Engine doesn't feel right.

Hi all

I recently purchase a 2007 C3 and I've notice that the engine seems to slightly labour at 30mph in 4th gear. It just doesn't feel right.

Also, say I'm approaching a speed camera and due to force of habit, I slow to between 27mph and 25mph in 4th gear, the car shudders as though I need to drop a gear. Is this normal? My last diesel (Peugeot) was a 2.0L not a 1.6L and it never did that. Could the engine size have something to do with it?

Also, when I'm moving off from a stop to say 40mph, there seems to be a noticeable half second delay from depressing the accelerator to getting a change in speed from the engine. I'll depress the accelerator and the engine will think about it then suddenly shoot the car forward. It's slightly irritating to be honest. I've still got two weeks warranty left from the dealership I bought it from, I'm I justified in taking it back and asking them to check it over, or am I seeing things that are not there?

Thank you for any and all help

David.

Hi DavoExiled

I saw your question in time for my drive home in a 1.4 diesel C3, its the 16v version and quite a few years older than yours and probably a bit less torque/power than the 1.6 that you have.

DavoExiled wrote:Also, say I'm approaching a speed camera and due to force of habit, I slow to between 27mph and 25mph in 4th gear, the car shudders as though I need to drop a gear. Is this normal? My last diesel (Peugeot) was a 2.0L not a 1.6L and it never did that. Could the engine size have something to do with it?

I did the drive at 40 in 4th, eased off the accelerator and the allowed the speed to go down to 25mph and then eased the accelerator down and the car didn't shudder, it just climbed gradually in speed back up to 40.

I would hazard a guess at a dirty or sticking EGR valve for your low end lack of power, well its a place to look.

DavoExiled wrote:Also, when I'm moving off from a stop to say 40mph, there seems to be a noticeable half second delay from depressing the accelerator to getting a change in speed from the engine. I'll depress the accelerator and the engine will think about it then suddenly shoot the car forward.

This doesn't sound typical either. Mine doesn't do that, well, I wouldn't describe it as that. You seem to be lacking in the 'bottom end' and this could be dirty MAF, sticky EGR or some problem like that with the air intake/measurement.

DavoExiled wrote: I've still got two weeks warranty left from the dealership I bought it from, I'm I justified in taking it back and asking them to check it over, or am I seeing things that are not there?

It doesn't seem right to me, but its very subjective. If the dealer has another diesel C3 to test drive, maybe you could have a go in that one to compare?

Thank you very much for all your advice.

I took the C3 back to the dealership where I bought it from for them to have a look at it, especially after the engine started to shudder and nearly die on me the other night. It's going in on Friday 19th, so I'll post a reply on here after they've checked it over and I'll tell you what they found.

Thank you again.

David.

DavoExiled wrote:I'll post a reply on here after they've checked it over and I'll tell you what they found.

Thank you. Gather as much paperwork as possible and try to get them to put things in writing