Diesel pug cutting out and fast idle

[Spathodus77]

My wifes Peugeot 106 1.5D has suffered an issue with low/erratic fuel consumption since the summer. Sometimes she gets 50mpg from a tank sometimes 35mpg. When she got the car 5 years ago she generally saw 60mpg. We had both thought that this would be a case of we'll sort it out when we get time/remember etc...

For while the car has only been starting on three glow plugs; this is fine in the summer and in the winter the car can run a bit lumpy for 60 secs or so.

On Weds the wife went to start the car and it caught first time, she then got out the car to clear snow from the windows and the engine cut out. When she tried to restart the car it was n't playing ball - she thought flat battery so caught the bus. Later that day she tried again to start the car and "it was classic flat battery" (i.e. it still would n't start).

We jump started the car, it started and was running OK. However, when I detached the jump leads and waited a couple of minutes the idle started to become increasingly lumpy - I jumped in and took the car for a 1 mile drive and on returning it was fine, so a ten mile blast up the duel carriageway to charge the battery was undertaken - again all fine.

Today the car started first time but had a really fast idle, the wife drove it a very short distance and turned it off. When she returned to the car five minutes later it started immediately but then cut out. It took several tries to get it started.

Any thoughts on what is going on? I'm stumped.

Thanks,

Ralph

[littleredrooster]

I think you need to replace the glow plugs. Despite what the dashboard light says, they are actually energised and needed for about 30s during a cold start in winter weather. They keep the engine running until self-ignition can take place.

[Huntsman]

When were the fuel filters last changed?

[one eyed mick]

Fuel filters ,glow plugs ,air filter check all pipe connections ,battery earths and stop control wiring , run a tin of fuel system cleaner through it and other than changing injectors you have covered it HTH

[duncancallum]

Two things, diesel run on solenoid or the waxstat that is located underneath the stat housing.

Glow plugs on these are purely for starting.

[Old Merc]

Two things the 106 diesel suffers with.A large egg shaped multiplug down by the near side of the rad gets red hot and burns.This is part of the glow plug wiring so may be part of your problem?? Also the valves in the head have been known to "sink" causing the valve clearances to disappear.

[Spathodus77]

Firstly, thanks to all who replied. I have now ruled out the following as potential causes:

Preheating system: plugs changed and when I wire one to the positive and earth it using a jump lead whilst keeping the plug out of the block it glows nicely.
Battery: not really a contender anyway but I took the old one to Quik-fit because it was under warranty. Battery was unserviceable so has been changed for a new one.
Fuel pump/fuel filter: cracking off one of the nuts on the high pressure hoses and cranking the engine leads to fuel leaking out rapidly. Similar happens when the low pressure leak off pipes are disconnected.
Air filter: still need to check this (but only changed 6K miles ago).

I therefore consider injectors the most likely cause. We have been offered another car so unless there are any other cheap causes to check it looks like the 106 will be heading to the breakers.

Any further ideas?

Thanks,

Ralph

[agent006]

My wife's 106 had a similar problem last year. She tracked it down to air in the fuel line. Bled it and upped the idle slightly and has been fine since.