Citroen Xsara Picasso 2005 1.6 tdi fuel problem

[danyel84]

Hi, Im having trouble with starting my Xsara. It starts then after 20 seconds stops then will turn over but no fire. I have since learnt that the fuel is running back into the tank from the engine and to get it started I have to pump what appears to be the primer at the top of the engine to draw the fuel back - then it starts. These incidents do not happen all the time, why is this happening ? Any ideas please welcome. Many thanks

[Strong Horse]

Fuel filter?

[Strong Horse]

Im a but stumped. Perhaps a fuel pipe is letting air in and would need replacing is my best guess but there is someine here that knows the answer I suspect.

[sunbeam alpine]

Hi OP! Your post doesn't indicate whether the car keeps running once you have "primed" it with the manual pump. If this is what happens, it could be that your car has an electric fuel pump in the tank (or in the fuel line) and a mechanical pump on the engine, and that the electrical pump is failing.

[Coilspring]

Sounds like an air leak in the fuel system.

Any parts been changed lately? Fuel filter been disturbed? Fuel primer got slight split in it?