Citroen XM Forum

No a few mins later it won't start again. I wonder if leak off pipe diameter is too big, they fitted too easily.

I had bad cold starting problems on my 2.1TD some time after fitting some cheap unbranded ebay sourced diesel leak off pipe. The pipe swelled and split where it was stretched over the injector nipples leading to diesel leakage and air ingress. I junked the pipe and replaced it with some made to an ASTM standard and the starting problem disappeared.

Ken

Replaced the pipe with a better one and still won't start. This is driving me up the wall. The problem is definitely from the fuel pump side of things, either the fuel pump or anything that side of it.

Any bubbles in the fuel pipe now?

Try pulling the plunger out of the stop solenoid then refitting it, run the engine then stall it to stop it if it won't stop on the key, then try running it again.

No there's no bubbles now, which gave me hope.

What would be the purpose of removing solenoid and refitting with the plunger? Won't be able to try this til it's light again.

That way you know it isn't the stop solenoid causing the problem.

Well if it was the solenoid wouldn't this mean it wouldn't start at all? It does start, usually only after cracking open an injector pipe whilst turning it over and closing it again.

The gf's dad asked me when the glows were last changed, and it made me realise that I don't know....I've not changed them since I've had the car. Going to replace them all tomorrow and hopefully this will help.

Had a quick look at the glows and the 3rd and 4th look like they can be a bit of a pig to get out, the metal bracket for the coolant header tank is obstructing access, does anyone with a 2.5 have any tips, hopefully John can help me out here.

If you run without a stop solenoid plunger the engine runs on after the ignition is switched off.
You have to stall the car to stop the engine.
3 of the glow plugs can be got at without too much trouble.
At least that is the way for those that have been there a few times.
The one behind the pump is more difficult.
Think I have a bent spanner.
Dropped feed wire nuts are the real pain, happens however careful you are.
Having no spares can make things even worse.
Get the correct plugs and preferably Beru or Bosch.
Check out the glow plug relay wiring first.
Burnt and broken feed wires are common on 2.5's.
Defective relays are not unkown.
Yours will be the rather unique 2+2 glow plug setup fitted to the early 2.5's.

John

Thanks for that. Can I ask what a 2+2 glow plug setup is. I would have thought the one behind the header tank would have been the difficult one, one behind pump didn't look difficult but will look properly in daylight tomorrow. Will have a magnetic retriever at the ready when removing the feed wire nuts. I have a S shaped spanner, hopefully that will access it.

Where is the glow plug relay?