Slight juddering problem

[ElRey]

Four days in and overall I'm very pleased with my DS3. However I have noticed a couple of intermittent problems....

1. Usually at a steady 50-60mph the car will start to judder as if the power is disappearing. It maintains the speed, but it really is like the power goes then comes back then goes quite quickly. This will continue until I either give it more acceleration or let off the accelerator. No abnormal noises, so I'm thinking this could well be electrical...airflow meter, throttle control?

2. Knocking noise when changing gear as the drive is released/taken up again. Happens in low gears unless clutch control is done very gently.

Engine is 1.6HDi 92hp.

Many thanks in advance for any ideas/suggestions.

[Perry]

Id go straight back to the dealer and tell them, Doesnt sound right at all.

[Mr-T]

1. Usually at a steady 50-60mph the car will start to judder as if the power is disappearing. It maintains the speed, but it really is like the power goes then comes back then goes quite quickly. This will continue until I either give it more acceleration or let off the accelerator. No abnormal noises, so I'm thinking this could well be electrical...airflow meter, throttle control?

Does the 1.6HDi have a Diesel Particulate Filter?

Because momentary juddering at around 1500rpm sounds like a problem some diesel Alfas have with their Diesel Particulate Filter/Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve (but not confined to Alfas).

[ZACK]

Does the 1.6HDi have a Diesel Particulate Filter?

Yes They Do

[ElRey]

I was hoping these problems might sort themselves out, but it's not getting any better. It sometimes doesn't seem to want to pick up power properly in 2nd gear, and the power keeps intermittently dipping when driving steadily at speeds of 50mph+, and strangely when going over some bumps. Back to the dealer it goes!

[Gareth]

Fuel pump?

[ElRey]

I really can't tell if this is mechanical or electrical. It feels as though it could be a sticking EGR valve or a dodgy air flow meter. At times the acceleration just feels gutless, especially in 2nd gear. However, there is also this knocking when I change gear, unless I'm very gentle with the clutch, and sometimes it feels as though the car is physically losing drive when I go over some bumps, and kind of jerking a bit, so then I'm thinking driveshaft or gearbox related.

It's just be nice to narrow this down before going to the dealer, coz more than likely they won't find anything wrong with it!

[jimmy.e]

Guess what now has my car "110hk diesel" starting to juddering to.

It started on the way home from work, Driving in 90km on 4-5 gear "2000-2500 tach" . And it was like driving a gas car with a empty tank. Tried 6 gear and it was the same.
I went straight to my citroen dealer and told them what has happend and i got a time 18th this month.They will check it out and maybe"MAYBE" let the mechanicer take the car home for a more thourogh fault search.
"Iam not worried aboute the mechanicer loaning my car, they have certien criteras.U must have worked 5+ years and have own lockable garage at home."

Hey "king" Elrey any progress with ur car.??

[ElRey]

It's awful to drive. Going back to the dealer tonight, but I know damn well they won't fix it.

Along with the juddering, it's very rough when changing gear, kind of snatchy, accompanied by knocking noises, when I can actually get it into
1st, 3rd and reverse that is! The clutch and brake pedals are loose, controls for wing mirrors don't work, and the driver's side window sounds as though it's going to come off it's runners!

Oh, and if I'm driving in 3rd or 4th and take my foot off the gas completely, then accelerate again, there's a horrible delay, knocking, then rough jerk of power. Definately something wrong with the transmission/running gear somewhere, but how many times do I have to take it to a dealer to be told they can't find a fault, or it's a 'characteristic' of the car?!

Regretting going back to Citroen now. DS3 has been a big disappointment. Poor build quality, and it seems the 99g is crudely setup.

[gar074]

Such a shame that your ownership experience has been so disappointing, ElRey.

The drivetrain problems seem to be restricted to the diesels. The other build problems (pedals, mirrors, windows) are presumably generic. Not noticed anything amiss with mine, but it may just be a matter of time...

[ElRey]

Yes, it is a real shame because I was very much looking forward to getting some economical motoring in a nice looking car.

Dealer has just called to say...surprise surprise 'they've checked everything and can't find a fault'. I guarantee that when I take it home tonight, it will misbehave as usual.

By contrast I have been given a petrol C3 as a courtesy car, and whilst it seriously lascks power, the gear change etc is so smooth and slick, just like you'd expect it to be...the car is easy to drive unlike my DS3.

Now I'll have to go down the route of seeing if the dealer can come up with something to get me into another car.

[Bigfeet]

Have you taken a tech out with you on a drive to show they the problems your having, normally it very hard to get across these things to someone else. This might explain why the dealer is not finding the problems you mention as they are not sure what they are.

[ElRey]

I have been out twice with techs from the dealership. The first time I got them to acknowledge that the gearchange is 'clunky'. Second time we couldn't really get going due to rush hour traffic. So, still no resolution. It's obviously a gearbox/clutch prblem but I don't have any hope of it getting fixed under warranty when the dealer can never find the fault.

I am sorting out a swap deal next week to get me into a 'normal' DSytle HDi, rather than the 99g one I have now.

Interestingly, I also learnt that the ride setup is also different on the 99g...probably why I find the cornering and road manners so poor. I'm sure if I can get into a 'normal' DStyle my opinions of the DS3 will start to change.

NOBODY BUY A 99G...they're poorly setup!

[gar074]

Have you had a decent, long, preferably unaccompanied test drive in a "normal" HDi? It would be a shame to get bitten twice.

[ElRey]

Yeah, that's what I plan to do, and replicate all the siuations where my car has problems. If a 'normal' HDi exhibits the same behaviour (which I'm sure it won't), then I'll know it won't be worth changing.