18th Sep 2009, 11:33

Two frequently occurring problems on C5 2.2 HDI.

1. "Unblock diesel filter" message displayed - filter has been replaced and still get message - Any ideas which sensor detects this and causes this message to be displayed, and where is this sensor located? Can it be bypassed?

2. "Anti-Pollution fault" - happens under load, typically on hills when engine under load and full throttle needed, or sometimes after parking up at motorway services, then accelerating up a slip road. Which sensor is likely to be detecting this? Where is it located? Can it be bypassed?

It seems these are common problems, which cannot be fixed even by main dealers, who seem to adopt a trial and error approach. My dealer was recommending a new turbo at £1500 on the basis that oil could be blowing past the turbo oil seals under load.

My preference would be to simply bypass the sensors if feasible.

11th Oct 2009, 03:46

I have had a Citroen C5 HPi Exclusive 2.L petrol 5 door hatch for about 18 months. The anti-pollution fault has been on and off since day 1, and this car has now been back to the dealer about 6 times - always with the same fuel related faults. The engine will just tick over, but no power, or completely die, as if out of fuel. I have had about 8 sensors changed, a new fuel solenoid valve, new fuel tank pump and valve and this time (fault number 7) they say it was none of the above issues, but it looks likely to be the main engine fuel pump (high pressure pump? mounted on right hand side of engine). This looks like it will cost about £525 plus VAT (15% tax) plus labour charges - on top of the £300 labour they want to charge to get this far! - And this is still no guarantee that this will solve the issue.

This is a great car to drive, comfortable and smooth, but if it costs more than its ticket value each each year just to keep it on the road then I recommend against anyone choosing this car! - Even the dealer has told me they dislike this model because of the engine/fuel issues!

12th Oct 2009, 02:47

One more disappointed driver/pedestrian... Bought a diesel-engined C5, 2001 2.2, same old thing as everyone else, and boy do I wish I'd seen this forum first.

Engine immobilizer has cut out twice, main dealer fixed it for £70, saying it was "fuses", I suspect they do know more, but are happy to accept the money, because I certainly will never buy another one.

It's not just the repair/towing costs, it's breaking down on the way to work, and losing a day's pay

Walking shoes should be supplied as standard with these cars.

Have also had intermittent window openings, and failure to shut...

It's perhaps a lexical thing, drop the "e" from Citron, and there you are a lemon... a total annoyance, it's a comfortable car, but expensive to repair, and not reliable in the slightest.

7th Nov 2009, 08:52

I am a car enthusiast, have owned and maintained hundreds, built my own etc etc, never ever put any car into a garage or certainly not a rip off main dealership.

Without being libelous, I would urge anyone considering buying one of these cars to seriously examine their bank accounts, because if you can't afford to fix them yourself, it will break you, and you can't fix them yourself, because they are made that way, and further more the main dealers can't fix them either, although they don't mind charging you for the privilege of trying.

All in all, these cars are the worst in terms of ease of maintenance and reliability, and cost to run. Knowledgable engineers hate them, they lose more money from new than ANY other make, trade in is a laugh, try it, nobody wants them except for pea nuts.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate it minus 2, a to technical pile of junk. Take the computer out of it and it might be a half decent car like the old XM 2.2 diesel, don't know what the new ones are like, but it better be better than this or Citroen are in big trouble,

1st May 2010, 06:06

I have a C5 2005 2.0 HDI, and as I read all the earlier comments, I am alarmed at the fact that a manufacturer does nothing it seems about these issues.

Mine is even more peculiar. I live in Barbados, I have the only C5 on the island, perhaps the only running Citroen after the vehicle failed here, but I love them for some odd reason.

A few months ago I noticed that I would start the vehicle and the steering would be rock hard. I would have to sit and wait for a few moments and then try again. It would be perfect. This was not regular, but often enough to be annoying.

Then the big one happened. Driving home one night the machine without warning just shut down. Unlike all the other comments I have read, I had no immobilizer warning, no pollutant, or anything; it just shut down. I sat on the side of the road for about 5 minutes, then it restarted allowed me to travel about 30 metres and shutdown again. This happened constantly until I reached home. Next morning the car was fine. Did not stop for another few weeks. Then this became the pattern. It would shut down on the road, you would wait, restart, and in the subsequent occasions it would not stop again that day or any other day for about 4-6 weeks, then you would be driving, you would feel a misfire, and you knew it was about to happen.

I tried tricking the car by stopping and shutting down the engine when I felt a misfire, and leaving it for a few moments, hoping that whatever went wrong would reset itself, but no, this machine has to shutdown itself. More often than not I felt the machine not giving the power I needed and was accustomed to getting. Then all of a sudden it would fly. Without any warning indicators I am flying in the dark.

Have there been any developments in the solution to these problems? I parked it yesterday and I will not touch it until I get some solution. Hearing that I might have to change the fuel pump, but also that I might need to use biodiesel? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.