must have a problem with air in the supply side of the fuel system. wont start unless i hand prime the filter. i have changed the filter element, primer head,and the spill pipes from the injectors and the return to the pump also replaced the glow plugs initially thinking that was the problem but that made no difference at all. after priming the system it will eventually start but after a few seconds the engine revs drop right off presumably because air is still present in the line then after this time it will tick over ok and you can drive. if you dont give it the time it needs and drive off straight after starting it will lose all power and stall. the only part i havent replaced are the fuel lines from the tank to the filter if any one can give some pointers or have had this same problem and can help it would be much appreciated, by the way there is no evidence of fuel leakage PLEASE HELP THANKS!?!?!?!?!?!

DAVID PEATE, April 2008

hi, i have got a y reg Citroen relay 2.5d that is a bad starter only starts when I pump the primer to get it started when I put the revs on heavy the van cuts out completely...
any ideas please

richard, September 2014

By-passing heater works 100% as per Flowright advice

Jan, March 2011

Just to confirm. I had a similar problem with my van, Ran pipe straight from tank to fuel filter, missing out heater, and now no problems..........

griff, January 2010

hi i have had the same probblem if you give me a ring i will gladly talk you through it as it took me months to find it you will not belive that one small o ring would give so much grief regards gary. o7766141401

gary, December 2009

flowright has the right answer!!!! i had same problem. i ran a pipe straight from tank to filter sorted the problem

barry, October 2008

the fuel line comes from the tank then goes into a heater in back of engine block then out to filter cut line into heater splice it striaght to filter job done i found this out after local garage tried fix 3 times new lines, filter, non returns,glow plugs got so fed up read up about it and traced air leak to heater housing once by passed 100% fixed

Flowright, June 2008

i have same problem with 01 2.5d relay and have been told it is the non return valve not working properly?

pasha, May 2008

sound like not a fuel problem...check your pick up for the chip inside your ignition key....remove plastic trim around steering colunm and its fitted around your ignition barrel...its a circuler plastic thing with a wires coming out of it.good luck. cheers.

trevor, April 2008

David, you have done most of the obvious things - however there is a likely chance that air is being drawn into the fuel supply pipes - probably where the fuel supply pipe drops into the tank itself. Check here for rust on the pipe and the clips themselves - maybe its a good idea to remove the tank float unit complete and have a look at it. You won't see any fuel leakage though - as these lines are under negative pressure fuel won't leak out, but air could leak in.

John, April 2008