Anti-Pollution FaultCitroën C5, 2.0Hdi
The vehicle in the following text is a Citroën C5 2.0Hdi, but even though indications on the instrument panel and/or display might differ the fault and reasons for it is often the same. On and diesel with fault indications to the Anti Pollution system, a simple "blow-out" is worth trying. Of course, you can take the vehicle to a workshop and they will do the same for you - but will also charge you for it...
- Antipollution Fault indicated on center display.
- Check Engine Light and the text Service is illuminated.
- Audible warning sound.
- The engine lacks power and restricts rpm to max 2700.
- After revving the engine there is a noticeable delay before the engine RPM falls back to idle.
- This fault indication might also occur in combination with, or as fault pointing to the Particulate Filter.
Out of all fault codes, on at least the Citroen C5 Hdi model, the Antipollution Fault is the one that creates most confusion.
It is also the one that makes the owners go mental...
Yes, the fault code is generated from the ECU as a result of a fault detected in a very complicated emission control system. A system with mostly very expensive parts as the Catalytic Converter(s), the Particulate Filter, the Pressure Differential Sensor, the Air Flow Meter, the EoLys adding system and a pile of sensors...
Each attached with a price-tag that makes a grown man cry.. inconsolably..
So NOW is the time to panic..?
No, Calm Down...
First of all..
Remember that the indication is a Yellow/Orange light and don't require you to panic straight away..
Without giving you too much hope, it has to be stated that these indications may occur intermittent and can after a while disappear without any special actions taken.
This fault indication may be a result of insufficient Particulate Filter function/cleaning, due to driving long periods in urban areas on low rpm.
Now.. before you run out revving your engine.. please read further.
Secondly..
Without going into how the system actually works there are a few things you should check ,and some things you can do..
Then.. if all fails.. you should start panicking..
The Fuel Filler Cap
If it's a vehicle equipped with a Particulate Filter ( e.g. 2.0 Hdi 2001 ), check that the fuel filler cap is in place and has NOT been changed to anything BUT the original or OEM type.
Yes.. You did read right.. the Fuel Filler Cap..
The reason it has to be in place AND be the right type of cap, is that it consists a permanent magnet that is a part of the EoLys additive system.
The ECU registers the removal of the cap and uses that info for the EoLys additive system.
Engine restriction
Now.. the restriction of the engine to max 2700 rpm.
- Turn off the engine.
- Open and then close the driver side door.
- Start the engine and the restriction should be gone, even if the fault is still indicated.
The system makes a partial reset when the door is opened and that removes the restriction.
Its not a fix, but it makes it possible to use the vehicle as normal.
If you left your car in the drive-yard, and you are reading this in the house.. you will have reset the system when you left the car.. and the restriction will be gone..
If the restriction returns during the next step: Turn off the engine and open/close the driver side door to execute the partial reset.
Citroen owners might have noticed that the hydraulic system makes the suspension rise or fall when the car is unlocked with the remote, or the door is opened. This is a result of the partial reset.
This is good to keep in mind when working on parts related to the suspension. If the door or locks are activated, the hydraulic system will come alive and start to level the vehicle.
Burning soot
After the restriction has been removed, the engine can be driven as usual. Drive the vehicle and give it a bit more rev's than usual by using manual shifting or shifting later than usual. Don't blow your engine by revving it to bits and pieces, only drive with normally higher rev's. Also give the engine some proper rev up's when you stop at intersections or traffic lights. If possible take the car for a good trip on the highway/motorway and let it rev on second highest gear for a while.
Notice that since some functions of the emission control system only are active when the engine is warming up from cold and/or at starting, the fault indication might not disappear while driving
Continue driving this way for a couple of days, and in several cases the fault indication have eventually disappeared.
When or If, the indication disappears..
Please see Notes and MOT section below, before you carry out the following steps.
Now is the time to give the engine some good distinct revving.
At standstill give the engine some proper revving, holding it at high revs for a few seconds before you return to idle.
Kick down the throttle pedal to the bottom and release as the engine reaches about 4k rpm.
Repeat and let the engine run at 2.5 - 3k rpm a few seconds before you release.
Repeat the procedure a few times.
If the ground behind the vehicle looks like someone just dropped a Molotov Cocktail,
there is a good chance that excessive soot caused the indication.
The next few days you should continue giving the engine some higher revs while driving, to really burn out all the excessive soot.
The soot gathers up in the system especially if you drive mostly in urban areas on low revs. Giving the engine some higher revving and a good old kick-down now and then keeps the soot from building up...
What if...
If the fault indication doesn't disappear after doing as mentioned above for a few days..?
Well.. i will be back to that, as soon as i get my hands on one that doesn't give up the fault indicating after a few days of high rev exercise..
And yes...
I know ill have the fanatic Diesel-Ban community going for my throat..
But, as long as their movement does more harm for people of the working class - than good for the environment.. i will continue to try keeping the Diesel's on the roads..
My reasons and my defense can ( soon ) be read on a separate page on this blog.. ( if interested ).
Notes and MOT
On engines with a timing BELT, it is VITAL that the belt is in good condition before the engine is accelerated to maximum RPM.
At the MOT stations the Diesel engines are tested for exhaust smoke density, using a smoke meter. The test involves accelerating the engine at least 3 times to its maximum unloaded speed. With the engine properly warmed up, it is first purged by running at around 2500 rpm for 20 seconds. A governor check is carried out , by slowly accelerating the engine to its maximum speed. The smoke meter is connected , and the engine is quickly accelerated to its maximum speed 3 times. If the smoke density readings is less than the limits given, it will pass.
Non-Turbo vehicles: 2.5m-1
Turbocharged vehicles: 3.0m-1
No comments:
Post a Comment