Starting Problems

[Peasemold]

[u]16v HDI Exclusive, Sep 1993 18000 miles, purchased after 12500 miles service in November 1994.[/u]

I don't know if this is related to the cut out problem reported by others but I have had a few random failures to start - about 1 a week.

This happens under all conditions, engine cold, engine hot etc, and has similar symptoms to an old petrol engine either flooding or having fuel starvation. The car either does not start or appears to start on less than 4 cylinders and runs for a few seconds with an unpleasant rattling noise. Leaving the car for a minute or two usually cures the problem. Last night the problem occured and after the car restarted the steering was heavy - this symptom has also been reported by others.

I guess these problems are software related - has anyone else had similar symptoms.

Otherwise very pleased with the car.

Peasemold

[hertsnminds]

In previous cars I have owned I know it is possible to get starting/cutting out problems if the fuel filler cap is such that it allows a vaccuum to be created in the fuel tank. Sometimes when you open the fuel filler cap you will get a whooshing sound (like someone breathing out heavily). If a vaccuum is being created the fuel might not be getting to the engine. This usually only happens on hot days when some of the fuel in the tank evaporates.

Another thing could be a dirty fuel filter, when was the car last serviced? The fuel filter on the HDi should be bled and replaced every 12,500 miles.

Ian
Orange 03 Senso

[StephenM]

My berlingo 1.6 does something similar - but only under cold and damp conditions,
dealer claims to have eventually fixed it (an electrical fault they claim) but only time
will tell as it was sporadic.

The car would sometimes take a few goes to start, then ran like it was on 2 cyclinders
(or had just become on old desiel!) it cleared after a few minutes.

Only did it about 10 times over the winter.