Lack of Power - Berlingo 1.9D Updated 7/2/02

courierstu72 · Post by **courierstu72** » 06 Feb 2004, 18:36

Did a run from Lancashire to London and back last night, noticed the van felt a bit sluggish. This morning I gave everything a quick once over, oil OK, coolent a bit low so topped up. Set off and after about a quarter of a mile suffered lack of power and engine splutter...pulled in and called out the AA (thank god I joined earlier this week after my coolant fan problem). AA man not sure on problem, there was a bit of carrier bag wrapped around the cambelt pulley and the engine did make a strange metalic sound when revved possible cam belt has slipped? Also suggested it could be injectors but he really wasn't sure. Checked through my fuel receipts to make sure I hadn't filled with petrol by mistake! Van has now been left with Citroen dealer [xx(] for diagnosis. Hope this doesn't turn out to be an expensive job as it is not my van, I lease it but responsiblity for maintainence and upkeep falls on me [xx(] Any suggestions would be appreciated, I'll let you know what happens!

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 06 Feb 2004, 19:26

I've heard of using nylon stockings as an emergency replacement for a fan belt, but never a carrier bag instead of a cambelt! (sorry - I just had too . . )
//NiSk

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 06 Feb 2004, 22:29

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">... there was a bit of carrier bag wrapped around the cambelt pulley and the engine did make a strange metalic sound when revved ...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Definately sounds like a hopped cambelt to me [:(]
The abnormal metallic sound is symptomatic for a diesel with wrong injection timing.
If the valves had kissed the pistons - the engine would more than likely be stone dead.
Seems to be a new cambelt and re-timing of the diesel roto-pump - nothing catastrophic.

courierstu72 · Post by **courierstu72** » 07 Feb 2004, 00:22

Citroen dealer found nothing wrong other than a loose pipe vibrating, will see what happens in the morning when I pick it up!

courierstu72 · Post by **courierstu72** » 07 Feb 2004, 18:14

<font face="Arial">A bit of an update for those who are interested. Collected van from dealer, and as I suspected problem still there, a bit pissed off that I paid £50 to be told nothing was wrong when obviously it was so I complained. Anyway van is now back with them for further investigation, my dad was behind me when I set off apparantly it was pumping out grey/black smoke, he says it looks like unburnt diesel, problem possibly a possibly a bent con rod? Which could account for the noise. I am rather pissed off because I lease this van for my work but the agreement I have is that I have to meet service and repair costs, fortunatly the guy I lease it off has agreed to pay and "we'll come to some arrangement", not best pleased as I've only had it two months...wow I've gone of the point here but wanted to get that rant of my chest! LOL!</font id="Arial">

courierstu72 · Post by **courierstu72** » 08 Feb 2004, 18:27

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 08 Feb 2004, 19:42

Sorry reading about the troubles you have.
Is the car still under factory warranty ?
- if not - then I'd definately choose a reputed diesel specialists garage - not a Citroen garage.

courierstu72 · Post by **courierstu72** » 09 Feb 2004, 00:15

It is out of warranty, I hope to wash my hands of it tommorow!
As I said earlier the van is leased, I don't object to paying for servicing, etc, but not a major breakdown after two months, especially when I have carried out regular checks on fluid levels etc, and I haven't "hammered" it. As far as I'm concerened there has been no neglect on my part. I reckon the average member of joe public could have got more than 12 months happy motoring out of it before any problems would have shown, but as I have done over 17,000 miles in it since I got it in December the problems have cropped up sooner.
Well I'm gonna cut my losses, wind my small business up if I carry on I'll be in deep debt next week, not something I want to do. Looks like I'll be heading for the agencies tommorow, but at least I had a go!

courierstu72 · Post by **courierstu72** » 12 Feb 2004, 02:56

[font=Arial][blue]Just another update, sorted my differences detailed in previous message amicably, Berlingo will not be coming back to me, and I am now job huting, but thats another story.
I'm told that the problem was caused by a faulty fuel control unit? Replaced at the cost of about £40 I believe. Anyway the strange thing was that it was the 2nd electrical problem in a few days (see my other post on this forum)!!!