C3 Hdi 1.4, 16v, 92

[AlanFC]

All of a sudden my C3 is a pig to start. Symptoms are as if the choke on a petrol car doesn't work. (03 plate, 50K miles)

 

After eventually starting, clouds of smoke and then noisy roughish running.

 

Cant risk junctions when cold as it sometimes cuts out. Its OK when its warmed up but still doesn't sound as quiet as it should.

 

Any ideas on this please?

[kfk]

Is the noise it makes a chuffing noise?

[Igloo_Vindaloo]

All of a sudden my C3 is a pig to start.

 

And all the sudden the weather's turned cold? Coincidence?

 

In the bad old days I'd say the fuel was waxing, but all fuel should be fine for these temperatures (assuming you're in the UK and the temperature hasn't fallen below -4C).

 

Or too much veg oil in the tank? :P

[AlanFC]

No, it doesn't make a chuffing noise, but I am. Chuffin 'eck!

 

Only ever use Shell diesel fuel in it.

[AlanFC]

Well, according to diagnostics, the problem is a faulty no 1 fuel injector. Car has to be with the gagrage for 2 days, and I, m not going to see much change out of £300! On top of the two droplink bars that needed replacing.

 

Only 50,000 careful miles, only ever put Shell diesel and serviced by the book.

 

What is the point? Cars have come down so much in price and labour and parts have gone up so much, it seems the sensible thing to do is to buy your new car (any car) drive it until the warranty runs out, bin it and buy a new one and don't worry about spending money on it or mollycoddling it during its warranty, cheapest oil/fuel etc. forget the fuel additives etc. because at the end of three years you are going to punt it anyway.

 

Unless of course it is a Toyota, shame about their quirky styling and generally anodyne motoring experience, but at least you will actually be motoring, which after all is the point of buying a car!

 

PS as if further to back up my statement above, the garage also had a Picasso 2.0 Hdi diesel in which needed a new ECU, after only 70,000 miles! Cost around £900, not bad for a car probably only worth £4 -5K!

[AlanFC]

Well, what can I say, fault has now been cured for the princely sum of £60!

 

Took it to a Citroen dealer in another town, (My local one is useless). Due to high cost of part they insisted on their own diagnostic test else I would be held liable for the cost of replacement part if it proved not to cure the problem.

 

I agreed, and they handed back the car an hour and a half later saying they cured it by reprogramming the ECU.

 

Garages....it's just pot luck isn't it? I consider myself lucky, despite the misdiagnosis by the first garage.

[citroeneddie]

Alan

 

Was the first dealer part of a big chain and the second a small family operator?

 

I just get the impression that the bigger ones have targets to meet. :angry:

[AlanFC]

The first guy was a small independent recommended to me by a Delphi fuel system agent who was too far for me to travel to.

 

The second was a large chain here in Scotland (Arnold Clark)

[AlanFC]

The first guy was a small independent recommended to me by a Delphi fuel system agent who was too far for me to travel to.

 

The second was a large chain here in Scotland (Arnold Clark)

[AlanFC]

Well, I'm afaraid to say the saga continues!

 

Last week the problem recurred after 3 months, took it to dealer and they reprogrammed the thing again,

 

This time it took less than 24 hrs for the fault to return, dealer says that he will have to seek expert opinion from other dealers etc.

 

Taking the car in on Monday for their top tecchie to have a look, I am not hopeful this time, If its going to be a biggie, I'll just scrap it and buy a Toyota.

 

So come on then speak up, I can't be the only lucky one!