Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it

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Mon 13 May 2013 13:21
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - frustrated taxi driver

Good Afternoon

Last resort for me now, should have come here first.

I use a 2010 (new model) Citroen Berlingo Multispace as a taxi. Always fully serviced and only driven by myself. Its done 120,000 miles. The car has developed some very annoying faults that the main dealer simply don't have any clue as to the problem. I have aslo taken the car to a diesel specialist who also can't pinpoint the fault. Both main dealer and the diesel specialist seem to think if given enough time (& ££££) they could get to the bottom of the problems. I've already thrown almost £1,000 don't want to spend much more unless I know the fault will be fixed. I am still using the taxi on a daily basis but really need to sort it out.

PROBLEMS

The car fires up first time in the morning every time. As the day goes on it struggles and sometimes can take 10 goes to start.

When car has been running for a good time the throttle sometimes does not pick up. The engine will be ticking over, put foot on throttle and nothing happens. If you try and pull away it will obviously stall. Because i can usually tell when its going to happen i can slowly tease the rev's up with some gently persuasion before trying to pull away. If the car does stall at this time it is very difficult to start.

There are no fault codes on the car and the engine mamagement light does not come on. In fact, the computer says that the car has never had a fault in its life!

DIAGNOSIS

Because no fault codes show up the main dealer monkeys really didn't know where to start. I'm not sure what they did for the £500 but essentially they told me they were not sure if it was mechanical or electrical fault. They could (probably) fix if given enough time? up yo me apparently!

Diesel Specialist checked injectors and pump, all good, injectors a little dirty but now cleaned up. Pressure OK. One possible clue he gave me was that the tick over speed is low. about 750 if memory serves me. He said there is no way of adjusting up (not sure if this is true)

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I'm probably going to set fire to it and push it off a cliff shortly so if anyone has any ideas or suggestions for me to look at i would very much appreciate your advise.

There is a crate of beer or a box of wine for correct diagnosis!!!! genuine offer

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Thanks for reading

Paul

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Mon 13 May 2013 18:17
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - madf

Throttle position snsor - if it has one - is failing. Works when cold, fails when hot. No fault codes. Easy check: substiute for good one or use proper test equipment to read signal from sensor.

Ditto cam and carnks position sensors- but failure here would stop engine so unlikely.

EGR valve coked up. Works when cold. When hot .. fails.. Easy check Remove. and clean.

The above are simple and should have been checked by any semi competent garage.

Then: blocked up catalyst/exhaust... Less likely..

After that, I bow out.

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Mon 13 May 2013 18:24
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - frustrated taxi driver

I would hope that the garages i have been to would have checked these. I will take a look myself just incase.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

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Mon 13 May 2013 21:37
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - ib33

Just wonder if it is a blocked diesel particulate filter. Have you had to have your ELOYs fluid refilled? (this is automatically pumped into your fuel tank everytime you refill) as what I have read this needs filling after 80K miles.

Some diesel specialists can remove these DPFs but not sure if it is legal but might be worth checking if it is full/blocked.

Hope you have some luck!

Regards

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Tue 14 May 2013 12:50
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - frustrated taxi driver

My berlingo has the earlier euro 4 engine that does not have the eloy fluid. A friend has a 60 plate (6 months newer than mine) with the euro 5 engine and he has had to refil this fluid. An eye watering £100 i believe!

I will definately check the diesel particulate filter.

thanks

paul

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Wed 15 May 2013 21:44
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - ib33

Hi Paul,

I thought they all had to have the eloys fluid for the DPF to work? Does yours definitely have a DPF?

I was interested in buying a Berlingo but am put off by DPF and the eloys complications, so might look at a petrol with lpg or an earlier model with out all the complicated stuff!

Do any of your taxi mates run the petrol lpg version?

Have you made any further progress with your engine problem?

Regards, Ian

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Fri 17 May 2013 11:48
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - frustrated taxi driver

My 2010 berlingo does not have this DPF. I don't know any taxi drivers using LPG. I've heard of issues and have never considered it as an option.

I haven't made any progress with the engine problems yet. I'm compliing a list of potential solutions and have booked the car in over half term for a couple days.

hopefully will solve the problem and will of course report back any findings.

Thanks again

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Thu 16 May 2013 20:33
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - Cyd

I'm thinking that it's having trouble pumping air, either because of a blockage in the intake or the exhaust.

Get yourself some of this stuff:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121021449475?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_2437wt_721
and give your turbo compressor side a good clean out.

I used to clean the compressor of my Rover (petrol) turbo regularly and now do so on my Saab Aero. I usually do so each year (about 8k) and it makes the pick up from idle better. I've just done my vans turbo (Citroen HDi motor) for the first time ever (77k) and it has made a huge difference to the running. I don't know why I haven't done it before - I really should know better.

I first started cleaning out my compressor after having a conversation with a Garrett engineer who was inspecting warranty returned turbos (I was a Warranty Engineer for LRJ at the time). The state of some of the returned turbos was horrific!

If this is first time clean, then remove the intake and output hoses and spray cleaner into the compressor and turn it by hand to swirl it about. Place plenty of rag over the output port and crank the motor - don't let it run more than a few seconds, just enough for the turbo to spit out the dirty fluid. Then clean with engine running following the instructions.

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Fri 17 May 2013 11:51
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - frustrated taxi driver

I've just ordered some. worth a try.

I'm not convinced the vehicle has a turbo issue because it boosts. the issue seems to stem around the starting and throttle problems.

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Mon 20 May 2013 22:11
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - Micky-BO

The fuel pressure would need to be checked at both hot &cold if the fuel pressure is border line cold as it warms up it goes thin hense hard starting when warm. By the same token a faulty starter when cold starts no problem but draws to many amps when warm starving the injectors of power. On quite a few vehicles this can be down to crankshaft position sensor going open circuit when warm. I would certainly be checking out these Hth Regards Mickeybo

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Thu 30 May 2013 10:14
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - frustrated taxi driver

Cars been in garage for 2 days. Tried most of the suggestions.

Will report findings after a couple days work.

thanks for your help

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Sat 1 Jun 2013 13:22
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - ib33

Hi, how did you get on with the garage, have they found what was causing the throttle problem?

Has the turbo cleaner made any difference?

Regards,

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Sat 1 Jun 2013 13:24
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - ib33

Forgot to mention that there is a berlingo forum that I have found just in case you want to post your problem there:

http://www.berlingoforum.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=2135

Regards

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Wed 5 Jun 2013 18:43
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - frustrated taxi driver

I have tried all suggestions and still the problem persists. Looks like the bonfire although i will post the problem on the berlingo furum mentioned below.

TBH i was pretty sure the turbo was ok but i bought some of that turbo cleaner and was impressed with the results, as was my mechanic. have since used it on a couple of my other taxis.

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Wed 5 Jun 2013 18:47
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - frustrated taxi driver

The throttle problem persists. Although its annoying i can live with this issue.

The real problem and the one i want sorted most is the hot starting problem. Usually you can leave it for 3-5 minutes and it will fire up after a coupleof try's. Today i had to get the damn thing recovered off the taxi rank!

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Wed 5 Jun 2013 21:23
Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.6 HDI 2010 - Starting&Throttle Issues. Main dealer can't fix it - Collos25

I cannot believe a genuine Citröen agent cannot find the fault with your car,your fault is not unusual normally caused by a gummed up EGR valve and adjoining parts or turbo actuator.

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