New Citroen C5 Owner

Before you spend any money on a pedal assembly, have a look for fuel at the filter socket and, if that's wet, than at the fuse box sockets. If the fuel has migrated around the engine harness, that's more likely ot be your problem than the accelerator pedal. The pedals have multiple tracks/wipers, so there should be a fault code suggesting something like a recopy fault or a coherence fault if it has a problem. I should add that some problems blamed on pedal units can be due to the left foot braking syndrome, sometimes not done consciously.

They are a very pleasant car to drive, but you obviously need it to be working properly.
 
Thanks for that David. To date I haven't even taken the engine cover off myself because it was under warranty. I haven't had time to even look at it since I got it back but I'm not going to rush in as it's not a problem on a day to day basis and my wife is driving it as our family car daily.
It's due for an oil change (I have the correct Total oil) so I'm going to do that shortly and familiarise myself with the anatomy of the engine bay. Then I'll go back through the thread and start checking things. In July I'll be going back to my home with a workshop so I'll probably leave any component changes to then.
Once I've checked out the engine bay I'll probably be back to you to work out exactly what parts of the harness I should be checking.
I dont think left foot braking is an issue as I never use my left foot and it really only faults when I cruise along at highway speeds for a while when it just happens all of a sudden.

Justin
 
I have experienced the "left foot syndrome" David S mentions. Hdi 2.2 TT 2007 - not quite the same car, I know. I had recurrent problems, wife never had any. After nailing my left foot to the footrest, I had no further problems either.

Symptoms were a sudden loss of power, and a beep, and "engine management system faulty" displayed. I could then pull over, pause, and drive away. I don't think it ever went into limp mode other than that initial power loss. My driving style at the time was no different from the previous 5 years in a 2003 C5.

Clogging fuel filter problems produced "speed management system faulty" (brief) closely followed by "depollution system faulty". Only this latter message persisted, as did limp mode.
Switching off, waiting, and restarting got rid of limp mode, but depollution message persisted. This would disappear after about 3 starts, or next day. In your model the notifications may differ.

At some stage it could be worth dipping a fuel sample from the tank to see if it is clear, or if it contains suspended matter. I have read somewhere that eolys in diesel sitting unused for a period of time (caryard) can cause problems.

Regards, Rossie.
 
Hi Rossie,

FYO I'm no longer in Mackay and have moved to Hervey Bay. The C5 drove from Mackay to Brisbane (by my wife as described above) easily on one tank of fuel. With some detours that would be over 1000km.

Those are some good suggestions. It seems that with the expertise on this site I should be able track this thing down.
Your description of the clogging fuel filter is pretty much exactly what happens with mine except is has (I think from memory) "Engine management system faulty" followed a few seconds later by "EGR/ASR sytem faulty". The way you describe it going away is identical with limp mode stopping after restarting and the fault going away after a few more starts or next day.
Changing the fuel filter is on my list of things to do but my Haynes manual doesn't have the 2.2 engine and I haven't worked out if there are any differences in the fuel filter housing and procedure. I still haven't even looked at the filter housing.
I will definitely do a check on the fuel by siphoning a little out, maybe after filling to let any sediment get stirred up.

Everyone who has made suggestions on this thread, thanks again. I will be going back and consider each and every one to get this sorted.

Justin
 
One other thing comes to mind, jogged by your EGR/ASR fault notification. I recall mention in a forum, possibly UK C5 forum, and pertaining to the 2.2 engine I am sure. There is some plastic lever/ball joint doo-dad somewhere around the exhaust system or turbo (I think) that is prone to breaking. Sorry my recollection is so vague. Others may be more precise. I will try to find it again (unable to find it last time I tried) and will post if successful.

Regards, Rossie.
 
Thanks again for that Rossie. I noticed last night that there is a bit of diesel leaking behind the engine on the drivers side. I took the engine cover off but it doesnt seem to be coming from the fuel system on the top of the engine. I'll have to sort that shortly. I'm on the trail of a reputed European car specialist here so I'll probably get the fuel filter changed while they are sorting this leak.
 
It was probably the swirl valve actuator I was thinking of. Don't know that it is relevent to you, though. Suggest you do searches of Citroen owners forum UK, and google citroen 2.2 hdi esp/asr uk for some reading. There were umpteen times more 2.2's sold there than here. They seem to have been a stop-gap model here, sold only for about one year.

Good luck, Rossie.
 
The 2.2 4 speeds were sold here for under 2 years as I recall and are not as common as the models before and after. Rossie is correct about the plastic link rod that breaks. It's at the gearbox end of the head.
 
My '06 2.2 diesel auto did the same thing. After nearly a year it had spent a total of 3 months on and off at the at the dealers trying to locate the reason. Couldn't. I loved the car when it went well, but it got to the stage where I hated even looking at it. :(Traded in; never to buy another Citroen no matter how pretty they look. Sorry - don't be discouraged, yours might get sorted out quicker.
 
