggling to go above 50 unless I drop it down a gear and really give it some, then as soon as I can keep the revs up, it kicks in just fine.

 

I've posted a picture of the part so you can see what I mean :) Really keen to find out what it actually is

 

what are everyone’s thought's on this?

 

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

The light on the dash, is it the engine management light that looks like this https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=eml+light+symbol&biw=1172&bih=881&tbm=isch&imgil=O4PMQIahQ_szmM%253A%253BiOqTrjMnSmNjAM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.discountvwaudicentre.co.uk%25252Fdiagnostics.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=O4PMQIahQ_szmM%253A%252CiOqTrjMnSmNjAM%252C_&usg=__zmbLoghM9smimEshW3YsGAB2CLI%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjOptyo0uTLAhVD8RQKHUVGCbEQyjcILw&ei=ysz5Vs6ZB8PiU8WMpYgL

 

If so you need to use a code reader to get the fault code which should give a good idea of what is wrong. If it is the eml, the lack of power will then be a result of the car being in limp mode.

 

Off hand, I do not know what that part is in your pictures without looking at the parts diagrams. Is it connected to the fuel lines ?

[JoeSmalley91]

Hi Paul,

 

Yes that's the light that I mean!

 

Would you say i'm better off buying a code reader online? I've seen them for about fifty quid and they dont look too bad

 

what does limp mode mean?

 

Yes that part is attached to the fuel lines, it comes just after the filter - I think it goes, tank, filter, then that unknown part, then goes underneath the car towards the front/engine

 

I really appreciate this.

 

Joe

[paul.h]

If you buy a code reader one that gives some live data of the engine sensors is better. As an example this one from Gendan https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FXNT200.html

 

Limp mode is if there is an engine management fault, the engine is run in a preset condition (such as fuel/air ratio) so the car can be run home or to a garage but the performance is limited so the exhaust emissions are not too great.

 

That device is a fuel pressure regulator set at 3.5 bar so I do not think your problem is related to it. On earlier models it was installed on the end of the fuel rail at the engine end but needed a long return pipe to the tank. There is a procedure that is probably not relevant now you have run the car:

 

New 3,5 bar fuel pressure regulator.

New engine management ECU (with long pre-control of the fuel pump).

4. Identification

4.1. Identifying the fittings

New assembly : The fuel pressure regulator is mounted on the fuel tank.

Previous assembly : The fuel pressure regulator is mounted on the end of the injector supply rail.

 

5. Interchangeability

CAUTION : Mixing old and new parts is prohibited.

N.B. : Rebuild the parts corresponding to the original description.

Both old and new parts are available from the Replacement Parts Division.

 

6. Repair

6.1. Recommendations

ESSENTIAL : Pressurise the "new assembly" fuel circuit in the following cases : After any work requiring the fuel circuit to be opened. After replacing the engine management ECU. After a downloading operation.

Pressurising the fuel circuit requires a procedure called "long pre-control" of the fuel pump.

The long pre-control of the fuel pump is used to fill and pressurise the supply circuit with fuel.

The long pre-control therefore prevents starting from taking too long (several tens of seconds).

 

6.2. Pressurising the fuel supply circuit : First method

Erase the faults.

Test the fuel pump actuators 2 times Using a diagnostic tool.

N.B. : An actuator test lasts  10 seconds.

 

6.3. Pressurising the fuel supply circuit : Second method

Erase the faults.

Switch off the ignition.

Depress the accelerator pedal fully.

Switch on the ignition.

Hold the pedal fully down (for  1 second) : The fuel pump operates for between 20 and 30 seconds.

Switch off the ignition after the fuel pump stops.

[balam37]

 

If you buy a code reader one that gives some live data of the engine sensors is better. As an example this one from Gendan https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FXNT200.ht   

 

 

 

Hi Paul,

 What I was wondering is,- is this code reader suitable for my xsara 1.4 2000 model, and where is the socket for it on my car ?

 

Thanks a lot for your help in advance.

Barrie.

[paul.h]

That code reader should work on your car but you are best to get the supplier to confirm this.

 

The diagnostic socket has to be within reach of the driver's seat but is connected to the bsi (cabin fuse box). So have a look at the fuse box first. On a C3 and 2001 to 2008 C5 the socket is next to this fuse box, on our C4 it is at the bottom of the dash central panel, hidden away, on a 2008 on C5 it is at the bottom of the central arm rest compartment.