2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

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jamescarruthers
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2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by jamescarruthers »

Hello all. Apologies that this is an incredibly vague request for help but bear with me!

As some of you know I look after my sister’s 2001 C5 2.2. She tells me that as she is pulling in to a parking space the engine sometimes slowly dies. I can’t get her to narrow it down more than that.

I drove it a month or two ago and it drove beautifully.

Background that could be helpful:
About a year ago it wouldn’t start once when I had it and it seems that cleaning the connector to the stop solenoid cured this. Could cutting out be related to this stop solenoid somehow?

A few months ago it had 2nd hand parts fitted: MAF and wiring to it and Eolys tank, pump and ECU.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
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Dormouse
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by Dormouse »

Hi. Does this happen only when there is fair bit of steering lock on or at any time with or without steering being applied?
jamescarruthers
Donor 2023
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by jamescarruthers »

Dormouse wrote: 17 Apr 2021, 14:12 Hi. Does this happen only when there is fair bit of steering lock on or at any time with or without steering being applied?
I will ask if it steering related. It may be as she mentions pulling in to a parking space.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
jamescarruthers
Donor 2023
Posts: 213
Joined: 25 Oct 2016, 19:31
Location: Cambridge
My Cars: 1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
x 48

Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by jamescarruthers »

Just had this slightly better description and doesn’t mention steering after I asked:
It doesn't lose power when I'm driving, it's just when stationary, waiting in traffic or something. It hasn't cut out yet, the revs just go really low, up and down and you can feel it almost cutting out
I don’t know much about MAFs but is there some sort adjustment on these now that it has one installed from another car? (supplied by Edwards & Sons and installed by Chevronics when they had it)
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
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Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by Dormouse »

Is the car a manual. Does the car get left in gear with the clutch down while sitting waiting. If it does, try going into neutral while stationary.
jamescarruthers
Donor 2023
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by jamescarruthers »

Dormouse wrote: 17 Apr 2021, 18:24 Is the car a manual. Does the car get left in gear with the clutch down while sitting waiting. If it does, try going into neutral while stationary.
It is a manual (with the Dual Mass Flywheel DMF rather sadly changed for a fixed single flywheel by the previous owner— this rather spoils the 1st gear experience IMHO).

I will ask her to try to rest the clutch when waiting in traffic.

Why would this help? Are these known not to release properly? I think being a torquey diesel it wouldn’t care one little bit about a bit of drag in the system.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
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Dormouse
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Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by Dormouse »

I am a bit old fashioned here and actually suspect an under par engine being dragged down by extra mechanical loads on the engine at low speed. The fact that you have driven the car and find it ok just reminds me of issues I used to find and treat years ago. I suspect the car (like us all) is getting "older" and "settled" and that it actually might be just a bit "stale". Keeping the clutch in loads up the thrust bearings and robs power from the engine. The steering bleeds power too and if the car is slowly settling with age, a mechanical issue is just as likely rob the engine of power as any of the electronics. If you want my advice on how I would handle this I would rather personal message you after you have had feedback from a few others. Some of my methods will appear to be off the wall to the average reader and I don't wish to attract derision. Some are just straight forward solutions. cheers
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Dormouse
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Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by Dormouse »

I should add that I always listened to the explanations from the main driver very carefully as the clues were always there if not in exact technical language. Your sister knows her car best as she drives the most. She knows something is not as it should be.
jamescarruthers
Donor 2023
Posts: 213
Joined: 25 Oct 2016, 19:31
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by jamescarruthers »

I would be interested in any solutions and am open to all of your ideas! The problem is that I won’t have my hands on the car again for months. She can drive around it she says as she can just give it a bit of throttle to stop the revs going really low, then up and down while it is supposed to be idling.

I asked about the steering and being in gear and she says that doesn’t have an effect. She actually thinks that when sitting in neutral it is worse.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by Dormouse »

interesting! start with injector cleaning is my first thought. the idle speed is not really adjustable and the sequence the ecu uses to prevent stalling is not adequate now - hence the small "cough" as the engine tries to recover. I believe the engine is in need of "interior spring cleaning" , a good clear out to restore its idling (and to a lesser degree, mid range performance). there will be lots of other bits and bobs not in their prime either but I would sort things out one at a time. This all assumes that there are no age cracks in any of the air pipes to the manifold or other slight leaks at associated pipes that will fool the ecu.
jamescarruthers
Donor 2023
Posts: 213
Joined: 25 Oct 2016, 19:31
Location: Cambridge
My Cars: 1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
x 48

Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by jamescarruthers »

I do know that when Chevronics had it they said that it held vacuum well when they had their Mity-Vac on it.

I think you are right about the spring cleaning being required. I have sent the injectors off on quite a few other cars for cleaning but I’ve heard that the 2.2 injectors seize in to the head sometimes which scares me a bit.

Unless something else breaks, over the summer I will try to borrow it for a week and get the injectors sent away for a clean and also clean out the EGR pipe work and valve if possible.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by Dormouse »

yes they can. I would see if any local firm can offer reputable in situ fuel line/injector cleaning. there is always the pour the can in the tank method but don't ask me to recommend a brand. I do have a method of cleaning combustion chambers of soft carbon but I would only pm you with it to see your reaction. silly question, when was the fuel filter last changed and cleaned?
jamescarruthers
Donor 2023
Posts: 213
Joined: 25 Oct 2016, 19:31
Location: Cambridge
My Cars: 1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
x 48

Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by jamescarruthers »

It had a can of injector fluid poured in to the tank last year before she set off from Cambridge to Gateshead after visiting us.

The fuel filter was new last year and it hasn’t done mega miles since due to pandemic.

Feel free to PM me with any suggestions. I’ve heard about delicately squirting stuff in with it running and am up for this... I think
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
jamescarruthers
Donor 2023
Posts: 213
Joined: 25 Oct 2016, 19:31
Location: Cambridge
My Cars: 1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
x 48

Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by jamescarruthers »

I’ve ordered a bottle of Forte’s injector cleaner to pour in to the tank.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 3.0 petrol Exclusive
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
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Re: 2001 C5 2.2 cuts out sometimes

Post by Dormouse »

Forte is one of the brands I like. I have tried to send you a PM. have a look and see if I have appeared.
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