New Member - Just like to say 'Hello' - common faults?

Hi, Just like to say 'Hello' i have just purchased a 52 plate c3 1.4hdi exclusive, i brought this on the fuel savings alone as i travel to Torquay from Walsall once a month and as i was using a land rover discovery i am expecting some real savings. What am i likely to find faulty with the c3. it has 82000 miles and full service history, but on the drive home i heard a clunk to the front nearside wheel. other than a service and valet all else seems ok at the moment.....Martin

Hi Martin, welcome to the forum.

martinbingo wrote:What am i likely to find faulty with the c3. it has 82000 miles

You could be ready for some chuffing from the engine bay due to a faulty injector seal

Knocking from under the near side front, could be the Drop Link (topic)

or Front Brake Caliper fault


At 100k the dog-bone lower engine mount may well need replacing to cure the knocking sound on start-up.


Don't forget to drain the water from the fuel filter on each oil change and change the fuel filter when it should be done to help avoid injector trouble.

Don't change the glow plugs if the engine is difficult to start, these are not the problem unless its sub-zero c.

The 1.4HDI 2002 has a choice of 2 distinct engine variants - the 16v and the 8v - its important to know which one you have when you get engine problems as they have quite different configurations.


Lots of people mention a high clutch biting point on the Citroen C3

I had the clunking on my C3 when I first got it. When I got it serviced was told it was probably the loose anti-roll bar. Was cheap to replace. However the knocking occasionally returns and have had the suspension etc fully checked over - no problems. My conclusion is that the spash guard seems to "knock" when going over bumps some of the time?

Welcome to the forum c316vHDI

If its the under engine tray (as found on the 'exclusive') then you will definitely need some of these clips - found on eBay

If you get the noise when clutching/declutching/accelerating/decelerating then it could well be the dog bone engine/gearbox lower mount - on eBay as this is a common fault on 100k+ cars.


Citroen C3 has clunk when you pull away and change to second gear is an example.