Cold start problems, smoke++ underpowered, on 1.4 HDI 16v

So my C3 has had an easy life 74000 miles 2003 1.4 16v HDI model.

About 6 months ago it started being hard to start, kicking out copious amounts of smoke and then being very rattly. injector and valves in cylinder 1 were changed and the problem improved, faults cleared etc, back to running like it should

Then again last week it started doing the same, initially it said there was an open circuit fault cylinder 1, the garage checked and there was a loose connector which when cleaned and refitted cleared that fault, but they said there were many others, i did not get the numbers so sorry,

I know they said there was a fault with the 2nd cylinder detecting fuel ?sensor fault as well as a fault with the ECU. Its behaving exactly like it was when all this started with poor cold start (ok when warm), kicking out lots of smoke for the first few miles and bein generally underpowered and feelin rattly.

Any ideas? i think it might have reached the end of the road cost:benefit but any help much appreciated. EGR valve, injector 1, injector 3 replaced in the past few years, regularly serviced without problems, passed its MOT just before this fault recurred last week.

I cant see anything obviously wrong, pardon the stupidity but should this pipe be hanging below the car? I can do basic maintainance but my understanding of it is limited.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sipb2kvftu4bq ... .26.17.jpg

Welcome to the forum 7lucky7

7lucky7 wrote:I cant see anything obviously wrong, pardon the stupidity but should this pipe be hanging below the car?

That looks like it could be the water drain off for the diesel filter. But if you are not sure what it is, you could try tracing it back to the other end.

7lucky7 wrote: i did not get the numbers so sorry,

The error codes give you a good idea where to look for problems. Without them its more difficult to know where to start looking. You can get the error codes yourself by using a lexia connected to a laptop. If you do get the codes, the full description provided by lexia is very useful to diagnose where to look.

7lucky7 wrote:I know they said there was a fault with the 2nd cylinder detecting fuel ?sensor fault as well as a fault with the ECU. Its behaving exactly like it was when all this started with poor cold start (ok when warm), kicking out lots of smoke for the first few miles and bein generally underpowered and feelin rattly.

Could be another faulty injector, you could try a strong dose of Forte Diesel Treatment or something similar just in case its just bunged up, rather than damaged.

It would also be worth changing the Fuel Filter if it hasn't been done recently.

Thanks I should be able to get a lexia on it next week. A Bsi reset procedure actually improved the start but it's still kicking out smoke and smelly (like unburnt diesel) so I imagine one cylinder isn't during properly for whatever reason. I got properly underneath and it does look like the water drain from the filter.

Find this an interesting read. Can you reprogram the Bsi with the lexia or just read codes??

7lucky7 wrote:Find this an interesting read. Can you reprogram the Bsi with the lexia or just read codes??

Its a clone of the dealer tool. You can change almost all the possible options in the BSI with it and read all the BSI information with exception of the ECU to BSI immobiliser code.

an example lexia page for a 16v diesel C3:




It can access all the ECUs on the car:

You can also use the leakoff test to diagnose some types of faulty injector.

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/?t=50620

thats what i meant to post earlier sorry