Errors P20F6/ P16EA - Urea injector blocked (open) - Help request for disassembly

[Alicia_C]

Good morning,

I've been having problems with the car's exhaust system for a few weeks now (110,000 km / 8 years / all servicing at an official dealer). What started as a problem with the particulate filter (first overload warning that was solved by taking the car out on the highway), has continued with a visit to the workshop to plug the machine. There I got a lot of errors (P246C, P24A4, P2A00,) which were cleaned and have not come up again (although I have them on file as a warning for the FAP/catalytic converter to clean at some point). However, the two I wrote in the subject line (P20F6/P16EA) are still there.

From what I have been able to investigate, the urea injector blockage is not uncommon in the long run and the cleaning operation seems not too complicated (urea crystals are soluble in warm water). However, the other day I went to look for the injector in my car and from what I could see (I got underneath, removing the plastic protector) that unlike other citröen models, it is not so easy to access to remove it (it is a flange and that's it) as I can't reach it directly with my hand.

Anyway, I'm sorry for the long rambling, but I was wondering if someone could provide me with the workshop instructions so that I can go straight to the repair shop without having to take too many things apart. I asked for a quote and it seemed like a robbery (more than 600 euros, when I have seen that in the case of having to put a new one, the prices range between 80 and 150 euros!)

Best regards.

A.

[GiveMeABreak]

I don't have the specific info for this vehicle as it will be one of the last production models that was fitted with this system, but unlike later vehicles where the injector is easy to get to from the top of the engine, this design requires access from underneath near the catalyst. I don't know what you think you can achieve by trying to dismantle anything before taking it to the garage as you really need it on a hoist to start with and you can't really dismantle anything and then drive it to the garage.....

The Heated Urea Pipe has to be unclipped at 'a'
The power connector in green to be removed
Then it needs to be unbolted at (2)

But it's not practical or advisable to leave all this hanging about then driving.....

I suggest if you are just having the urea injector replaced that you get another quote from another garage as that seems excessive for a simple injector replacement. Can't be more than a 10 minute job once on a hoist to swap them out.

An original from the dealer will cost you about £200 inc 20% UK VAT, but they can be bought original for about £80:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304865071921 ... d_source=1

So not sure where the 600 Euros is coming from.....

[Alicia_C]

Hi again,

thanks GiveMeABreak for the quick and detailed answer!. You are right: luckily here in Germany (not sure if that is that easy anywhere else) there is a few "open" workshops where one can rent the time for hours (around 10 Euros/hr.) and have access to a car lift and even to specialized tools. Looking to the picture it seems that once that the clamp (2) is removed, it should not very complicated to reach the power connector and the hose clip once the injector is partially "hanging", or?.

Regarding the quotation, I would have to translate the following items:

230 Eur. for the injector
10 Eur for the collar clamp
100 For a general test and error diagnostics.
80 Eur for replacement works
33 Eur for depressurization of urea supply system
165 Eur for "forced" regeneration of FAP system.

Total: 618 Eur.

Perhaps I had back luck, but in this particular official dealer workshop is what I got. In fact, I recently moved and I gave a try to this one as it had good reviews (more than 30 years business, formerly a "real Citröen" retailer, etc...). However, everything smelled fishy on that very day when I visited them: despite having signed a commitment of aprox. 55 Eur. just to connect the diagnostics machine, after I rejected to leave the car right away, they came with a final bill of 110 Eur. When I asked, they said that they had to really "spend" time to find out the reasons for the issue that is lighting up my engine check light (it took them around 15 minutes since I handed over the car keys).

I don´t know, and I don´t want to think in different reasons for this...

Anyway, thanks again.

I will probably give a try next weekend.

[GiveMeABreak]

A lot of that is totally unnecessary!

If it's just the injector - just replace it - there's no programming needed! It's not as if you are replacing the NOx sensor that needs to be initialised. Why do you need more diagnostics if you already know the problem is the injector?

165 Euros for a forced regeneration? Why do you need that doing - it's only needed if you have specific DPF clogging that you cannot clear by going for a long run on the Autobahn.

I would suggest you replace the injector first and see how it goes.