C5 fantastic car but I need help!

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alanf
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C5 fantastic car but I need help!

Post by alanf »

I have owned a 2001 y C5 2.2HDI for nearly 3 years now. Its a fantastic car, we have been to Germany this year and it didn't miss a beat. Its only done 77k and I have the following that needs sorting.

Message on display 'unblock diesel filter'

There's nothing in the handbook about this and the diesel filter was replaced early this year, would this message relate to the particular filter instead?? if so I have read some stories about cleaning it?? My local cit specialist says its a 300 pound job to replace and he can't guarante the message will go away! Also the car can chuck out a large amount of grey smoke when floored.

The other message ' fill diesel additive' has been on for a while, the same garage cannot get the message off the display permanatly dispite fillng the tank and clearing the code. they say an autoelectrician would be needed costing around 100 pounds! is this true??

I'm desperate to get the car sorted as we love it, I just don't want to spend loadsa cash as its not worth a great deal now.

I would be greatful for some help.
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Post by mooseshaver »

Hello, what miles did you have on it when you bought it? The particulate filter needs to be replaced/cleaned every 50,000 miles on the original 2.2.
If you don't get it done at 50,000 it will just warn you when it gets full.

The diesel additive message should go away if reset with a Lexia. Is that what they are using?
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Post by DickieG »

I've had a "dabble" with a C5 2.2 fitted with a particulate filter using my Lexia and trying to reset the ECU but as far as I could see it can't be done as there was no facility to do so. Having also had a lengthy conversation with someone who know C5's very well he stated that the only way to "reset" the ECU's on them is to fit a new one.

The alternative is to simply remove the particulate filter then change the settings on the BSI to say that no particulate filter is fitted which surely must be the best option.

I don't pretend to be an expert on C5's and hope to be proved wrong but from what I've discovered the above appears to be the case.
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alanf
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Post by alanf »

mooseshaver wrote:Hello, what miles did you have on it when you bought it? The particulate filter needs to be replaced/cleaned every 50,000 miles on the original 2.2.
If you don't get it done at 50,000 it will just warn you when it gets full.

The diesel additive message should go away if reset with a Lexia. Is that what they are using?
Hi.

I bought the car with 47000miles about 3 years ago so I guess it has never been done. I read on this forum that it can be removed and jetwashed? But I really need a step by step guide before I start taking the car to pieces. I have access to a ramp so I shouldnt be too much trouble. Is the filter in the exhaust?

I'm not sure what they were using but being a Citroen Specialist I would hope they have the correct kit. They have done a good job on servicing the car, cambelt, and other stuff I have had done but I dont have the confidence in them regarding these issues.

Anyone with a Lexia setup in Lancashire??

Any further information or would be appreciated.
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Post by quintet »

The particulate filter is indeed part of the exhaust & the section that needs replacing is the larger rear section (it come's in 2 pieces). You'll need to remove the pipes going into it (19mm i think) & the sensor/wire (smaller but i cant recall the size). The filter is held in place by x4 13mm nuts of which can be rather tight/awkward, particularly the top ones. We used to replace them but a mate of mine cleaned his out using 'brick acid' (real nasty stuff!!) on his peugeot & it seems to have worked. You will also need to re-fill the Eolys fluid/tank which in itself is a little awkward & you'll need to get this fluid from a main agent (i wouldn't try non genuine stuff) & there's 2 different types (DPX 42 & 175 I THINK, [not sure the actual numbers but you will need your car's RP number to determine which type you require] BUT it is not cheap!). After having done this the cars BSI must be re-programmed & basically told that new fluid has been added to the FAP/depollution system, after this has been done the car needs £20.00 worth of fuel adding (leave the fuel cap off [sensor in tank filler neck] for approx 20-30 seconds [go pay for fuel then re-fit]) & then give the car a good road test, pref on motorway.

Doing this job isn't one i looked forward too! & there are other things to consider too such as carrying out a 'regeneration' of the particulate filter, this should really be done using a 'Lexia' although some say a good hard blast up the motorway does the same job but I'm not convinced. also if you run a car with this system for too long with low fluid it basically confuses the ECU that controls it (it doesn't understand why your allowing the car to run low on fluid) and it will eventually put the car into 'limp' mode & drastically limit/reduce the cars performance, this also tends to wreck the ECU & this too will need replacing!. There are probably a few other things to consider but it's been at least a year since i last did this job & the ole grey matter isn't what it used to be!.

