Help please

[Peter.N.]

I understand how you feel but in my opinion PSA engines are about the most reliable there are, especially the 8 valve Hdi, they can be good for 3-400k miles. I'm afraid all modern diesels have there problems and some are more difficult and more expensive to fix than citroen.

Peter

[white exec]

A diesel of your vintage will probably have a simple oxidation cat (ceramic honeycomb), and these can get blocked with soot, especially if the car has been used mostly for local driving, and without regular fast/motorway journeys. Exclusive diet of supermarket/cheap fuel doesn't help.

If only partially blocked, an Italian Tune-up may well clear it - fifteen minutes of fast driving, at 3000rpm-ish. This literally blows the cat clean, shifting accumulated soot. Also use a heavy dose of Miller's or Wynn's diesel fuel teatment (about 200:1 for a poor case - i.e. 100ml into 20L of fuel); this will clean up the injectors over a tankful or so, and reduce the level of soot being blown through the exhaust. Normal dose is 1000:1.

Diesels do not like exhaust back pressure; power is reduced significantly. If car drives well without the cat fitted (this will be noisy in a car without a turbo, surprisingly quiet with one), the problem is identified. Either replace the cat, or take alternative (de-clogging) action.

Good luck with it, whichever way it goes.

[RPWC]

What you say is correct Chris, apart from the diet of supermarket fuel. I use Esso and She'll , as these are the garages where I work, the van does mainly short journeys, about 15/20 mins each way,it is then stopped and started ,moved 100yds or so at a time ,several times a day, so the cat will get clogged up,easily.
I am going to replace it once I have tested it again to make sure I am certain this is the problem. I have already taken the steps you mention, such as high dose of injector cleaner, taking for fast drive along motorway/dual carriageway, but it is obviously beyond clearance and in need of replacement.

[white exec]

Had the same on our diesel RAV4 few years ago, despite regular motorway use, and good branded fuel. A very very small-mesh honeycomb, almost 30cm in length. Engine choked for power - honeycomb 80% blocked with soot - prevented high engine revs altogether. Did everything above, and eventually cleared the obstruction out by "drastic measures"; not universally applauded, but a complete cure, and has been fine ever since. If you do poke things clean, and don't like the arrangement, you can always buy a new replacement, and nothing lost. Not always possible, depending on box/pipe design.

[RPWC]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BM80193-Catal ... SwdIFXy~Eq this is the type I have Chris, sits in between front and rear silencers.

[RPWC]

just disconnected cat again, with it connected, van would struggle to get to 50 on a slight hill, with it disconnected, it would pull 50 to 60 and do 70/80 on the dual carriageway.
No black smoke coming from exhaust either.

[RPWC]

Fitted new cat tonight, but it took 2 &1/2 hours to remove old one from rear section. I was like a pitman by the time I finished.

[myglaren]

Hope that is your problem solved now Rich.
Took a bit of getting there though

[white exec]

Good result, and problem solved by the sound of it.
That advertised cat price was rather good.

[RPWC]

Anyone fancy a cheap van? New discs pads,starter battery,front springs,rear wheel cylinders handbrake cables, front caliper, radiator, flasher unit and cat. MOT June 2017, recent service cam belt changed at 66000, mileage now 105000. Good condition apart from a few scatches and a dent in passenger door. Price around £1000 Ono