Citroen AX (Carbs) cutting out

[Lordbenny]

Just bought an immaculate 1998 Citroen AX GT Sportif (carburettor model) as a run-around. Its been sitting on my mate's driveway for about a year & he did say he had a problem cutting out but I bought it anyway!

So, I managed to start it & it cut out whilst driving it around the block. Got it home & had a look, the small mahle inline fuel filter was only half full...thats not right is it? I took off the mechanical fuel pump, had a look and it 'seems' to be ok.

Looking round the car I noticed under the n/side wheel arch, next to the fuel filler cap/inlet, there was a small tube with a ball bearing in. Is this some sort of cut out switch? Could it be responsible? I suppose there could be crap in the tank but I don't think thats the problem.

Please help.

[ol' dirty]

How does it cut out? On Idle, or does it bog down when you open the throttle?

IIRC they have a manual choke? Check to see if it stays off once warm.

ETA, that pipe with a ball bearing in it, could that be a breather for the tank when filling up?

Edited by ol' dirty on Tuesday 15th April 08:54

[Lordbenny]

It dosn't start at all now. The fuel filter is only half full. How do I check if my mechanical fuel pump is working. I've taken it out & the spring seems ok but I cant tell whether its sucking & blowing.

Your right the ball bearing device is a breather.

[ol' dirty]

If you can depress the lever for the pump, just place a bit of pipe on the end & shove it in a small container of fuel & get pumping!

Are you sure its a fuel problem? What else have you looked at?
Try pulling the plugs out & see if they are wet, or falling apart.

Next would be, rotor arm & dizzy cap then check to see if the vacuum advance works (not sure how you could do this- but I would make sure none of the vacuum pipes were perished & that it is all free'd up inside the dizzy)