C5 2.2 In Limp Mode

[handyman]

Hi All, I've been offered a C5 estate 2.2 diesel to replace my old Xantia estate. However, as an older car, it comes with issues.

 

I have Lexia 3 on my laptop but before I go trawling across country to check it out, I thought I'd ask here to see if there were any tips to what might be the fault.

 

The C5 is showing faults on screen on the DPF filter & ESP/ASR. I know the DPF filter warning can throw up the service light, but would it throw the ECU into limp mode?

 

I have also known the actuator on the turbo wastegate to produce similar running problems if there is a build up of carbon as the gate then stays open.

 

Any thoughts, please?

 

Handyman

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

On the C5 technical section there is a pinned note on Common Problems which will also help you look for other problems on a C5.

 

The big problem here may be the dpf which may not be working / may be blocked / may have been removed / the eolys fluid may have run out, etc. It may just need replacing and the eolys fluid topping up (which will also need an ecu diagnostic to tell it it has been topped up or possibly on early cars its ecu needed replacing or low level warning messages will keep appearing). A working dpf is a requirement for the car to pass the MOT if it had one fitted when the car was new. To sort the dpf may cost around £400 at a dealer and until it is sorted due to the car needing to be up to MOT standard, it is likely any insurance would not be valid.

 

The esp/asr fault could be anything and the fault codes would need reading to give an idea of the cause. Again there will be costs in sorting this out. The owner may have tried all sorts to fix this unsuccessfully and a list of them will help but some owners seem never to fix this fault.

 

So the free car could end up costing many £100s to sort out. If it is a mark 1 C5 (2001 to 2004 model) you want then the 2.0 hdi did not have a dpf and for an older car with possibly high miles it could be a better option unless you could get a 2.2 hdi without any problems (but make sure the dpf is present and working).