v50 2.0d starting problem.....another

[alltalk]

At first I had an intermittent starting problem - every so often would run the battery flat trying to start. Put jump leads on and it would start first time.
Last time I got stuck was next to a garage luckily. He diagnosed a leak from the pipe going in to the fuel filter - ive had a primer fitted to this pipe before by the way - he cut a bit off, refitted it and the car started.
After this I noticed lots of bubbles in the clear fuel line after the filter.
The car has always been sluggish to start - really slow first turn then spins quicker before starting.
Now I am really struggling to start the car. Lots of bubbles most of the time after the filter. My garage has replaced the o ring on the fuel filter housing to no effect really. My car has the y hose into the throttle body so Im assuming cleaning that wont help.
What should I look to change first? Fuel filter housing maybe?
My garage says he thinks the starter motor is struggling to turn over quick enough and that might be a contributing factor - I cant see why this would be but who knows.
I thought to put a clear hose before the filter to see if I have air getting in before that but noone local sells it.
Just not sure what to try next and don't have much confidence in the garage - any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[cheshired5]

Could be the symptom of a leaking injector.
Carry out a leak off test. Cheap, quick and easy.

[alltalk]

someone else suggested that a few months ago - been tested and all ok
really think its something to do with all that air

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by alltalk

someone else suggested that a few months ago - been tested and all ok
really think its something to do with all that air

When you say all ok, what are the leak back limits for your type of injector? What were yours showing? What was the variance across the board?

[alltalk]

sorry - dont know the details.
was just told by the garage that there wasnt a problem. they did the test and I had no reason to question
I found some clear hose - no air before filter but plenty after so guess ill have to change the fuel filter housing anyway - £42 +vat from peugeot - bonus

[cheshired5]

I have a different filter setup, so don't know about this bubbles issue.
Amongst fellow owners, is this definitely not how it should be?
Should it only be bubble free?

Leak back test is very simple if you ever want to do it yourself.
My video here shows you how http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bbQhKjj6jis
Mine's a D5, so I needed 5 metres of tubing. You'll only need 4.

[KBB]

Originally Posted by alltalk

At first I had an intermittent starting problem - every so often would run the battery flat trying to start. Put jump leads on and it would start first time.

Common rail systems need a cranking RPM of 220-250 RPM to generate rail pressure and to initiate injector activation. By jumping with another battery you have increased the cranking speed to the correct threshold for starting.

I would first have the battery drop tested to access its condition as diesels with draw initial 400 amps on the starter circuit. If the battery passes the test then conduct voltage drop test on the supply and ground side of the starter circuit as and voltage drop will lead to slow starter RPM. Eliminate the simple starter circuit faults before looking at the fuel system.

[alltalk]

ok makes sense a bit
ever since Ive owned the car it has a slow cranking speed but always started
could the combination of slow speed (hence low pressure) and excessive air in the sytem be the cause as it can't generate enough pressure to crank its way through the air?
The cranking speed has always appeared a bit laborious but before these issues it has never failed to start after 3 years - ie nothing has really changed cranking power wise but now not starting
I'll do a drop test when I get home and see whats going on that way.
From what I've read there should be no air in the fuel line whatsoever and if you have then you've got trouble.

[brokenbritain]

Try parking car on a hill with nose pointing downhill overnight and see if it starts better in the morning, may be also worth checking Peugeot,Citroen forums as that's a French engine in there, cheers, Mike.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by brokenbritain

Try parking car on a hill with nose pointing downhill overnight and see if it starts better in the morning

If this works, what does it prove?