XUD not starting - no fuel to injectors

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
Xsarahdi
Posts: 89
Joined: 15 Apr 2009, 21:26
Location:
My Cars:

XUD not starting - no fuel to injectors

Post by Xsarahdi »

I've got a 1.9d Citroen ZX (with a Lucas pump) that has sat unused for a while but now won't start. It turns over fine and no smoke is emitted from the exhaust. I thought it just needed priming, but despite this it was no different. With loosening the injector pipes it seems there is no diesel getting to the injectors as you turn it over. There is fuel getting to the pump though. I suspected a stop solenoid issue so cut off the armour and replaced the original with a single terminal solenoid (which does work when applying 12v) but there is still no fuel emerging from injector pipes.

Summary:
- The car (lucas pumped XUD9 N/A) hasn't been used in approximately a year
- The primer bulb goes hard when squeezing
- Stop solenoid is new
- Fuel is at the pump inlet and return when loosening them while priming.
- No fuel is getting to injectors when turning over the engine

Could it be a case of air being very difficult to bleed out? Is there anything that I've overlooked or is this pointing to the fuel pump being the issue? Is there something that is known to go wrong with the fuel pump resulting from a lack of use?

Many thanks
Mark
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: XUD not starting - no fuel to injectors

Post by white exec »

Fuel does need to emerge from the injector pipes, as you say.
Try repeatedly squeezing the priming bulb while cranking.
Check that fuel can be sucked up from the tank - the first stage of the pump would normally do this.
If necessary, provide the pump with a temporary source of fuel, eg from a small container or bottle.
Chris
User avatar
moizeau
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 1580
Joined: 12 Jan 2015, 16:08
Location: France 36
My Cars: 91 BX TZD Estate. Dead but loved
407 HDI 136 auto
C4 2l petrol coupé
2010 Dispatch III HDI 90
AND a 1980 Z1000ST
AND a 1983 GPz1100 inj
AND a 1995 Zephyr 1100
AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped)
x 315

Re: XUD not starting - no fuel to injectors

Post by moizeau »

Also when you prime the pump have the ignition turned on to open the stop solenoid
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: XUD not starting - no fuel to injectors

Post by white exec »

...and check that 12v is still reaching the stop solenoid during cranking (use test lamp on it).
Chris
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Re: XUD not starting - no fuel to injectors

Post by Peter.N. »

Give it a squirt of easy start, that should spin it up fast enough to purge the fuel system - if that's the problem.

Peter
Online
wheeler
Posts: 6848
Joined: 21 Sep 2002, 19:07
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:
x 717

Re: XUD not starting - no fuel to injectors

Post by wheeler »

white exec wrote: 31 Jul 2021, 10:22 ...and check that 12v is still reaching the stop solenoid during cranking (use test lamp on it).
Yes, very important point. Lots of ignition controlled 12v feeds drop out on cranking.
User avatar
Xsarahdi
Posts: 89
Joined: 15 Apr 2009, 21:26
Location:
My Cars:

Re: XUD not starting - no fuel to injectors

Post by Xsarahdi »

Thank you for the replies.

I had already tried repeatedly squeezing the priming bulb while cranking but will give it another go. I did have the ignition on when priming and had already tried applying 12V to the stop solenoid directly from the battery in case there were any issues with the wiring. Still couldn't get it started.

I will try a small container of diesel as a temporary fuel source and get some easy start to give that a go.

Thanks
Mark
2005 C3 1.6 HDi 110 VTR
2003 Xsara 2.0 HDi 110 SX
1999 306 1.9 TD Meridian
1996 ZX 1.9 D Elation
User avatar
moizeau
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 1580
Joined: 12 Jan 2015, 16:08
Location: France 36
My Cars: 91 BX TZD Estate. Dead but loved
407 HDI 136 auto
C4 2l petrol coupé
2010 Dispatch III HDI 90
AND a 1980 Z1000ST
AND a 1983 GPz1100 inj
AND a 1995 Zephyr 1100
AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped)
x 315

Re: XUD not starting - no fuel to injectors

Post by moizeau »

If after all that it still doesn't want to play take the stop solenoid back out and check it on the ignition to visibly see that it's working, you may have to earth it. You could also remove the rubber nipple, solenoid rod and spring then replace it. You'll need to use the manual stop lever to turn the engine off (or stall it in 4th). Be careful the spring will want to make a bid for freedom.
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
Post Reply