C3 Fuel Pump Possible Problem

[Carrie_lj]

:angry:

 

Hi I wonder if anyone can help me, I have a C3 1.4HDI (04 plate), for the last couple of weeks the car will not start from cold, or rather it will but then completely dies on me and either me or my partner have to get out to prime the fuel back through the engine (basically pump the air back out to let the Diesel back through).!!!!

 

Basically when you then try starting it once it cuts out the engine is ticking over but thats it, when the engine is primed and the fuel starts getting back through it will start and runs fine. This also happens regardless how much fuel is in the car!!!!!!

 

Has anyone else had the same problem or know what could be causing this as I don't particularly want to pay for a new fuel pump when this may not be the cause of the problem, any help would be greatly appreciated as I am at the end of my tether as to what is causing this problem.

 

Hope this makes sense if not let me know I am desperate for some help

 

Cheers

 

Carrie :huh:

[sjw]

I know this is an old thread but I was browsing to find exactly this problem! Did you ever find a solution?

 

Just had my C3 1.4 HDi 04 serviced including fuel filter change. It now behaves similarly to yours although sometimes all is well if the engine is started with foot on the throttle (never used to need this).

At times it stalls after 10 seconds then refuses to start without manual fuel pump being used - and during this lots of air bubbles/foam appears in the clear part of the fuel line. There is also the sound of air being sucked in as I use the pump (quieter than the obligatory sharp intake of breath from all good mechanics).

I had hoped it was just air in the system that needed purging but the problem continues.

 

To add to the fun the orange engine light sometimes comes on and stays on until engine has been off for a couple of hours.

 

Car runs really well once started, no sign of smoke from exhaust. Mechanic is baffled - no fault codes showing, no leak or even smell of diesel.

 

Any ideas... anyone... please.

 

Thanks

 

Steve

[paul.h]

I think I have read something like this before, possibly on the C5 pages. It sounds as if fuel may be draining out of the fuel filter when the engine is stopped. It could be the fuel filter needs re-doing and its seals checking for correct fitting/damage - there may be a small gap/hole that seals under pressure but not vacuum - try and find where you can hear air being sucked in when using the pump that you have mentioned. A search on all the forums might also help.

[sjw]

Thanks for the advice - the car is booked in to have a replacement filter tomorrow. Will let you know.

 

Steve

[iannez]

you will need a non return valve on the return from the spill off pipes. there a couple of quid from a dealer and take around 5 min to fit.

[sjw]

New filter seemed to do trick for 2 days then problem returned! Just had pipes around hand pump and hand pump itself replaced (60€ + labour) and so far so good. Engine starts without using accelerator now which it wouldn't do when air was in system. Fingers crossed...

[sjw]

New tubes & pump seem to have fixed it. The old hand pump or its connection was letting air in. As you suggested, under pressure it was fine & no diesel leaked out but under vacuum it was allowing air in. I suppose that disturbing the connection to replace the filter was too much for its tired old tubes (car has done 220,000km now & this is the first problem we have had!).

 

Thanks to all for ideas and advice

 

Steve

[paul.h]

Pleased it is sorted, is this the highest mileage C3, I would think most are used round town and only cover a few miles.