Non starter after fitting new fuel filter , help please!

[Richie83]

Hello all been browsing the forums for a few days some very useful reads! Thought id best register and say hi, this is the first 406 ive owned, had a couple of 306 d turbos in the past must say the 406 is a nicer drive

Up until I decided to do a service anyway! I now have a problem with my 406 HDi 90 not starting after I replaced the fuel filter element, its the siemens type fuel filter casing with a rubber bulb to prime the system. I think I may of tried starting the car when the fuel filter housing was not full of fuel and guessing I have dragged air into the system causing it to not start?

I Have since primed the fuel until full up and can see the fuel passing out the clear outlet pipe but still the car will not fire up just turns over and over until i end up killing the battery I have tried removing the casing again and checked the seal all seems ok..

Any ideas what else I can do to get her started as was running fine before i decided to do a service, just wish I hadnt bothered with the fuel filter as I need the car for monday

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

Rich.

[D4B]

Hi Rich,

Welcome. Recently changed the fuel filter on mine, a 2002 2.0 Hdi 110.

I was told to prime the fuel filter after refitting by switching the ignition on for a few seconds without cranking engine, repeated this about 4 times,
then it started instantly. I think I watched this vid before attempting the job:

http://youtu.be/wa3OeeKmSOU

hope you get it sorted.

[Richie83]

Hi, thanks for that but turning on my ignition doesn't seem to do anything cant see any fuel moving through the pipes or hear the pump going, it must be different on my model hence the manual hand pump bulb thingy to self prime.

[jasper5]

Hi Rich, welcome

Best thing to do is to take off the main filter outlet pipe and put your finger over the end of the pipe where it comes out of the filter then pump the bulb, release your finger whilst the bulb is pressed all the way and let the air out, replace your finger then repeat until only fuel squirts out, refit the pipe and start up.

If you are having trouble getting fuel through then try to get the front of the car facing downhill to help the fuel flow.

[Richie83]

Thanks for the reply I have just tried that got a nice squirt of diesel when releasing my finger but the car still wouldn't start just keeps turning over, and occasionally sounds like its going to start for a second then nothing, now ive drained the battery again for the 3rd time arghh this is getting annoying now.

Would it help at all if i crack open one of the nuts on the metal fuel lines going into the injectors to try force any air out?

Thanks

[Uberderv]

Hi Rich,

Welcome. Recently changed the fuel filter on mine, a 2002 2.0 Hdi 110.

I was told to prime the fuel filter after refitting by switching the ignition on for a few seconds without cranking engine, repeated this about 4 times,
then it started instantly. I think I watched this vid before attempting the job:

http://youtu.be/wa3OeeKmSOU

hope you get it sorted.

That procedure is for Bosch injection system as it has an in tank pump. Siemens has a built in suction pump, which I'd imagine is full of air stopping it creating a vacuum. You need to turn engine over while someone pumps the primer bulb to get diesel into the pump.

[Uberderv]

Would it help at all if i crack open one of the nuts on the metal fuel lines going into the injectors to try force any air out?

Thanks

No don't its very dangerous on a CR engine.

[jasper5]

Thanks for the reply I have just tried that got a nice squirt of diesel when releasing my finger but the car still wouldn't start just keeps turning over, and occasionally sounds like its going to start for a second then nothing, now ive drained the battery again for the 3rd time arghh this is getting annoying now.

Would it help at all if i crack open one of the nuts on the metal fuel lines going into the injectors to try force any air out?

Thanks

If you can get the front of the car facing downhill with your battery fully charged you should be able to start it if you have a nice flow of fuel out of the filter.
I've had these like this before.

[Richie83]

The cars currently on level ground if anything the rears slightly down slope, would it help to jack the rear up a bit? And ill prime the hand pump whilst trying to start hopefully this works! Will give it a go once the battery's charged cheers!

[Richie83]

Thanks guys for the help I managed to get it started!!

Got the wife to crank it over whilst I primed the hand pump she fired up after about 10 seconds, well happy now thanks again!

[Uberderv]

Good news Remember always fill yer filter before starting

[jasper5]

Good stuff

[D4B]

Nice one

[Captain Jack]

I don't think there's anything better than the sound of an apparently dead engine starting up!

I remember having these issues with my 110 when one of the injectors was knackered - it simply wouldn't start at the end without a squirt of EasyStart. After replacing the faulty injector, it started in half a turn and I was stood there, proud of my achievement, watching and listening to the engine burble...