Russ's 2.1 SED Auto now in Mandarin

[messerschmitt owner]

Paul
it's not an if he can get a hoist, it's a when!

[russ92xmsed]

Well, the last few days the Mandarin car has been a bit sluggish to start from cold. Total opposite to the grey one!
It starts a little reluctantly and then you need to give it some revs to even out a slight struggle in idle. But any other time within that day, it's great. Ie when it's all warmed up.
So initial thoughts... Fuel filter head. But no smoke and no sluggish driving.not any of the symptoms I experienced last time the filter head went. I will change this one for my other one once I can.
Anyway, second thought was fuel filter. Checked the very comprehensive service history to find the last fuel filter change was 2011. So found my spare and did the deed this afternoon. It was mucky.
It does start much better. Idles fine after a bit, but it still needs some revs, some initial oomph to stop it from what feels like possibly stalling. I do wonder if there is some air ingress somewhere. I have nipped up the fuel pipe jubilee clips up.
Anyway, we will see how it goes.

Otherwise not much else to report. Did a big dump run yesterday the car swallowed loads of bags of cardboard and garden waste. Been busy clearing the garage this weekend to get the grey XM in. Going well so far. Car will hopefully be in this week fingers crossed.

[citroenxm]

Thirdly .. or did I miss it russ heater plugs. Id say possibly one or two dead?

Is the car also a bosch or that epicly rubbish lucas?

[russ92xmsed]

Bosch Pump Paul. Non of that epic stuff. The glow plugs were replaced 17 dec 2013. How's that for accuracy. Love a full service history!! hence why I ruled them out.

[citroenxm]

I wouldnt!! Never rule them out. They can last anything from a Day to months to years!!

REALLY they can. Uess you remove them and physically test them.. and also the bosch one behind the pump is soooo bad whats the solid gaurentee it HAS been changed.. mechanics tend to miss it out because they cant be bothered. So unless rob actually saw that one being changed then.......

[russ92xmsed]

Oh right. Well I'll see how it goes for now and then look into them then. It would make sense.

[captainhaddock]

Interesting how sometimes fuel filters can be mucky the one time and clean the next as I experienced as well. I was thinking the same, glow plugs when I read your story. What I do not know, is how long the service interval should be for them. Can't find that info anywhere. Mine still starts wonderfully fast and well but I've never changed them. I did pick up somewhere not all glow plugs are of the same quality.

[russ92xmsed]

Well I suppose that's why I discounted them initially as I knew they hadn't been in the car for long. They are NGK plugs. But it does seem there are glow plugs and glow plugs. My grey one fires up so well, it's a bit frustrating!
I have no idea either Jaap how long they are meant to last for. Seems good ones do last....

[russ92xmsed]

New fuel filter has seemed to do wonders. Two glow plug pre heats also saw it start a lot lot better. But it should be only one. So will see if that works next time. Can't do it today, as it starts very quickly now due to being all nice an d warm.

[CitroJim]

That's good Russ

I have no proof except my own experience but NGK glowplugs don't seem to be the best so maybe if you swap them for say, a set of BERU ones - which again in my experience worked well - you may find an improvement.

That was a few years ago now when I used to run 1.9 and 2.1TD Xantias.