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Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by mat_the_cat
Well, I had a week of the BX starting fine, but over the last 2 days it's taken longer and longer cranking over, now getting on for 30 seconds plus. I suspected an air leak as it improved pumping the bulb. This morning I noticed a small dribble from the bottom of the fuel filter housing, where (I think) the water in fuel sensor lives on other engines.
I'm at work now, so can't easily check it, but am I right in assuming it's just a screw in plug with an O ring underneath to seal it. I did screw in in slightly but the leak seemed to get worse...

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by Bx Bandit
tis so MAtt although it may be a copper washer rather than an O ring. Can't remember.

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by docchevron132
Copper washer it is, or at least is on every one I've ever seen...
I do have several spare housings if you need one, I've seen them crack around there before..

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by mat_the_cat
I'm about to have a look, must admit I'd be surprised if it was copper as that would be harder than the plastic housing...will see!

I wonder if we're talking about the same thing?
I mean the white thing above the tissue in this photo
Image

It turns but does not seem to tighten, and looks as if it is held in place by a cupped star washer. I'm going to wait till I get home to investigate but it definitely dribbles once the rubber bulb is pumped.

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by Bx Bandit
Citroen show this:

Image

and lists it as integral to the whole housing (integral as far as replacement goes anyway). Shows 2 seals but doesn't list them separately so don't know what size. I guess those ones are 'O' rings. Don't know what it does though :?

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by jayw
Well, looking at my one on the Zant i'd say it looks like a drain for the filter housing?

Mine does apear to tighten/loosen, but maybe yours is spring-loaded push to drain? Or, just the thread is knackered?

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by Philhod
[chin] Mine has one of them. Never touched it though. The drain is underneath with a plastic tube attached.

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by jonathan_dyane
That's the thermostatic valve which controls whether the diesel goes through the catacomb heater or takes the short cut. If you remove the filter housing from the car, you will be able to carefully remove the spring clip, withdraw the white thing and replace it's O ring.

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by jonathan_dyane
The bit which sometimes has a water-in-diesel sensor is round the corner, and the drainer on the front :D

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 11 May 2010
by mat_the_cat
Thanks guys. I didn't get as far as opening up the filter, got sidetracked with Landy electric window troubles and then noticed that the less-than-a-year-old leak off pipes had all split at the ends so replaced all those. Problem better but need to sort this little valve, probably tomorrow.

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 12 May 2010
by docchevron132
ahh that! I thought you meant something quite different!

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 12 May 2010
by Bx Bandit
jonathan_dyane wrote:That's the thermostatic valve which controls whether the diesel goes through the catacomb heater or takes the short cut. If you remove the filter housing from the car, you will be able to carefully remove the spring clip, withdraw the white thing and replace it's O ring.
So that's what it is!!!!!!!!! Nice one JD

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 12 May 2010
by Philhod
Ah! Clever, JD, I always thought the diesel got warmed up anyway when they moved the filtre onto the thermostat hsg. 8)

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 12 May 2010
by jonathan_dyane
It probably gets slightly warmed, but the thermostat only allows the diesel through the labyrinth in cold temperatures. On my old Xantia which I ran on 100% WVO I modified the arrangement, throwing away the thermostat and inserting a slightly filed down penny which had the affect of forcing the fuel through the labyrinth at all times.

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 12 May 2010
by Bx Bandit
Philhod wrote:Ah! Clever, JD, I always thought the diesel got warmed up anyway when they moved the filtre onto the thermostat hsg. 8)
Me too!

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 13 May 2010
by Vanny
and me

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 13 May 2010
by Philhod
:lol: You'll have to let chidders and co know. It will make a change reporting thermostatic valve probs instead of doseur. :lol:

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 13 May 2010
by mat_the_cat
Took it apart tonight, only to find the plastic was all brittle and disintegrated when I pushed it back in with a new O ring. Fortunately managed to find a spare so tomorrow morning will tell whether I've been successful. I did notice a lot of water in the bottom, especially considering it's only been about 3k miles since I changed the filter. So I've either got a water leak into the tank or I've picked up some dodgy fuel.

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 14 May 2010
by docchevron132
Probably the bolt with the stupid O ring...

Re: Another fucking starting problem

Posted: 14 May 2010
by Philhod
Seeing as it's atop the thermostat, I hope you don't have a leak there?????????????? :(