Any known early failure modes for C5 HDI clutches?

pete_wood_uk · Post by **pete_wood_uk** » 11 Nov 2008, 14:13

Hi All

Having started slipping its clutch whilst on holiday, my C5 HDI (2.0 16V, 136bhp) is now with the main dealer to be looked at.

As far as I'm concerned, it should be a warranty issue - I've driven hundreds of thousands of miles and never shagged a clutch (changed one in a TD because of the getting-heavier-til-the-clip-goes-ping problem, but that's different). The car's 18 months old and has done 30k miles, 12k of those with me, the previous 18k with a dealer staff member. However, the dealers have spoken to Citroen and warned me that *if* they take it to pieces and find that it's fair wear and tear, then I'll end up paying. Which is fair enough, I suppose, in terms of ass covering.

So I just wondered if anyone on here has had any experience with early failures of these clutches? It does of course have the dreaded DMF, I believe...

Symptoms are that if you have it at around 2000rpm in gears 4/5/6, and nail it (ie hit the torque peak and don't let the car accelerate) then it slips. Not far, revs rise by about 200-300rpm (presumably we fall off the torque peak again after that), but enough to indicate slippage. In the lower three gears it may or may not be happening but the car's accelerating so quickly that you can't concentrate on noise and needles...

No sign of rattling or clanking or other signs of imminent DMF demise.

If and when we get a diagnosis, I'll report back on this thread for the benefit of all.

Cheers
Pete

steelcityuk · Post by **steelcityuk** » 11 Nov 2008, 15:21

Quite a common problem with some HDi's I believe, though neither of my HDi's have had the problem. I would guess that the extra torque of the 136 HDi coupled to the size of the car doesn't help. I've seen various postings where owners have advised against 'chipping' the 110 HDi because the clutch won't last. Can you have a solid flywheel fitted instead?

Steve.

bencowell · Post by **bencowell** » 11 Nov 2008, 16:56

I have a tuned 2.0 110 HDI. The clutch did slip, but upon removal the friction material looked brand new.

It was replaced with a solid flywheel replacement from Valeo. The clutch is now much lighter and nicer to use than before. But I can't see one for the 2.0 HDI 16v when I look on the website. Give Valeo a call as they might be just about to launch one.

I know that Citroen changed the design of the clutch and flywheel on some HDI models in 2007/08. Subscribe to service.citroen.com, enter your VIN and see if your clutch or flywheel components have been updated.

Hope this is of some use.

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 11 Nov 2008, 17:27

How much was the solid flywheel kit for the 2.0? I don't like the idea of driving around with a time bomb under the bonnet and I partially blame the DMF (and my wife's habit of using Tesco fuel) for our C5's sluggish performance.

bencowell · Post by **bencowell** » 11 Nov 2008, 20:06

I can't remember exactly what the solid flywheel, clutch, bearing and pressure plate kit cost, I remember it being about £300. It was fitted by an independent citroen specialist.

It was 41,000 miles and 2 years ago though, so I can be forgiven for forgetting the exact price.

Ben

pete_wood_uk · Post by **pete_wood_uk** » 12 Nov 2008, 10:37

Thanks for the replies. My usual mechanic was talking in passing about the Valeo solid-flywheel kit a few weeks ago, as a potential solution for if and when my HDi 110 Xantia gives up the ghost (assuming it's got a DMF, don't actually know and it's got 145k miles on it and still going strong...).

As for the C5 however, it's under the manufacturer's warranty, so I'll get what they give me, unless it's the brush-off in which case I'll be stroppy...

Cheers
Pete

pete_wood_uk · Post by **pete_wood_uk** » 12 Nov 2008, 16:17

Just heard from the dealer:

"Clutch cover auto adjustment had incorrect settings causing premature wear. Not drivers fault. Recommending to Citroen for £800 warranty replacement, will be done after approval (up to 48hrs)."

Not quite sure what it means, except that it means (a) I don't have to pay for it

and (b) I get to bounce around in their Xsara Picasso for a few more days

Pete

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 12 Nov 2008, 18:19

pete_wood_uk wrote:Thanks for the replies. My usual mechanic was talking in passing about the Valeo solid-flywheel kit a few weeks ago, as a potential solution for if and when my HDi 110 Xantia gives up the ghost (assuming it's got a DMF, don't actually know and it's got 145k miles on it and still going strong...).

The Xantia has a proper flywheel. I seriously considered breaking mine for its flywheel.

pete_wood_uk · Post by **pete_wood_uk** » 14 Nov 2008, 13:59

Just got my C5 back with its new clutch. Always hard to tell when you've driven another car in between, but it seems a lot heavier and sharper than it did before. I wonder if they've changed design of the the mechanism, or whether it just means that the spring is now working properly...?

Cheers
Pete