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[huxley]

Right i work with john and he has very little understanding of how his car works!!
Here goes!
1997 2.5 v6 cdx(for what its worth)
Running normal upto him running out of petrol. He thought as it said 5miles to go on his trip computer he was alright!! Anyway he duly run out of fuel. He put the correct fuel in it but it ran like a dog for a few miles and now wont start. From what he has said he had limited speed getting home and now he cannot use it. If left for a while (hours) it will start very briefly ( 2 seconds)but then cut out. Then if he trys again it just turns over without any sign of firing into life.
He also said that whilst trying to start it "backfired" through the airbox!!
Now my limited knowledge on modern cars is working on the following theory...
Would him running out of fuel and picking up some debris be enough to clog the fuel filter and cause his problems? Im not sure when it was last changed as he bought the car a few months ago. But could enough debris from the tank be enough to prevent it starting?
Also the EGM maybe on, only because of it backfiring through airbox trying to start as he puts it and this has been the reason for the light to come on? (not too concerned about this at present)
I have asked him to ask Questions on here and got nowhere fast so please answer to this post if you would be so kind.
I wasnt sure if there was a fuel inj reset button on the bulkhead like the my old rover had yrs ago.
If we were to change just the fuel filter on its own do we have to purge the system in anyway of air or just crank it over. Are there any other filters in line from tank to fuel rail?
Im reasonably confident this is the root of his problem but you never know who reads these posts and may have a brainwave that they would like to share!!!!
Many thanks for your patience.......he is really a "special friend" who needs help!  

[JamesV6CDX]

I would say there is a chance some muck was sucked up so changing the filter won't do any harm.

The best thing to do would be to get a DECENT amount of fuel in the tank, eg half fill it, and check for consistnet pressure at the injector rail...

Note, there will be air in the system, so it won't start straight away and is likely to run rough for a while following running out...

[huxley]

If we put say £30 fuel in can we take of the fuel line near the rail and turn ign key to number 2 to pump fuel through into a container to purge it as such and also view the rate of delivery?
Many many thanks for speedy reply!!

[JamesV6CDX]

If you are lucky, you will get away with putting fuel in, changing the filter, and turn the key!

On my estate, following a run out, it wouldn't actually run again until I put about £10 in it...

[TheBoy]

There is a schrader valve under plenum used to release pressure in fuel rail.  I would guess at this stage that the fuel filter blocked. Easy change, the fuel pump will repressure the system as expected.

With EML on, it is worth doing paperclip test (see Maintenence Guides, 2 page) to read the stored fault code, just in case thats related.

[huxley]

if it matters his is an estate ....i should just put a state!!!
The other thing as well while im on here on his behalf is his power steering.
It was working as it should until he decided to turn full lock in the road. He bumped it up and down on the kerb...(not hard) and it hasnt worked since!! whilst this is giving him good biceps trying to steer without it, he feels it would be nice not to have to hang of the steering wheel to turn the corners! Have turned the steering wheel with engine running whilst looking into power steering bottle/fluid and dont see the fluid moving!
Any clues???

[Matchless]

I would change the fuel filter as a first step then get a reasonable amount of fuel into the tank as suggested.
Ive seen a 2.5 which was completely gutless, wouldnt rev above 3k and sounded very rough and that was due to a blocked filter.

[JamesV6CDX]

Do NOT attempt to drive this car without PAS, it is as good as building your own coffin if you have to react to something quickly!

[JamesV6CDX]

On the PAS note, can you confirm there is a good fluid level, and has the hydraulic connection to the rack/ram (?) etc been checked?

Is the PAS pump turning?

[huxley]

Right on the running issue from reply #6 we think thats the answer. He states that it did run for a while but only about 5mph!!!!! S owe will change it over the next couple of days and fingers crossed!!!
On the power steering issue i cannot seethat the pump is pumping the fluid. There is fluid in the resevoir (ample) but my friend suggestedthere maybe a "shearpin" in the pump which may have gone? any idea's??? As for running it without.......he's stupid!

[Elite Pete]

You can bleed the pump by turning the steering wheel from lock to lock a couple of times.

[JamesV6CDX]

You won't see the fluid move from the tank - it's only a header tank.

[huxley]

We tried turning it lock to lock but wiht fluid very visible in tank didnt think it would cure it!...how can i tell if pump is working then?
I must say this forum is well supported!
Hats of to you all!!!!

[JamesV6CDX]

Where in the country is this vehicle?

[johnislost]

felixstowe