All Things V6...

[DHallworth]

Argh... All I need to get the C5 running now is the MAP sensor I hope.

Everything else is done, brakes are cleaned up, brake fluid changed, just need to get it off the ramp now. As it's been running with no front wheels on it there's no pressure in the front suspension so the rear is at normal position and the front is now on it's bump stops, stuck hard against the jacking beam.

When I ordered the sensor on Monday the estimated delivery time was Wednesday 15th May. It was posted using 1st class signed for by the Royal Mail. It's now Thursday and still no sensor. I really hope it arrives tomorrow as the C5 is becoming a massive inconvenience being stuck on the ramp now.

The only other option I have is to take the sensor off the XM as it looks the same but I really don't want to start taking the XM apart, especially with it being so close to Wetherby. Knowing my luck the sensor wouldn't seal again and it would stop the XM running as well.

Hey ho, fingers crossed that the new sensor arrives tomorrow.

David.

[Mandrake]

Are you sure you can't start it with the MAP sensor unplugged so you can get it off the hoist ?

Mine will start (with a bit of difficulty) and run without it, by the time its warmed up a few minutes it actually runs fine, I drove mine around for a couple of days with it unplugged and if anything it performed better! (although the throttle response was a bit more abrupt and not as smooth as normal, especially at take off)

Map sensor is a temporary fault, so every time the engine is off for a while it "forgets" that it's faulty and then takes about 2-3 unsuccessful attempts at starting before the ECU logs a MAP sensor fault code and then successfully starts, ignoring the faulty sensor and using a fallback algorithm. (Basically TPS and RPM are used instead of MAP and RPM for calculating injector pulse width)

Block the hole with a rubber grommet if you can, use about 20% throttle when starting and try a number of times, it should start and keep running, if it doesn't there might be something else wrong as well...might be worth checking the TPS reading is accurate in the live sensor data as both faulty MAP and TPS together would definitely stop it running.

[DHallworth]

Well, I had a brain wave earlier... the V6 engine I've got for the Activa conversion has the old style sensor on it. I was sitting tonight trying to rack my brains and decided that I'd go and have a look under the bonnet of the Mallard Green V6 Xantia I've got that I originally bought for the V6 conversion... Much to my delight it was the same sensor.

I whipped it off, plugged it into the C5, had a quick prod with the Lexia and noticed that the reading on the MAP section had changed.

Took a couple of attempts to get it started but then it burst into life on all 6 cylinders again.

I cleared the workshop out and can confirm that the C5 is alive, and i've done a couple of miles in it tonight!! Everything is working great, gear change is silky smooth, engine is sweet as a nut. Brakes were spongy still so I reckon I need to bleed the brakes again.

At the moment there's no back box on it as it's fallen off so the noise is epic! The back box though is the biggest back box I've ever seen on a car! The centre silencer is tiny too!

Anyway, be interesting to see if it'll start again in the morning now, I am however going to bed smiling

David.

[Ben82]

That's awesome news David, congrats. Back as a contender for Wetherby now?

When they're running well the C5 V6 truly is an awesome car.

[DHallworth]

That's awesome news David, congrats. Back as a contender for Wetherby now?

Afraid not... I've not got the logbook through yet so couldn't get it taxed on time.

Need to do something about the backbox, need to change the tyres and bleed the brakes again, then she's ready for an MOT.

D

[Mandrake]

Excellent news that its running again David, I'm glad the MAP sensor diagnosis proved to be correct, even though it is a bit odd that it failed soon after the car was first back up and running again...

[Hell Razor5543]

That is absolutely BRILLIANT David. You have gone from (potentially) a heap of scrap to a great car. That is a gamble that has paid off.

Let me guess. Did the Royal Mail deliver your MAP sensor today? That would be the way of it.

[DHallworth]

Yup, the MAP sensor arrived today. Annoyingly the seller was advertised first class postage on the ebay listing, it turned up today with a 2nd class label on it so it's not really the Royal Mail's fault.

Things have turned again this morning... The bloody C5 won't start again. Am about to go and plug the Lexia into it and see what's going on. It's got to be something daft as it was running lovely last night!

