19 DTR No Power

[roughfactory]

Now then, how's everyone?

So, my 19DTR feels like it is running around on about 20hp

Even a slight incline has become frustrating and embarrassing really.
At first I suspected a knackered throttle cable, so fitted a new one to no avail.

For example in 2nd, the car will literally get to 15mph and won't build anymore speed, so into 3rd and it will very begrudgingly build speed at a painfully slow pace. In neutral the car revs freely and sounds like it should (agriculture)

I'm pretty new to Citroen so not well versed on any common issues and fixes. Anyone any go to checks and resolutions ?

It's literally a pedal to the metal job to drive the car !

[David]

I’m assuming that it is the 1.9 na diesel engine fitted?

There’s very little to go wrong with these engines so it should be obvious.

Firstly, you said that you’ve done the throttle cable, so did you check to make sure that you’ve got full movement on the injector pump? The accelerator pedals are common for snapping & not giving you full throttle control, so check that first.

Secondly, when was the fuel system last serviced? If the fuel filter is blocked, then the engine won’t rev up under load, so make sure the filter is new & there are no air leaks.

If the above is ok, then are the fuel lines obstructed anywhere? The cars are over 30 years old now, so if the lines haven’t been replaced yet, it’s likely that you could have perished lines or corroded metal lines blocking flow or letting air in. It’s easiest to find air if you have a clear plastic line going to the injector pump. If the lines seem ok, but there’s air getting in somewhere, then there could be a leak from the fuel heater on the back of the engine, if fitted. It’s there on the earlier engines.

If everything above checks out ok, but the car still won’t rev up, then there could be a blockage inside the tank itself. Old diesel can sometimes do like jelly & block the pickup, so you’ll need to clean the tank out in this case. You might just be able to do it from the access points under the rear seats, but it’s not easy.

Alternatively, is there a stiff auxiliary, water pump or driveshaft bearing stealing the power? Remove the drive belt(s) & try to spin them by hand to verify.

As a last resort, if everything else is ok, then has the engine been ran out of oil at any point? If this is the case, then the engine could be partially seized, but I highly doubt this is your problem.

Hope that helps.

[roughfactory]

Hi David, many thanks for the comprehensive check list, I really appreciate it.

Yes, I have the 1.9NA
Yesterday I checked and double checked the throttle cable and also checked for full movement on the pump, I used the Haynes manual and forum as reference points, and the setup seems fine.

Bizarrely enough.. yesterday the car decided to dump of all it's LHM all over the driveway! So far (through reading up on BX) I don't see a relation between engine power and low LHM ? But I could be wrong here.

Tbh.. with the catastrophic LHM leak, I'm now tempted to pull the engine and begin a major overhaul, the car has the most comprehensive service history I have ever seen! Literally invoices from its first year on the road back in 1989 !

Thanks for your input mate.

[thorter]

Are you quite sure it is not the mounting for the throttle pedal pivot. These always bent eventually, limiting maximum travel, though I would have thought all BXs would have been fixed long ago.

[roughfactory]

I did check that mate and thankfully it is solid.

[Kitch]

Collapsed silencer causing a blocked exhaust?