Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

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Euanatkinson
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Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by Euanatkinson »

Hi everyone,

I bought a 1.6 Citroen Berlingo Swb van a few weeks back. It’s had full service with new cam belt, breaks, tyres etc, seemed like a solid buy at 100k miles

I didn’t notice when I went to see it but on the first start of the day it’s kicking out a fair bit of white smoke. It also sounds slightly rough when starting up. when hill starting on a steep hill it seems very sluggish and hesitant but will then kick into action and on a few occasions when reversing on a steep hill it’s also kicked out some black smoke a few times

I bought it privately but with full service history and On previous MoTs it has failed Exhaust emissions tests.

It’s been for a check out at a Citroen dealer and they suggested I took it for a bomb down the motorway as it’s most likely been used for stop start driving so I did that yesterday, but seems similar today.

Any advice on what to do here?


Thanks a lot
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Dormouse
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Re: Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by Dormouse »

my ducato did that and it returned a fuel rail set of errors. cleared the faults and it is running fine. Passed it's MOT. It has stood unused a lot (and still does) so I am not exactly sure what caused it. Get a set of readings downloaded and see what shows up. If your problem is fuel pressure sensor related then there are lots of potential helpers here. There are other possibilities too.
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Re: Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by moizeau »

Does it bring up the MIL?
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Dormouse
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Re: Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by Dormouse »

It did on my van. It has behaved since but the van is not moving much at the moment. Not convinced I won't have to do more.
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moizeau
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Re: Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by moizeau »

Mine was the egr, very strong smell of diesel when cold, OK when warmed up.
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Dormouse
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Re: Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by Dormouse »

That is what I actually suspect too. Pint Pot, as the van is called, had a short engine fitted 35000 miles ago and I am certain nothing else was replaced. Torn ligaments in my knee is stopping me from tearing things apart at the moment. I can't hear a clear EGR cycle after I switch off but I am going to service a whole host of things before Pint Pot is finished.
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Dormouse
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Re: Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by Dormouse »

Sorry Euan for hijacking your thread. EGR is a possibility but I would ask everyone else out there to come back to you with their thoughts. Fault codes are still a handy thing.
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Dormouse
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Re: Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by Dormouse »

While you are waiting for other replies Euan, try a reputable diesel additive to help clean the EGR and other parts of the engine. Yes, getting the whole engine and exhaust completely hot for a good 30 minutes plus is a good thing. Pootling about will never get the complete set up "warm". By hot I don't just mean getting the temperature gauge up, I mean hard driving to raise the complete system above normal and no I don't mean thrash it. There is a difference.
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Hell Razor5543
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Re: Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

There is what is known as "An Italian Tune Up". This is taking the vehicle out for a long FAST drive (at least 30 minutes) to allow the vehicle to properly 'clear her throat'. If I am taking my vehicle for an MoT (as opposed to getting others to do it) I will make sure to get her nicely warmed up, as this will certainly help with the emissions test (as a warmed up engine produces less soot than a cold one).

I have used Wynns Diesel Injector Cleaner on every vehicle I have owned on the first tank of fuel I put in them. As I don't know how they have been driven before I got them I want to help clear their pipes. I bought three bottles from ebay recently for £14, which is quite a saving. You put ONE bottle into a full tank (I put it in before adding the diesel, as this will ensure it gets properly mixed into the fuel).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143927389437 ... 2749.l2649
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Dormouse
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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: Slightly rough start + smoke, not great at low revs

Post by Dormouse »

Loading the vehicle with extra weight (not overloading it) and finding a long steady incline/open hill to power up will "heat" the engine system up better than a run on the level. Not always easy to find for people in an urban area.
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