A New Problem Has Risen - Air Flow Issue ?

[Vin1100]

Since recently changing the egr on citroen c5 vtx 1.6 hdi o6 plate, and rectifying minor issue with glow plug loom, the car now struggles to start when warm and i have noticed that when pulling away in 1st or 2nd gear that the engine seems restricted and lags very badly.. Bang it into 3rd and then it will pick up.. Haynes manual points toward poss airflow/ fuel starving or electrical issue.. I am thinking of changin airflow meter, has anyone encountered these symptoms before... Many thanks v :)

[qman3428]

Dont rush in to buying a new airflow meter, try unplugging it first, if the car improves you know you are on to the culprit. When was the fuel filter last changed as they need to be done regularly and can cause the issues you describe

[Vin1100]

Thank you for the reply, not sure when the fuel filter was done last to be honest. Ive been given the car to rectify small issues. It has also had a recon turbo fitted by specialist so he has followed citrien process by changing oil flow pipes in sump and complete oil and filter change after 30 miles

[coastline taxis]

Another 1.6 eats a turbo, Do yourself a favour and wash your hands of it or it will haunt you. ford now have a mandate that if a turbo goes on a 1.6 they replace the engine, but if your wanting to have a go then pull the vacum pump off and chck for gunge in there annd also check for oil in the servo as ive seen them dump oil in the servo when the turbo goes and it restricts the air to the engine and causes lack of power till you get the revs built up.

[Vin1100]

Is this the start of turbo trouble if the oil dumping is apparent.. Is there any resolve on the issue??

[paul.h]

Did you have these running problems before changing the egr valve - if not it would be tempting to fit the old one, then if it runs ok again it would suggest everything else is ok.  Is the replacement egr valve a new one, it should have a 12 month guarantee so could be replaced/refunded ? I do not know if a bsi reset might help so it can relearn a none fouled up egr valve - see if anyone else comments.

 

Before replacing lots of parts, a diagnostic check on a dealer type Lexia may help to keep the cost down so only faulty ones are replaced. How many miles ago was the recon turbo fitted ?

[Vin1100]

The turbo has done about 250 miles since fitment, the car had an issue where its been throwing out clouds of black smoke when pulling away and it is was thought the egr was the main cause due to signs of wear in the solenoid chamber after de-sooting it and still had a high reading on diag tester. The smoke problem is still there and as previously mentioned lagging on pulling away.. I have disconnected the airflow meter to try and car runs a whole lot better, but has obviously affected the fuel cycle so in turn it had bought up depollution fault again.... Im still thinking airflow mtr replacement... And ruling out fuel or injectors... One last thing.. I set the clock on lcd.. Started car a little time later, time is flashing for reset???.. Checked battery leads and they are solid... Any thoughts/ experience is always a blessing

[paul.h]

Clocks resetting seems to be a common thing on Citroens, it happened on our old C3, our old C4 and on our current 2011 C4. However, at the last service there was an update to stop the current C4 resetting and after 1 month so far so good. I usually thought it happened on starting the car but on the new C4 a few times it may have been on opening the doors since on starting it had already moved on a few minutes. So I would live with it for now and just reset it again but it may be worth checking the battery voltage is ok.

 

On the clouds of black smoke, was the cat/dpf in the exhaust and the intercooler cleaned out of oil if the old turbo had failed ?

 

You have still not said if the egr valve was new - I ask since often people fit parts from breakers due tocost but sometimes they can be no better than the part being replaced. If you do get a new air flow meter, I have read on here that cheap ones may not be up to standard and may not work properly, so something to be aware of.

[Vin1100]

Bugger, i was going to mention it last post. Yes paul the egr is new, paid £106 from gmf as it was stocked. I dont think anything has been done via the dpf/ cat and cooler so maybe worth a shot. As mentioned tho, it only happens when car is warm, pull away in 1st and engine seems to have no power then black smoke after changing to 2nd, moving up the box then all is ok.. Many thanks for the other pointers and advice on A/F meter

[paul.h]

egr valves are not supposed to start working until the engine has warmed up. A quick google search helped to back this up. They are supposed to recycle a bit of exhaust gas to cool the combustion which then reduces the amount of nitrogen oxides produced. So I would still not rule out the egr valve.

[Vin1100]

Ok so a little research online is also pointing towards MAF.. It confirms the symptoms i have which is loss of power, poor idling and as mentioned this cloudy smoke at exhaust.. Also im only getting 70 miles from 15ltrs of diesel.. Although its only short runs, i should be getting nearer the 100 mile mark....All of these symptoms dissapear when AF meter is disconnected but obviously EML light appears due to disruppted fuel cycle.. Im guna leave the egr as is because as its new and we have had it for 8 days and not sure if i would get any refund.. Although i will ask about exchange if need be.