C4 Grand Picasso 1.6 Injector Problem

[grand_picasso_dub]

I'm reaching out to seek some advice regarding a concerning issue with my 2014 Citroen C4 Grand Picasso Diesel.

VIN - VFV7******EJ**1911 (attempted to Obfuscate)


About two years ago, we replaced all four injector valves, we had the ESR failure limp home mode on the motorway one our way to vacation, so that did not go down well with the family, at the time it was a P0262 (injector 1 failure), when I brought it in the resistance on all injectors was shown as bad and so I was advised to replace all 4 injectors, that as at approximately 126,000 KM, so low mileage for a 10 year old car.

Unfortunately, just recently, and after driving less than 15,000 km, we encountered the same problem again, as indicated by the P0265 error code (injector 2 this time). The warranty was only 1 year so no luck there!

This issue caused the car to abruptly go into limp mode on the motorway, reducing speed from 120 km/h to 30 km/h, which was quite dangerous.

The car has a relatively low total mileage of 144,000 km, and we primarily use it for long trips during vacations, relying on our Nissan Leaf electric car for day-to-day errands.

I'm trying to understand if this recurring problem is simply due to a faulty injector, or if it points to a more systemic issue with the injector system. Notably, we also replaced the fuel filter along with the injectors two years ago.

My main concern is whether spending another 1,000 euros to replace all four injectors will resolve the issue, or if there's a risk of it happening again.

What was odd is that there is no check engine light first it just fails and big time!!!
Is there any way to get a prewarning of a failure? The ECU or engine management system didn't provide any advance warning, and we were left stranded without any prior indication.

This is the second time we've experienced this problem, and our confidence in the car and diesel engines, in general, has been shaken.

I'm looking for any thoughts on potential causes and whether replacing one injector or all four would be a viable solution for the next 12 to 18 months, as we plan to eventually replace the car after completing some home renovations.

Also is there anyway to check the injectors in advance without getting stranded on the motorway again, seems like a huge safety flaw!

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

[myglaren]

There seems to be a problem with your VIN. It should be automatically obfuscated but hasn't been.
I've put it in a spoiler for now.

[grand_picasso_dub]

Thanks i thought the admins would remove that, i will edit the original post

[RichardW]

Unfortunately injector failure on this version of the DV6 is common, and generally no warning, injector goes on the frits, ECU drops it out, and you get limp mode. Did you fit re-man or no brand injectors? You should be OK to fit just the failed injector (note that PSA number from the flywheel not the cambelt, so No 2 is second from the flywheel) - use a decent one. The others may or may not keep going, I'd be tempted to do just the one for now, then if another failure occurs in the near future, replace the remaining 3.

[grand_picasso_dub]

thanks Richard, it is concerning that it just fails and usually under load which means on the motorway. the original ones were in for 100K KM + and 9 years so i thought i would get a bit more out of them.

They were brand new Genuine parts i believe, i didn't fit them and got an injector specialist to do it, was not sure about teh Torque and re-coding etc..
I actually have the box still and i asked for the 2 better ones as soares so i have 2 both reading 197K Ohm which i may switch in and see if it fixes the problem, not sure i can really rely on it though, really strange there is no nely failing state just all or nothing

[shtu]

I'll take a guess that these are Siemens injectors? Not very reliable.

I would suggest replacing only the faulty one, I've done this (with used ones) and it's been fine.

As you've got the two old ones there's little to lose by trying, just bear in mind you do have to code the injector into the ecu. If you look at some of my posts about injectors you should find torque settings (if yours is the single-bolt clamp setup).

[grand_picasso_dub]

Apologies for the delay and thanks for the responses, the injectors are branded continental, but the conti injector line has being taken over by siemens apparently so not sure if they are more reliable than a branded Siemens injector.

When I got the original ones replaced I asked to keep the 2 "best" ones so i actually put that in and all errors dgone, car was running a bit rough though from 1500 - 2000 Rpm fine at higher revs and no warnings in the ECU, i suspected the ECU needs to be coded with the new injector to run smoothly.

I went back to the injector shop and they checked all injectors the 3 remaining that were replaced 2 years ago were all low resistance on their high voltage tester showing under 20K ohms, the original that I put back in was 35K Ohms so better but still not good (should be close 20 200K Ohms) warranty is only 3 months so no luck with getting a repair, they did re-code the injector and it is running a bit better but still some vibration at 1750 Rpm, not sure it has trained long enough.

Talking to a few other garages they think it is just unlucky or maybe an ECU issue, now the 12v battery does need to be replaced and they said that can mess up the electrics so maybe some spikes may have caused degradation. Also i did have to jump start another car (Phev so not much load) so not sure if that could have caused some spikes to the injectors frying them???

[grand_picasso_dub]

So, a bit of an update, still have issues.
All 4 injectors replaced, they did a deal on price as they failed so quickly, all new continental ones and car is running relatively smooth, no injector errors

There were issues re-coding the new injectors and the ECU Software had to be updated by a Citroen main dealer.

Now however I am getting a MAF fault P0100!

This is not permanent fault and is gone once you stop the car.
I can reproduce it easily, as long as you keep the revs below 2000 its fine, once you get towards 3000 RPM you hear a slight hissing through the vents and the error happens.

What odd is the car runs better once the error is there!

So, I am thinking with all the work around the MAF sensor it maybe got damaged.

I did get electrical connector cleaner and spray it and let t dry and no improvement, is it work through in a new sensor, or could it be a vacuum leak?

Any thoughts?

[RichardW]

I can reproduce it easily, as long as you keep the revs below 2000 its fine, once you get towards 3000 RPM you hear a slight hissing through the vents and the error happens.

Sounds like a boost leak to me - check all the air pipes after the turbo are properly connected.

[grand_picasso_dub]

ok will take a look, i guess the best way to check is look at the engine under load, which means it maybe better off with the garage as i wouldnt trust my jack stands and standing in front of the car!

I was going to check the voltages to the MAF sensor as well.

This seems to be a good video to show where to look at least around the turbo