2002 C5 1.8 Petrol Clutch Judder

[agaafear]

This looks like a really useful forum/resource. :)

 

I recently bought my first Citroen - a 2002 1.8 petrol, one owner, 50,000 miles and a full Citroen service history. Only been used in Dublin and spotless inside and out.

 

I guess I am nervous about the reliability of the car based on the myriad of problems some owners seem to encounter. Yet, however, there would seem to be many very satisfied owners with trouble free C5s, so I don't quite know! The person off whom I bought the car told me he never has had a problem with it and, in fairness, it looks as new. Just a few points that I am wondering about and which perhaps other more seasoned Citroenistas may be able to advise!

 

1. The clutch. From a stop, at biting point, there seems to be a bit of drag - hard to explain - but it's not a clean bite/pickup and I generally have to apply a bit of extra throttle to get the car to move off cleanly. Is this typical of the car or an indication that the clutch is worn? There is no slip or any other problem with it - weight of pedal, etc, feels fine. Does the clutch in this car require fluid or fluid changes?

 

2. Gearchange - it doesn't feel very precise. 1st seems a long way over and I keep mistaking 3rd for 1st!

 

3. The suspension is very comfortable and almost 'floaty' when driving above 40mph but around town it feels quite hard - is this normal for the hydractive suspension? Also, it seems to generate a fair bit of road noise on certain surfaces - it's running on Michelin Pilot 15/205s - standard wheel and has just the standard hydrative.

 

4. The oil is exactly at the max niche on the dip stick yet the dash level indicator flashes when I turn on the ignition. According to the handbook this means there is too much oil in the car. I trust the dipstick!. I notice that bits of the yellow plastic at the top of the dipstick break off each time it is removed! The yellow plastic is almost mushy!

 

5. The service indicator indicating 2,600 miles to the next service, yet the spanner is remaining visible when driving. Why is this?

 

It's a lovely, comfortable car with lots of space and a great boot. The 1.8 isn't very quick but it's quite adequate and not bad on fuel - if a bit noisy. There are no rattles or squeaks from the trim - thankfully - and it feels quite well bolted together in spite of the poor build quality I have read about.

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

1. The clutch cylinder fluid should be changed every 2 years at the same time as the brake fluid since it uses the same reservoir. Easiest way is to suck the fluid out through the slave cylinder bleed screw rather than pumping the pedal.

 

4. I would get a replacement dipstick if the old one is falling apart. As long as the oil level does not go any higher then you could wait until the next oil change to get the level right.

 

5. The service indicator - it should go off unless it is showing miles overdue from the service. I would check the service records to see when it was last done. It is easy enough to reset the indicator (to 20k miles or 2 years to next service) and is detailed in the handbook. From memory, hold in the button on the speedo and then turn on the ignition key to the first position. Once the counter has gone down to zero (=0), release the button.

[agaafear]

Thanks Paul.

[agaafear]

Welcome to the forum.

 

1. The clutch cylinder fluid should be changed every 2 years at the same time as the brake fluid since it uses the same reservoir. Easiest way is to suck the fluid out through the slave cylinder bleed screw rather than pumping the pedal.

 

4. I would get a replacement dipstick if the old one is falling apart. As long as the oil level does not go any higher then you could wait until the next oil change to get the level right.

 

5. The service indicator - it should go off unless it is showing miles overdue from the service. I would check the service records to see when it was last done. It is easy enough to reset the indicator (to 20k miles or 2 years to next service) and is detailed in the handbook. From memory, hold in the button on the speedo and then turn on the ignition key to the first position. Once the counter has gone down to zero (=0), release the button.

 

It's not a due a service just yet (2yr/20,000miles per the service book?) - and certainly not due one on mileage.  It has only covered 4,000 miles since that last service in July 2012. I'm think I may get it serviced - not sure what Citroen dealer to use in Dublin - any recommendations? I'd prefer to use a good independent specialist because some franchised dealers are dreadful and pricey. Does the fluid for the hydractive also need replacing?

[paul.h]

It could be the service indicator was not reset at the last service but your 2 years will be due anyway in 2 months. You could always do the service yourself and the Haynes manual will help with this.

 

The hydractive lds fluid is not normally changed but doing so could improve the ride or maybe one of the suspension spheres needs replacing (hard ride mentioned). There is about 5 litres of fluid and cost is £10 to £15 a litre depending on where it is bought.

[agaafear]

The ride is only a little hard at low speeds - it's grand from 40mph on. Does the hydractive fluid last indefinitely or has it to be renewed like brake fluid? I see a deal with fixed priced servicing for Citroen cars over four years old

[seefive]

The spanner remains on when you're getting near a service interval, and flashes when you go past the due point.

To reset hold in the mileage trip reset button and turn the key, as Paul describes.