I've got it parked next to the 406 Coupe today so I can get readings from them both and compare them. Hopefully that'll let us see what's dicking around.

David.

[Hell Razor5543]

Don't worry David, you will get there (after all, you know that she has run once, so that is half the battle). I think it is an automotive form of what a long term coma patient would go through after coming out of the coma. They have to re-learn how to walk, etc. Your C5 hasn't run for several years, so has to get re-acquainted with the concept of a running engine, gearbox, etc. (I know, I know, it is just a car, but whoever said that Citroens were logical didn't know what they were talking about!).

Re the postage, I would contact the seller about it. If no joy, then the feedback can mention this.

[DHallworth]

How much engine oil did you have to put in (I'm guessing you changed the oil anyway)...

Still haven't changed the oil on the C5, Ben, I did however change the oil and filter on the XM today. I read on the 406 Coupe site that the ES9J4 takes 4.75 litres of oil so I bought 5 litres of 0w40 Mobil1 Fully Synthetic. Put the whole 5l in and it was short so I decided to check the XM handbook. It says that it needs 5.25l so I went to Halfords and bought another 1l top up bottle.

I've put 400ml of that in and it's showing half full on the dipstick. I need to go out now so have left it to check when we get home this evening so I can add more as required.

Looking at where mine is on the dipstick now, I'd bet it'll take 6l of oil!

The new oil I've put in mine looks dirty on the dipstick already so I reckon after I get back from Wetherby I might do another oil change on it.

David.

[Ben82]

Thanks David, thought the book was correct, rather surprising that Citroen authorised dealers are quoting for the wrong amount. Might have to go back to a couple and ask for "clarification"

[DHallworth]

I set off a 7.30am this morning headed for Wetherby in the XM. In 2012 the XM only did 44 miles so this was going to be a shock to the system... I'm pleased to report that she dealt with it in her stride.

I decided to treat her to a tank of that new V-Power Nitro Unleaded this morning. After a £121 fill up which was 86.7 litres we were on the M8 headed south and everything was running amazingly.

We had a great run down with the cruise control set at a steady 70 all the way. Upon arriving at Wetherby I was amazed to note that the petrol pin was only on the mark under full which was quite surprising.

I went out in it twice at Wetherby on the lanes round there which won't have made much difference to the economy but after coming home today I'm really impressed with the figures.

Distance covered today: 460 miles exactly
Range left in tank: 247 miles
Average Economy: 30.7mpg
Average Speed: 59mph

After arriving home there's still 1/3 a tank left in the car

Picture below to prove:



My XM also reached a milestone on the way home today too



With economy like that who needs a Diesel! **runs and hides**

Had a really enjoyable day and even got a drive in a non Citroen C5 thanks to Chris!

David.

[Citroenmad]

That is a very special XM David, thanks again for the drive in it It's done nothing to tempt me away from XMs

[Mandrake]

Sounds like an enjoyable trip, sad I couldn't make it. Flat out packing, cleaning, taking stuff to the dump and temporary accommodation today, and still plenty more to do!

I'm sure the ES9J4 likes Shell V-Power Nitro David, I'm on to my 2nd full tank of it now, the first gave me 22.9MPG under mixed (mostly around town) lead footed driving, my previous highest in the same conditions was 19.8 and was often as low as 18...quite a difference, the improvement in MPG is nearly double the difference in price from 95 unleaded, so it pays for itself! (and the engine runs better)

On the 2nd tank I've done almost entirely short trips and urban driving, I've done 180 miles so far and yet its still half full, its never managed that before with urban driving. I was getting as low as 250 miles from a tank (55 litres, when the warning light comes on with 10 litres to spare) so I'm intrigued as to what I'll get when it runs out this time given that I've been driving back and forth between two houses and the rubbish dump dozens of times this week.

With a 10.5/1 compression ratio the amount of knock sensor controlled timing retard required to run on 95 octane really seems to kill the fuel efficiency making use of cheaper low octane fuel false economy...

[Citroenmad]

I was getting as low as 250 miles from a tank

I've just suddenly remembered why I drive a HDi. My last week would have required five fill-ups in a V6/Activa, against my two