has lack of power at times on 1.4 HDi 16v

Hello all

I have just bought a year 2002 1.4 16valve C3 Diesel. I bought this quiet cheap as it has a fault. The fault is that every now and then it has a power loss. Driving it you realise it had a delay in the power coming in. It feels like turbo lag but i know several things can cause this. I have today checked the wastgate valve and its free and without leaks. At times when it feels like it ther eis a bad power loss and you lucky to get 45 MPH If you stopp a few min and key off Restart is normaly clears. No fault codes are shown and no warning lamps.
I am taking it into the garage where I used to work tonight to try on the TEXA machine but just wondered if there were any comon faults. When the power comes in it goes very well.

Regards Ken

Hello kerabo, welcome to the Citroen C3 forum!

I think I may be a bit late, but getting the codes (or finding no codes) is the way forward with this one.

Please do let us know the codes you get back (if any)

Hello thanks for the reply.

Well the last owner ran this for yeas and was unable to find the fault even with the AA computer. I have just returned from my old workplace and the TEXA machine found a faulty air flow meter .
With luck this should cure it i will let you know.

Regards ken

Hi I had a similar issue with a 2005 XTR, same engine.

It was the turbo vacuum valve. It would boost like a maniac
on occasions or not at all.

Logged no fault codes.

Cost about £30 for genuine part and about an hour to fit.

There are two of these valves one for turbo and one for egr system.

Other issues can be the variable vanes in the turbo becoming sticky due to egr system.

I subsequently disconnected this system.

If you change this make sure you reconnect the two pipes correctly.

Regards

Chris

Hello
Thanks all for the replys

i did check kthe turbo wastegate cylinder and it was a bit stiff but after freeing it off it made no difference. Air flow sensor quiet expensive for these engine.
Are these normaly a bit slow on the power coming in from driving away?

Regards Ken

Hi Ken,

This seems to be a fairly common problem on this engine. If you 'google' it you will see what I mean.

mine picks up and pulls like a train from about 1200rpm in any gear and revs cleanly to about 4500. I believe peak torque for this engine is 1750 rpm.

The electrovalve that controls the turbo is located on the back of the engine.

If you follow the vacuum pipe from the the turbo vane actuator you will find it.

I had to remove the complete air filter assembly to get to it. As you look at the engine it is on the rear left of the engine. (There are two and I believe they are identical.)

Since changing mine it is like having a new car.

A further issue I had was with the resonator where it connects to the turbo. The o ring blew and as it was on the high pressure side it caused an intermittent loss of boost.

Hope this helps.

regards

Chris

Corkish wrote:Hi Ken,

This seems to be a fairly common problem on this engine. If you 'google' it you will see what I mean.

mine picks up and pulls like a train from about 1200rpm in any gear and revs cleanly to about 4500. I believe peak torque for this engine is 1750 rpm.

The electrovalve that controls the turbo is located on the back of the engine.

If you follow the vacuum pipe from the the turbo vane actuator you will find it.

I had to remove the complete air filter assembly to get to it. As you look at the engine it is on the rear left of the engine. (There are two and I believe they are identical.)

Since changing mine it is like having a new car.

A further issue I had was with the resonator where it connects to the turbo. The o ring blew and as it was on the high pressure side it caused an intermittent loss of boost.

Hope this helps.

regards

Chris

I think you are correct Chris. I fitted the new mass air Flow sensor and its still the same. I wired the turbo wastgate open and its just as it should be but as expected brought on a warning light because of the high manifold pressure. At least i know it can be cured. I had a quick look for that valve and as yes did not find it but wil look a bit deeper. Dont supose you could point me to a picture. I just bought the haynes manual but cant see it in there.

Regards ken

Hi Ken

I will post a few pictures tomorrow and if I can find it the Citroen diagram I used.

Took me ages to find this fault as it logged no faults. I believe some of the Citroen diagnostics tools can monitor these valves.

From what I remember this system is not covered very well by the Haynes manual.

There is one picture of one of the valves on page 4C 3 fig 2.28b. This is the egr one the turbo one is next to it.

Regards

Chris

Thank you Chriss you have been very helpfull. I found the page in the haynes book but if you have better pics would love them.

Regards Ken

Hi Ken,

have attached some files as promised.

The engine shots shows the location of the valves(left arrow) and the resonator connection that also caused me some issues.

the in situ photos show the egr valve I think, the turbo one is next to it.

Without removing the air box it is very difficult to get a good shot.

They are held in place with a couple of bolts 8 or 10mm if I remember. Think I did most of it by feel, took about an hour including the strip down and reconnecting the pipes in the correct place! Would definitely recommend putting a piece of tape on one before removal.

There are two vacuum pipes and one electrical connector to each valve.

Having looked on the Citroen parts site I believe the two valves are identical.

For info the site is https://service.citroen.com

I registered for the free services and once you input the VIN number it gives you everything you could want to know about your car.


regards

Chris


EDIT: The electrovalve for the turbo and also for the EGR is available, new from - Here.