The first Citroen C6 in South Africa aka ‘Eloise’

[cornesoutafrica]

I haven't received an issue related to the EGR in the thousand kilometers I have done since the blank. The glowplug faultcode has been there since I got the car. P1351 code

[GiveMeABreak]

It should at some point Alasdair - probably a depollution fault as the EGR assists with regeneration.

@Corne: It is illegal in Europe to defeat emissions equipment and it's something the forum won't enter into as per A.7.i of the AUP so we'll leave that topic parked.

As for the glowplugs - it could be the plugs or the relay - you'll probably have a P1350 or P1351 fault for this, depending and is extremely common on PSA HDI engines. Although they rarely need the glow plugs for starting, they again, do assist with regeneration and are part of post ignition. I don't recall if Diagbox will tell you which plugs if it is the plugs - but normally, at the point one needs doing, it's a safe bet to do the others at the same time.

[cornesoutafrica]

Hi Marc.

I realised Im on the verge of getting in trouble. So won’t mention it again. Although it is a test for me personally. I’d like to see what happens. But anycase. Let’s leave it at that.

Ok. Understand that the car rarely needs it for starting but I’d still like to repair the glowplug function. Will just replace them all then as the diagnostic system never told me exactly which one. So will replace them all as your recommendation.

I am however stumped about the speedcontrol. Can you perhaps tell me where to start looking? I read that the switched are also troublesome?

[mickthemaverick]

You can test the individual glow plugs with a multimeter. Remove the plugs and measure the resistance of each plug from electrical connector to the body of the plug. Set the meter on the lowest ohm scale you have. I believe a good reading will be in the 2-5 ohm range and any higher or no reading at all indicates failure or partial failure. Someone (Marc ) will confirm what the correct reading should be as I don't have my info to hand. Of course if one plug is radically different from the rest, that will be your problem. If you have a new plug already, then test that to give you the correct figure. Good luck!

[GiveMeABreak]

I assume by 'Speed Control' you mean the cruise control / limiter functions Corne?

When you say you've pressed all the switches on the steering wheel - you do realise you need to press the cruise / limiter button twice in quick succession to put the Cruise Control on 'Standby' mode and you press it once to put the Limiter on standby, in each case then ready to accept a programmed speed with the 'SET+' and 'SET -'?

Let me know if this resolves the issue or not.

Failing that, then there will be another cause - typically, that either the engine ECU (in the case of a fault with the air / fuel system) or the ESP ECU (where there is an issue with a wheel speed sensor or other fault). I doubt it will be with the ESP ECU, as that will flag the ESP warning light on the dash.

If there is still an engine fault though, depending on which fault, one of the back up modes can deactivate the speed regulation / limiting functions.

[Stickyfinger]

Every EML lamp I have had has killed the cruse/limiter function until cleared.

[cornesoutafrica]

Hi Marc.

Well the issue with the speedcontrol was fixed by tapping the underside of the steering binnacle. It works great now.

I actually left on holiday today. Did 1300km with Eloise. Was a very very nice drive. Fuel-economy was rather disappointing. The onboard system stated I did 6.6 liter per 100 km.(or 42mpg) After filling up it was more like 8.6 liter per 100km. (Or 32.8mpg).

What do you guys think of the figures? Is 32mpg bad? I might mention. I had a constant sidewind and turned headon and since it was a very quiet road I did drive around 135km/h or 83mph.

[GiveMeABreak]

Anything over 70 ish and your economy will nosedive Corne. I only get 42.8 on my C5 X7 2.0 HDi and I live in rural hilly Wales. I would use Trip 1 for trips and checking MPG on those trips and leave Trip 2 for your ongoing total average.

[cornesoutafrica]

Hi Marc.

Ok. I see. Will do it that way. Guess that the mileage I got is decent then. Also this has been the first very long trip since I got her. Possibly the computer still needs time to adjust accordingly.

As a sidenote. When I replaced the ABS sensor and dropped the tank I noticed the Eolys tank is VERY low on fluid. When will the car notice it is low or empty? Is there a set amount of fluid as a triggerlimit? Some of it got on my hand. Saw it is a darkbrownish coloured fluid with a dull odour....? Is that correct?
I did check the tailpipe and there is a very thin black soot film on the tailpipe. Is that correct or should there be no residue. Sorry for the question. But I am wondering if my Eolys fluid could possibly be finished and the car is not registering it. All electronic connections was plugged back in after installing the tank. And for the complete trip down there was no error messages not engine light.

[cornesoutafrica]

Hi everyone.

Just an update so far. Bit of driving today. Did a check underneath and saw some moistness on driverside subframe. Seems driverside strut is starting to leak. No drops yet. But I guess it will be time soon. Who is a good supplier that can be recommended?

[GiveMeABreak]

I and a few other members have purchased from Polish suppliers who make them for Citroen - there are a few on ebay if you google the part numbers.

Your issue is going to be that on the C6 V6 engines, they have the AMVAR system, so each strut has an electronic actuator on the top, so these are more expensive (considerably) than the versions for the C5 X7 Corne.

The right strut is part 5271L8 and the left strut is part: 5271L7.

Here is a search I did on the UK ebay site (watch the part numbers as the ones for the C5s are NOT the same!) - only a few listed and not cheap....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... 8&_sacat=0

[cornesoutafrica]

Hi Marc.

Thanks. I did notice there are different units and my car needs the more expensive unit. I will keep a lookout for units. Hopefully sometime a cheaper unit will come along. Otherwise. Will just have to bite the bullet. Thanks for the help Marc.

A question. The correct Eolys fluid. If I remember there correctly. There are a few different versions? What type do I need to get?

Since it is my first long trip. Here is a few pictures of Eloise’s first south African ocean visit. Can’t think of a better car to drive though. Even if she is high maintenance. It is worth it. Hope the pictures are right way up. Everytime they seem to be wrong side up

[Paul-R]

Well, you are on the other side of the world...

[cornesoutafrica]

Ahhh. Now there is the actual issue. Makes perfect sense lol

[myglaren]

Well, you are on the other side of the world...

Good job there is plenty of gravity down there.