Rossie,
I read about that swirl valve actuator and the owner who found a cracked hose and also holes in the diaphragm with exactly the same fault as mine. Also his had done exactly the same milage at 90k. http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=26777
Another thing to add to my list of checks. I just have to work out what it is and what it looks like. At least the parts were cheap once it was worked out whats needed.
 
Although it's been a while I thought I'd give the latest on this.

Rossie was right on the money with his highly technical description of "There is some plastic lever/ball joint doo-dad somewhere around the exhaust system or turbo (I think) that is prone to breaking".
Based on his tip I did a search and discovered the references to the swirl valve actuator and researched it extensively. Once I was fairly sure it could be the problem I ordered one from the UK on eBay.

Heres the listing with photo http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Citroen-...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c2c2a6b97 The description of it's function isn't totally accurate but kind of right. Here's a Citroen technical bulletin describing the function http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/psa/c5/c5tech3.html. Note that only the 2.2 HDI engine has the variable swirl function.
Worked out to about $43 posted and arrived within 7 days.

I fitted it on Saturday. Like some of the UK descriptions I found that the vacuum line was cracked where it attached to the actuator. The old actuator was obviously looser and easier to push in than the new one but I haven't pulled it apart to check for holes in the diaphragm. I've kept it just in case someone needs the end which can also apparently break. I plan to post a comprehensive description of how to replace it.

On Sunday I took it for a drive on the highway. It was immediately obvious there was less turbo lag and much more mid range power. Did an hour of highway driving including some high speed overtaking and no sign of a fault (touch wood!). Thanks again to all those who responded and a special thanks to Rossie for putting me on the right track.
It's ironic that a car could spend 8 weeks at Citroen repairers and not be fixed yet I had no Citroen knowledge but could diagnose and fix it by just doing some internet research.

BTW I also checked the other suggestions while I was there. The insulation doesn't go all the way to the end of the harness at the fuel filter so leaking fuel in the harness couldn't happen. Checked the fuel and it's quite clear. Took the MAF senser off and the wires look brand new and shiny. Was planning to change the fuel filter but I have the wrong one so will do that as soon as I get the correct one.

Cheers!
Justin
 
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Justin,

Congratulations on your repair. May you have enjoyable and trouble free motoring. I envy your mechanical skills.

Regards, Rossie.
 
That's a good outcome. When I saw the filters for sale, I thought you must have given up and dumped the thing!

Don't forget to consider the heat exchanger coolant bypass.
 
456eec said:
Although it's been a while I thought I'd give the latest on this.

Rossie was right on the money ...

...

It's ironic that a car could spend 8 weeks at Citroen repairers and not be fixed yet I had no Citroen knowledge but could diagnose and fix it by just doing some internet research.

...

Cheers!
Justin
Click to expand...

Congratulations! And happy motoring from now on in your C5!

Your success is a great encouragement to all of us who like to think that we can keep modern cars on the road - even when the mechanics can't find the problem!

Cheers

Alec
 
Thanks David,
I've still got that in the back of my mind. Everything under the bonnet is in top condition as the car has obviously been well cared for. I will keep that in mind though and familiarise myself with the anatomy of the heat exchanger. I'd be worried that bypassing coolant would make the air to the turbo warmer which may be picked up by sensors and confuse the ECU? The temperature of the air is measured as it has to be 80 degrees at 2100rpm for the Swirl to be activated.

Regards
Justin.
 
Ken W said:
Justin,

LDS is available from On Shore Oils at Murrarrie in Brisbane and also through the CCCQ. Please check club links and spare part links in the sticky area.

Cheers,

Ken W
Click to expand...

I'm still learning my way around our 2008 C5 2.0 Hdi SX 16V. Is the LDS reservoir in the engine bay? Which one is it?

While I am at it, do our cars have a DPF, if so do we need to do an EOLYS service? Where is that reservoir? Are there instructions somewhere on how to do this?
 
I like the $43 vs 8 weeks for a dealer not to fix it. That's all a bit sad.

Great outcome and well done. It does encourage me to keep the Xantia. :)

Cheers
 
dcc236 said:
I'm still learning my way around our 2008 C5 2.0 Hdi SX 16V. Is the LDS reservoir in the engine bay? Which one is it?

While I am at it, do our cars have a DPF, if so do we need to do an EOLYS service? Where is that reservoir? Are there instructions somewhere on how to do this?
Click to expand...

Your car is not the same as the subject of this thread, which was a 2.2 HDi.

LDS reservoir is behind the RH headlamp and ahead of the coolant reservoir. The cap is under the cover. Pull the centre out of the clips to remove them. If you need to top it up, go to the lowest suspension setting and fill roughly to the seam in the tank.

The Eolys fill from the factory should be enough for around 160K, but it varies with how the car has been used. It has a tank under the LHR passenger and there is a kit to refill it. It's not an ideal DIY job given the chemicals involved.

If ordering parts, be careful when quoting 2008 as the year, because it may be easy to confuse it with the later X7 series.
 
Thanks for that David S.

My LDS reservouir is almost empty with the suspensiin raised. Is that normal?
 
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