PLEASE HELP...what is this noise?

[danoffset]

hi guys,
i have 2000 hdi 2l 406 (90). over the last couple of months i've it's started making some odd behavier.

not all the time but sometimes when i start it, it makes like a buzzing noise, it will increase and i can feel the vibrations through the pedals. it does this if i have let the engine go cold, but it won't do it all the time. i thought maybe it's the fuel pump pressurizing the system but surely it wouldn't stay on. if i drive the car a coulpe of miles and turn it off and restart it, it will go away.

i think it's coming from the engine bay somewhere, if i swith the ignition on it will sometimes do it for a couple of seconds then stop, and when i start it, it comes back again.

does anyone have any idea what this is or has had the same problem? i'd be very grateful if someone could help and shine a light! cheers guys

[Welly]

My 110 used to make a sort of whizzing noise on ignition as the fuel pump in the tank kicked-in. Sometimes it would kinda 'sing' a bit like the fuel was being forced through a small flap or something

The fuel gets by-passed through a pre-heater exchanger when it's cold via a thermostatic valve and the thermostat housing I think. I certainly noticed this noise more when cold.

Feeling this through the pedals is weird though

I'm wondering whether your fuel filter needs changing and is giving out this unusual noise somehow?

[gumby6371]

Not familiar with HDi's but maybe something around the fuel pump if it does it with just ignition on as I don't think much mechanical stuff runs from just the ignition. But hey, I'm a logistician not a mechanic I'm sure you'll get better advice soon mate.

[gumby6371]

I said better advice would come soon and sure enough Welly posts before I've finished typing

[steve_earwig]

Does it rise with revs? Starter motor pinion stuck perhaps, mine does this when the weather's cold but only for a second or so.

[danoffset]

hey guys,
thanks for the all the replies. no it doesn't increase as i rev it, it's just a constant buzzing/whizzing noise. like i said though it doesn't always do it. but it's definately getting annoying.
i've lifted the bonnet and it sounds as if it's coming from under the big peugeot cover, rather than the rear end of the car.
where is the fuel filter located on these cars? some posts have said it's in the tank at the back and you have to drop it out, if it was the filter would i still hear it coming from the front under the bonnet?
i've tried adding Redex in with the diesel incase the system is dirty, checked air filter, water/powersteering level, all are fine. but still no joy.

so guys, have we anymore ideas? cheers Dan

[DiscoPol]

Hi Dan,

the fuel filter is at the front of the engine to the right and slightly higher than the oil filter if you undo the clips/fasteners on your engine cover and lift it off you can see it clearly, its the black housing with a few pipes going in and out about the size of a family sized can of beans.

If your Peugeot engine cover is still fully attached im impressed, the fixings usually disintegrate and the thing is loose, this also causes the dipstick to rise up on its own and just generally rattles about, mines in the shed till i flog the car

be warned the fuel filter housing can be an absolute bitch to get the lid off so you can change the filter, if you are going to do a filter change also be aware there are two types of filter used on the HDIs the Bosch (most common) and the Siemens.

I found when i did my filter a couple of weeks ago it was easier to unclip all the hoses connected by pressing in the little tab on the connectors and removing the whole filter housing and working on it in a vice to get the lid off, but be careful its not uncommon for the housing to crack and then its a trip to the stealers to get a new housing at about 38 quid IIRC or a scrappies but then you might just end up in the same boat with a housing that is a bitch to get into.

another thing to watch out for is keeping the pipe ends clean you dont want to get crap into the fuel system so the fingers off an old rubber glove work well to just pull over any exposed pipe ends whilst you are fighting with the housing

It sounds like a right bitch off a job but its not that bad its just worth the heads up first if you are looking at doing it.

Good luck

Polski