a couple of niggles

[Welly]

Here's that thread I was on about.......viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4460&p=72730#p72730

[welshviking]

Here's that thread I was on about.......viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4460&p=72730#p72730

Thanks for the link, just been out to both cars the 406 and the Picasso hdi, my wife turned on the ignition on one than the other half a dozen times or so and both sound exactly the same so after all this my fuel pump may be Ok. Its just the 406 does not start as good as the picasso but off course that could be down to the mileage...Picasso 82k and 406 158k (ignore my 155k i put yesterday i was tired after nights !!!! )..i will get there in the end but don't want to spend money when i don't have to .....Colin

[Captain Jack]

Can you please explain exactly what you mean buy "poor starting"? Does it turn for ages before firing? Or does it fire straight away from runs rough for the few few seconds? Cold? Hot?

@ Welly's engine impression

[Welly]

both sound exactly the same

That's what I was trying to say before. You see, the lift pump either works or it doesn't there's not really anything in between. In other words as long as it can lob some diesel up to the main filter then the car will start, if not, it won't.

Just before it fails it will sound horrible, noticeable, and occasionally will be stuck solid - requiring a good whack of the tank.

Just for noting don't crank a HDi over if you know the lift pump's off because it will wear the HP pump.

[welshviking]

Can you please explain exactly what you mean buy "poor starting"? Does it turn for ages before firing? Or does it fire straight away from runs rough for the few few seconds? Cold? Hot?

@ Welly's engine impression

The picasso starts straight away as soon as you turn the key the same as my old 2001 Citroen Xantia hdi use to. The 406 takes anything between 5-10 seconds with the starter engaged before it starts,it was worse when i first purchased the car but it is better since I put half a bottle of forte injection cleaner directly into the fuel filter and the rest into the fuel tank but to me it should be better than it is ....Colin

[Welly]

takes anything between 5-10 seconds with the starter engaged before it starts

That's not right, but finding the problem could be a nightmare. I suspect the previous keeper was told all kinds of scary stories so just sold it on. I hope it's something simple for you but dread that it's had petrol through it recently and subsequently went down hill. Does it pull hard from 1800 to 2800 rpm?.

If it was me I'd start with a code read and some live data readings at somewhere who knows there stuff (the 406 ecu isn't exactly 'clever')

[welshviking]

takes anything between 5-10 seconds with the starter engaged before it starts

That's not right, but finding the problem could be a nightmare. I suspect the previous keeper was told all kinds of scary stories so just sold it on. I hope it's something simple for you but dread that it's had petrol through it recently and subsequently went down hill. Does it pull hard from 1800 to 2800 rpm?.

If it was me I'd start with a code read and some live data readings at somewhere who knows there stuff (the 406 ecu isn't exactly 'clever')

Thanks for all your help, Once started it pulls like a train and is a pleasure to drive and the tick over is very steady. I have just texted my mate who has just opened his own garage and have asked him to put it on his diagnostic machine, just waiting for him to reply to me, will let you know the outcome once it has been hooked up...Colin

[Doggy]

Both my old Xsara Hdi 90 & the 406 start in the same way, (much as Welly says), neither starts instantly, but turn over for perhaps 2 - 3 seconds, then fire - exactly the same cold, hot, or anywhere in between. It's so predictable that you subconsciously let go of the key at the right time without noticing whether it's actually running.

Mine used to go: wah wah wah wah wah.......Kalang alanga alanga

Interesting - Welly, how des the Volvo sound?
or the Astra?
the BMW?
Mazda?
Honda?

[Welly]

Interesting - Welly, how does the Volvo sound?

Kinda ......chaugh chaugh chaugh.....wooossschee.....mom mom mom mom mom mom

Then bong bong bong: "seat belt"

bong bong bong: "door"

bong bong bong: "there's no-one in the back even though I caught you opening one of the back doors the seat belts aren't in use, are you ok with this?" press-OK

bong bong bong: "you've put something on the front seat which makes me think a tiny 5-pound person is sitting there WITHOUT there seatbelt on - what are you going to do about it?"

Beep beep beep: "you didn't put your seat belt on 50 mtrs ago so now I'm going to really frigging beep you through the stereo instead"

The Astra goes: "Oh no not again, please just leave me here, there's a Bus service you know - or a Taxi maybe .....she uses inappropriate revs when my oil's cold and she holds me on the clutch at traffic lights......pleeeeeease leave me alone.....I want my Daddy"

[teamster1975]

[lofty]

I'm sure my 1999 HDi had the traditional 'oil can' warning but I'm wondering if the later models just show the 'STOP' light?

My 2001 110 HDI lx has the Oil Can warning light as well. And the STOP light.

[mjb]

I just get annoyed by the "beeeeeeeeeep HANDBRAKE ON"

Yes I know the handbrake's on. I've got my thumb on the button, I'm pulling it as hard as I can and the back end's sliding sideways. How could I NOT notice that it's on?

Tempted to "fix" the handbrake switch

[Doggy]

Mine did that going round Asda's car park in the snow - Mrs Doggy thinks I need to get it fixed

[welshviking]

Have not posted for a while so tell you where i am up to, remember i had already gave it a service and replaced the knackered auxillary belt ....so I took it to my mates garage and he checked the fuel pump which was fine then i had had all the fault codes checked (only 3 showed, i expected loads and loads) the 3 were maf sensor which was found too be dirty my mate cleaned it with some fluid he uses and and seems better now, brake pedal switch (which he found to have been already replaced so must have be an old code)and a code for a problem with the diesel flow (that's all i know sorry) he found 2 of the small injector pipes was split and spiting diesel out (so i bought a kit and replaced them all)he also found a duff glowplug so i did not mess around i just replaced all 4 plugs. Anyway starting a lot better and enjoying the car until the last 2 days when i heard a loud banging from the left side of the engine (left as you look into the engine from the front) . On inspection today my crank pulley has disentergrated , Luckily i managed to remove the old one easily and have ordered a new one and will replace next week when i have finished my next set of shifts in work ...one day oh one day the car will be ok !!!!!!

p.s the crank pulley bolt has a slightly rounded head on it, does anyone know apart from the main stealers were i can purchase a new one...Thanks Colin

[poddack]

Phew, what a nightmare! At some point I would take the EGR valve off and give it a good clean (or replace it). They like to clog up with oil and soot and give you less oomph! I would also look at your tank strainer, see my post before and after.