Engine / Turbo Problem?

[Guest Conz]

Hi,

 

I have a 1999 T-reg (assumed 110 BHP) Citroen Xantia HDi LX. I've been experiencing a bit of engine trouble.

 

First time, I thought it was a one off, and was when doing a long journey (at a 80 / 85 MPH constant on motorway), then suddenly, it felt like the engine was being restricted or lost a lot of power, only managing to keep the momentum by not forcing the revs / engine. The yellow Engine Warning Light also came on. I pulled over, let engine idle for a bit then stopped the engine. About 5 / 10 mins later, I started it again. Everything was good, up until a few weeks ago...

 

The same thing happened, this time on regular roads, so wasn't hammering it. It's happened twice since the motorway incident and, as these next two times were on regular roads, I had a better chance to feel what was really going on.

 

Firsty, it feels like the turbo has stopped working and it struggles to get over 2,000 RPM. It accelerates from stand still, then 2,000 RPM... nothing. It just won't budge (not good when pulling out at a juntion). If I slowly get my speed up, get into 4th gear (for example), then drop it to 2nd or 4rd the RPM will get above 2,000 but with little or no power.

 

Another note: First time I experienced this and rested the engine, the light went out within 5 / 10 mins and everything was fine... This time round, the engine light remained on for a day or so (even after stopping, resting and starting) although it felt and drove ok, but now it's off again.

 

I hope my description is well and that someone can diagnose the problem. Does this sound common or familiar? I don't want to take it to a dealer unless I really have to.

 

Thanks in advance :D

 

Kind regards,

Peter

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hello again Peter. Sorry to hear you're having bother with your Xantia. Judging by the symptoms you describe it would seem that the car is going into "Limp Home" mode due to the intervention of the management ECU which has sensed a failure of some component within that system. It is obviously an intermittent fault if it's going back to normal after a time. Im afraid the only sure way to find out the score would be a diagnostic check to pinpoint the problem in the ECU memory. If you can spot the sensors around the engine you could unplug them one at a time and try cleaning the contacts with electrical switch cleaner or similar. It may well just be a dirty connection. These things are very hard to diagnose from a distance.

 

There will be an air flow and temperature sensor, boost pressure, engine temperature, Crankshaft sensor and probably fuel pressure and temperature sensors to name a few. You'll really be better going to a speciallist for proper advice. I'm probably in the ballpark by saying it's a sensor, BUT WHICH ONE?

 

Sorry can't be of more help. Cheers :angry:

[willie]

Hello again Peter. Sorry to hear you're having bother with your Xantia. Judging by the symptoms you describe it would seem that the car is going into "Limp Home" mode due to the intervention of the management ECU which has sensed a failure of some component within that system. It is obviously an intermittent fault if it's going back to normal after a time. Im afraid the only sure way to find out the score would be a diagnostic check to pinpoint the problem in the ECU memory. If you can spot the sensors around the engine you could unplug them one at a time and try cleaning the contacts with electrical switch cleaner or similar. It may well just be a dirty connection. These things are very hard to diagnose from a distance.

 

There will be an air flow and temperature sensor, boost pressure, engine temperature, Crankshaft sensor and probably fuel pressure and temperature sensors to name a few. You'll really be better going to a speciallist for proper advice. I'm probably in the ballpark by saying it's a sensor, BUT WHICH ONE?

 

Sorry can't be of more help. Cheers :(

 

Hiya Conz, and hello again Colin.....knower of all things Xantia!!! :D

 

She became an it 3 weeks ago...here's how ;

 

Around a month ago I foolishly ran the tank to what I presume were only fumes!!! I was travelling up from London and couldn't be arsed stopping for fuel until I got back home to Glasgow....anyway, I did get to the local BP before she cut out and I quenched her thirst with 60 quids worth of fuel.

 

A week later and I'm late for work....I'm nailing her along the M8 and she has just under a quarter of a tank left....70mph...75mph..80mph....85mph (3500rpm) and it suddenly seems to surge...as though it aint gettin' fuel. Ease off the giggle peddle and all's well at 70mph.

 

I glance at the clock and realise the concrete will be on the job and the 'numptys' will all be standing looking at it so I nail the peddle to the floor again and the same thing happens.....only worse!!!

 

Couple of hundred yards later and I'm forced to pull onto the hard shoulder as it don't wanna play no more.

 

As I sit cursing the car and wondering what I should do.........

 

I did nothing apart from wonder for a couple of minutes and then turned the key and it decides to fire up again and I manage to limp to work through a series of stutters and splutters.

 

We did the concrete pour....good job it was too!

 

I nips down to a local parts shop and buys a fuel filter.

Takes the old one out....manky filthy gritty....bins it and replaces it.

 

Hammer it home (just to see how things are) and she's fine....past the ton with no problems.

 

All's fine for a couple of weeks...I oversleep again...foot to the floor...damn surging rears its head again!!!

 

I get to work, buy another filter and strip the the bowl right off (although the filter doesn't look bad at all) and clean it all out with lashings of petrol.

Put it all back together again with new filter, finish work....onto motorway and the damn problem's still there!!!! :blink:

 

Colin, should I buy a new alarm clock mate????

[DaveWalling]

Hi Willie,

I don`t know about Colin, but as to a new alarm clock a resounding YES!! :D Oh, and a Talex speed camera detector! :blink:

[Guest Conz]

Hello again Peter. Sorry to hear you're having bother with your Xantia. Judging by the symptoms you describe it would seem that the car is going into "Limp Home" mode due to the intervention of the management ECU which has sensed a failure of some component within that system. It is obviously an intermittent fault if it's going back to normal after a time. Im afraid the only sure way to find out the score would be a diagnostic check to pinpoint the problem in the ECU memory. If you can spot the sensors around the engine you could unplug them one at a time and try cleaning the contacts with electrical switch cleaner or similar. It may well just be a dirty connection. These things are very hard to diagnose from a distance.

