Engine cut out -' Anti-pollution system fault'

[MMB]

Hello! I recently bought my first car (Citroen Picasso C3 DIESEL) and have just started driving it, principally for trips around town as I gain confidence. The other evening, the engine cut out on me, suddenly. I just had the time to more or less pull over. Just at that moment, the notice 'Anti-pollution system faulty' came up. The car did actually start up for the car mechanic to load it on his truck and is currently being checked over my the second-hand car dealer. It is still under guarantee. Looking on internet, I was not at all reassured to see this problem appears to be frequent with Citroen cars, and French cars in general. Solutions offered include changing the particle filters, the BSM, the EGR valves... the list goes on. The problem being that the situation appears to repeat itself - with the engine cutting on motorways etc. Even with an appropriate computer analysis of these cars (based on other people's testimonials), the cause is not necessarily detected and therefore cannot be put right. This leaves the driver out of pocket at best, at worst in a potentially dangerous situation whilst driving. Could someone please give me some advice ASAP? I have to return to the garage tonight and am tempted to resell them the car in order to take another car (not DIESEL, which appear to dislike town driving as it builds up 'gunk' - possibly part of the initial problem in my case?).
Thanking you in advance!

[EDC5]

Hello there

Do you have the option to return the car for a full refund? If this is an option, I would take it immediately.

You might be better off with a petrol car if you are unlikely to do the sort of driving that is compatible with a healthy particulate filter (dpf)

[GiveMeABreak]

A clogged DPF won't cause the engine to stop, but if the anti pollution warnings have been consistently ignored then it will ultimately go into a reduced performance limp home mode until it is rectified. If the engine cuts out then it is likely to be more of an electrical fault / fuelling fault.

This is not limited to French cars, all modern cars use very similar computer systems to manage the car's operations. The important thing is to go to a reputable dealer, make sure you have a good service history.

[MikeT]

If you driving only involves short journeys, I would also advise you try and get it swapped for a petrol car as EDC5 states. A diesel with DPF really isn't suited to your needs as you're experiencing.

[MMB]

Thank you everyone for your replies and advice!
Not sure yet what options the dealer will offer.... I didn't go there today as I had planned, since I was trying to think it all over. Diesel probably wasn't the best choice for limited urban driving and from an ecological point of view, it wasn't good either. I am hoping that they won't dock too much off my initial sum paid (5000euros) if I ask for a refund - only had it for two months and have only done very short rides in it.
I have been looking at Toyotas - one that has relatively few kilometres and would be guaranteed for two years, which would cost much more, but offers greater peace of mind. No way could I drive my children in the Picasso, fearing it might just conk out on me at any given moment.
I'll let you know what the dealer said about the engine problem, and what my final decision will be!

[Eddie Nuff]

. . . and from an ecological point of view, it wasn't good either.

Another one who believes everything he reads in the MSM and taking that on board the best option for you is to fall in line with the rest of the muppets and get a new car on PCP/lease. That way you'll have no problems bar the £250mth payment.

[white exec]

Eddie raises an interesting point about car ownership.

Huge increase in folk choosing to lease/PCP in the last few years, and perhaps no wonder. Once upon a time televisions were both expensive and unreliable, and in jumped Radio Rentals (and others) to take the risks and guesswork out of the costs of having one.

An interesting parallel with modern cars, then, where owner-maintenance is not an option for most folk, independent repairers often don't have the necessary diagnostic tools to tackle them, components and main-dealer prices are seriously expensive, and the increased electronic complexity makes some kind of malfunction virtually guaranteed.

So, where it has become the sensible choice to own a television, the motor industry has - with a firm eye on profits - moved decisively in the opposite direction.

[MMB]

Hello Eddie Nuff,
Yes, I may well be a muppet from every point of view when it comes to cars! It's true; that's why I asked for advice. However, I don't actually see a logical, helpful link between anything that I initially said and your comments, but am surely missing something!
Funnily enough, someone did mention leasing to me earlier on today, and for some people (ie yours truly), yes, it probably is an attractive option, especially since car mechanics involves increasing levels of computer-based electronics, from what I've been told.
Chacun(e) son métier!

MMB - A miffed FEMALE muppet!!!!

[Paul-R]

That's not being very friendly Eddie.

[xantia_v6]

I have deleted an objectionable post from Eddie, who has now been warned and subsequently banned for his behaviour.

[wurlycorner]

Hi MMB, sorry to hear it hasn't worked out too well for you so far and we'll done for joining up to ask for advice.
As others have said, it's not a French car problem, its a modern car problem tbh (VW Audi diesels are notorious for 'check engine' faults in their modern diesels too).
Cutting out is unusual though. Was it bought from a Citroen dealer, or an independent after market place?
Since it did log a fault, it should be possible to track down the cause correctly, but an independent dealer is unlikely to have access to the correct diagnostic software.
As others have said, for short journeys around town, a petrol might be better suited, although obviously it won't be as good on fuel economy.
Please let us know how things go!

[MMB]

Hello folks and even muppet-hater Eddie!
Again, thank you for all your comments. Well, after much thought, I decided it was maybe better to leave my Picasso C3 with the second-hand dealer that I bought it from. They did carry out tests (not sure how complete, as they aren't Citroen specialists) but found nothing. This did not really reassure me as it reminded me too much of what other people had mentioned on the numerous posts I'd seen before finding this site.
I was very sad to say goodbye to my car as I found it great on every level, except the scary engine phenomenon (and to say adieu to a cut on my original purchase price!). So, it'll now go to someone more adapted to its use, and I've just bought a second-hand (petrol) Toyota with a healthy guarantee. All of this was probably the coward's option, but in view of my total, all-round inexperience and lack of back-up, it makes more sense.
My Picasso felt like a lovely rescue dog that suddenly bites someone for no apparent reason - I would never know if the problem was a one-off or the start of something nasty and either way, I wouldn't ever feel at ease with that around my children, no matter how cute it seemed. Still, I know I'll feel a pang every time I see a C3 going past!

Enjoy your Citroens!
MMB

[wurlycorner]

Thank you for updating. Sorry you've parted from Citroen ownership but completely understand your choice in the circumstances.

All the best!

[Enginecutof]

[SOLVED]

Hi, just to share a long story short, my citroen C3 was cutting of out of factory, after 10 years a local mechanics fixed the problem it was the BSM, what needs to be noted is that the BSM was not faulty in that sense but was from diferent manufacturer as the rest of the electronics and there fore not suitable with the rest of the electronics. The mechanics found the right brand of the BSM on a scrap yard, installed it and problem was solved once for all...

[GiveMeABreak]

That’s common sense! Of course you have to have the correct replacement BSM and cannot just put any replacement in. Although they look similar, you have to have the correct version for the vehicle electronic architecture.