I don't wish to be the bearer of bad news & hopefully someone with more accurate knowledge on here can give you a better idea of how to rectify this fault but if it needs all the work doing then I'd be taking it to a main dealer, it'll be expensive but at least you'll have some come back if things go wrong :?
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Post by alanf »

quintet wrote:The particulate filter is indeed part of the exhaust & the section that needs replacing is the larger rear section (it come's in 2 pieces). You'll need to remove the pipes going into it (19mm i think) & the sensor/wire (smaller but i cant recall the size). The filter is held in place by x4 13mm nuts of which can be rather tight/awkward, particularly the top ones. We used to replace them but a mate of mine cleaned his out using 'brick acid' (real nasty stuff!!) on his peugeot & it seems to have worked. You will also need to re-fill the Eolys fluid/tank which in itself is a little awkward & you'll need to get this fluid from a main agent (i wouldn't try non genuine stuff) & there's 2 different types (DPX 42 & 175 I THINK, [not sure the actual numbers but you will need your car's RP number to determine which type you require] BUT it is not cheap!). After having done this the cars BSI must be re-programmed & basically told that new fluid has been added to the FAP/depollution system, after this has been done the car needs £20.00 worth of fuel adding (leave the fuel cap off [sensor in tank filler neck] for approx 20-30 seconds [go pay for fuel then re-fit]) & then give the car a good road test, pref on motorway.

Doing this job isn't one i looked forward too! & there are other things to consider too such as carrying out a 'regeneration' of the particulate filter, this should really be done using a 'Lexia' although some say a good hard blast up the motorway does the same job but I'm not convinced. also if you run a car with this system for too long with low fluid it basically confuses the ECU that controls it (it doesn't understand why your allowing the car to run low on fluid) and it will eventually put the car into 'limp' mode & drastically limit/reduce the cars performance, this also tends to wreck the ECU & this too will need replacing!. There are probably a few other things to consider but it's been at least a year since i last did this job & the ole grey matter isn't what it used to be!.

I don't wish to be the bearer of bad news & hopefully someone with more accurate knowledge on here can give you a better idea of how to rectify this fault but if it needs all the work doing then I'd be taking it to a main dealer, it'll be expensive but at least you'll have some come back if things go wrong :?
Hi. Thanks for the info, its just what I need.

The Eolys fluid was topped up only 6 months ago so thats fine. I'm hopefully getting hold of another car this week so I can stick the C5 on a ramp and start having a good look at what needs doing. It has already been in limp mode twice.

I really want to save the car from these electrical cock ups as its been a real good car, even the missis loves driving it :shock: If I spend £300-£400 this year its not guarranteed to clear the fault and maybe next year it will probably need a clutch which will be another £400 or so, its just not worth spending the money on, I hate to say!

When I get to remove this filter I will still need a Lexia user in Lancs, anyone???
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Post by myglaren »

Try contacting those near you on this map to arrange a diagnostic session.
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Post by alanf »

myglaren wrote:Try contacting those near you on this map to arrange a diagnostic session.
Excellent thanks.

I'm getting there by the looks of things, hopefully I will have a fully functioning 2.2HDI again!
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Post by Citroenmad »

Well, there seems to be an awful lot of rumour about these particulate filters!

Ive heard all sorts of things, such as the regeneration process using a Lexia was stopped by dealers as the heat was scorching the floors!

Ive also heard that the eoyls fluid is injected into the fuel tank every time the fuel door is shut. So if you put in £10 a time you will go through more. Ive also heard that the ECU works out how much fuel has been put into the tank and it then works out how much fluid is needed. Which seems more sensible.

The car will regenerate the filter itself, that is the idea! If you had to take it to a Lexia every time it wouldn't exactly be convenient.

If anyone has any real and exact information on the FAP system it would be appreciated.

However, supposedly the car regenerates the FAP system when traveling at high speed for a period of time. Around 3000rpm on a motorway should have it regenerating. Which is why these should not be confined to the town and short trips alone, that is when problems start.

A of this uncertainty about FAP systems, the inconvenience of them and the costs put me off the 2.2s, its why i choose the 2.0HDi 8vs.

Though no doubt our 2.0HDi 16v will need something doing with its FAP at some point.
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