Berlingo air pushing back through Intake

[Pricklybuzzz]

Hello,

I am very new to the French cars and have never had a diesel.
I have got myself a 2004 1.9 Dw8 Berlingo. I love how basic the van is!
Question I have is that when I first start the van I get a strange noise like air suddenly venting out somewhere.
When I was investigating I found that air was pushing out of the intake rather than is sucking! It seems to push less when I rev the engine up.
Just wonder if this is normal or if I have something to worry about.

Thanks in advance,

[CitroJim]

Welcome to the forum This sounds like you may have an inlet valve sticking very slightly open when the engine is cold. This happens at high mileages due to the valves hammering on their seats.

Check your valve clearances; I'll almost wager you will find a tight inlet or two.

A quirk of the engine is that the valve clearances are tightest when the engine is stone-cold. As it warms and 'grows' the clearances open up - which is why it only happens with a cold engine.

You may also see white smoke too.

Best to sort it as it can cause hard starting and the valve and/or seat may end up damaged if allowed to continue over an extended period.

[wheeler]

Are you sure its not just the EGR operating? This will push exhaust gas into the intake at idle.
Does it kind of pulse like this every few seconds at idle?
With tight valve clearances you would normally get difficulty starting when the engine is warm.

[CitroJim]

Surely you should not be able to feel that much back-draft from an EGR valve - unless really stuck wide open maybe?

Knowing how much 'suck' these engines have I'd have thought they could easily swallow all an EGR could offer!

[PaulC5]

Have a look at the engine side of the air filter, if the egr was blowing back it might be covered in soot to give you an idea of what is happening. If an inlet valve then maybe diesel ?