 

There will be an air flow and temperature sensor, boost pressure, engine temperature, Crankshaft sensor and probably fuel pressure and temperature sensors to name a few. You'll really be better going to a speciallist for proper advice. I'm probably in the ballpark by saying it's a sensor, BUT WHICH ONE?

 

Sorry can't be of more help. Cheers :(

 

Hi Colin,

 

I see you replied on 19th March, but I only just got my first email to prompt me of a response. Strange. Thanks for your advice, which I'm sure is spot on. At least it's not pointing directly towards a turbo / engine problem and there are less worrying areas to check first.

 

Thanks once again for your help. I'll let you know how I get on (when I eventually get someone to look at it) :D

 

Best wishes,

Peter

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Guys!

1. Willie! Get an alarm clock and another new filter!
   
2. Dave! Get an AK47 and shoot the Bas**rd that trashed yer motor!
   
3. Peter! Read your replies sooner!
   

OK guys. Just got back to the tug jetty from berthing a tanker and not in a great mood! BTW Derv is £132.9 here now and Gordon Brown is as popular as a foreskin in a synogogue! How come we have Europe's largest oil Terminal here in Shetland and have the highest fuel prices? My lovely Xantia has departed (Boo Hoo Sob) to another life. I now have a Picasso (Boring! but at least I can get into the bloody thing!) I will attempt to answer all Xantia related questions to the best of my ability until either dementia or lethargy takes hold!

 

Bye! I'm goin' to bed! :(

[willie]

Hi Guys!

1. Willie! Get an alarm clock and another new filter!
   
2. Dave! Get an AK47 and shoot the Bas**rd that trashed yer motor!
   
3. Peter! Read your replies sooner!
   

OK guys. Just got back to the tug jetty from berting a tanker and not in a great mood! BTW Derv is £132.9 here now and Gordon Brown is as popular as a foreskin in a synogogue! How come we have Europe's largest oil Terminal here in Shetland and have the highest fuel prices? My lovely Xantia has departed (Boo Hoo Sob) to another life. I now have a Picasso (Boring! but at least I can get into the bloody thing!) I will attempt to answer all Xantia related questions to the best of my ability until either dementia or lethargy takes hold!

 

Bye! I'm goin' to bed! :(

 

LMAO!!!!! :D

 

I'm putting another new filter in it today Colin as I'm driving down to Manchester at the weekend.

Hopefully not at 70mph!!!

[willie]

LMAO!!!!! :lol:

 

I'm putting another new filter in it today Colin as I'm driving down to Manchester at the weekend.

Hopefully not at 70mph!!!

 

 

New filter same problem!!!

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Willie.

 

Well it's obviously not the filter if you've put in another new one. It may be some air in the system though, did you bleed through after the filter changes? It's so long since I had a TD XUD that I can't even remember if you have to. (SEE!!!!!!!!!! BL**DY DEMENTIA ALREADY!) Have a look around the pump and see if you can find a bleed screw. Operate the wee priming bulb and loosen the screw (if there is one) until bubble free fuel flows out. Start the engine and "Crack off" each injector pipe in turn in case there's any air in the lines.

 

Another possibility is that the crap you drew up from the tank when you ran it on the fumes has caused a partial blockage in the supply pipe. I don't know how easy it is to do or even if it's possible, (LETHARGY NOW! Oh God I'm doomed!) but (try to) take the pipe off the suction side of the primer bulb and blow it back with air (if you can). Take the bulb and clean it, (There's wee non return valves in it) also the bit of pipe from the bulb to the filter. May be clutching at straws here but any port in a storm so to speak!

 

A wee bit of advice regarding running the tank of an elderly car too low now. Remember what Captain Mainwaring said to Pike in "Dad's Army"!

 

Nuff said! BYE! :lol:

[willie]

Well a friend gave me a bottle of Texaco diesel fuel additive stuff.....stuck it in my half tank of fuel and hey presto!!!!!

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi Willie.

 

Glad you've got to the bottom of it and that SHE is restored to full health. Objecting to not being fed and watered is definitely a female trait!

 

Cheers.

[willie]

Hi Willie.

 

Glad you've got to the bottom of it and that SHE is restored to full health. Objecting to not being fed and watered is definitely a female trait!

 

Cheers.

 

 

Bliss.......

 

Manchester and back without a problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well...............................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

apart from the bliddy 140 quid to get her outta the pound for naughty parking :blink:

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Q: What does Del Boy Regularly say to Rodney in Only Fools & Horses?

 

Answers on a postcard to Willie! You could have got the plane for £140! :blink:

[willie]

Hello again guys.

 

The problem came back.

 

I sorted it for good though.

 

There IS a filter in the tank!!!! I removed the sender unit (thanks Colin) and at the bottom of it is a nylon mesh filter sort of thing......it was totally blocked with ***oops***!!! Good soak in petrol and scrubbed with a nail brush had it like new in no time.

 

Sucked the remaining gallon of fuel from her and cleaned the tank and re-fuelled.

 

She seems even faster now!!!!

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Funny Thing that! So it was full of S**t and you didn't know it! I always thought Citroens were French, But that's a definite AMERICAN trait! Along with all the rest! High oil prices thanks to septics speculating on the oil futures. Credit Crunch thanks to them lending cash to "Sub Prime" (Tossers who shouldn't have had a mortgage). Global Warming thanks to their predisposition to PETROL V8 Engines. I could go on but I'm tired! Freinds like them! Who needs enemies!

 

Cheers! :D