Citroen C4 Hatchback 1.6 HDi SX

Thank you for the clear explanation.

I can only suggest someone isn't doing their job properly! I mean, the (correct) oil MUST be changed at or preferably before the service interval.

Another sure fire way of self destruct on these cars is over filling the oil. In the old days, the dipstick tube ended at the bottom of the block so the stick was free to dip the level without any real problem. Now, the dipstick tube goes well into the sump. The result is no blowback, but to dip the oil you must pull the stick, wipe it, dip it and pull it again. If the level is even a few mm over the mark the engines fate is sealed.

Another thing with hdi & tdi, dti, etc in fact ANY turbo charged engine is the need to allow the turbo to spool down after a hard run. If you live at the top of a hill, let the engine idle for, at the very least, 30 seconds, but rather a full minute. The reason is the turbo runs hot, very hot. So if you rev it then switch off, the turbo will be spinning at high rpm (they can reach 80,000rpm at full boost!!) and it needs oil to lubricate and cool it. Once the engine is off, the oil is no longer flowing so the turbo is spinning on a tiny bit of oil that is getting hotter & hotter. This has the effect of creating carbon build up. Once this starts, the "bearing" of oil gets smaller until the turbo cannot be lubricated with any real efficiency. I am trying to explain it in simple terms. It is a lot more complicated, but suffice to say, the turbo tends to go bang!

So, to sum up. Extended oil services are bad. They kill engines. I see it all the time. Oil galleries have got smaller as engines get more compact. The result is more heat is generated and the likely hood that as oil changes are skipped, the carbon build up is like narrowing of arteries. Eventually something gives.

I had a Picasso 2.0 HDi with 200,000 + miles on it. It started well, drove well and never used oil. The reason being I changed the oil every 8000 miles & always allowed the turbo to spool down.

I had a 2002 Renault Laguna 1.9 DCi, 178,000 miles on original turbo. Again, regular oil changes and allow the turbo to spool down.

Do you see a pattern?

I hope this is of some use to someone.

A

i have a 2008 c41.6 hdi 42000 miles and the same has hapend to mine they said it would cost 2,800 to repair it or they said they would give me 2,000 for the car against a another new c4. what can you do its worth nothing if u repair it and its worth nothing if u sell i t

The Citroen EGS gearbox takes a ittle time to appreciate. However, I suggest the effect you describe is caused more by lack of practise than a design problem.

I have driven the Audi DSG system which is slick in comparison, but mimicks the traditional auto box - e.g. it creeps forwards in drive mode when stationary, and backwards in reverse when stationary. The Audi will override the driver in manual mode, though, as you described above.

Citroen's EGS system is designed for someone who is used to manual boxes, and therefore will only move off the spot when the accelerator is pressed. This saves fuel and makes hill starts similar to a manual. In the same way, if driven in automatic mode, fuel savings will be made as it is designed to change gear optimally.

If you forget to change gear when in manual mode, the computer senses this to prevent stalling or lugging and changes down, or in the case of over revving it will change up, similar to the Audi.

i also have the C4 sx Auto but i only get an average of 30 mpg doing half motorway and half town work. i have noticed that when it is in auto mode it will not change up untill it reaches at least 43 mph so i have to keep using the manual shift other than the mpg its a great car to drive but

Since owning the car for 4 months and covering about 6,000 miles. The economy is still good (never dropped below 50mpg). The wheel alignment went wrong (no I didn't kerb it) and the car started to drift to the left. It took Citroen 3 attempts (under warranty) to fix it, so it's no surprise to see that my local Citroen dealer (Basingstoke) are just as bad as they used to be when I last owned a Citroen.

The model I have is an SX, and the previous owner had rear parking sensors added. These work only when the bumper is dry; when it's wet they go ballistic, continuously beeping when in reverse. The beep is really loud, so I unstuck the speaker and poked it through into the boot - much better sound level now!

One other thing. Compared to a Focus, this car is less sure footed on the road. In a Focus you can go round a corner at scary speeds, and you knew exactly what it would do when it hit a bump. The C4 just doesn't inspire the same confidence. But with better MPG my pocket prefers the car.

I bought a c4 1.6 (110) diesel from new and love it. You get so much more for your money than a lot of other manufacturers. The styling is also A1. I chose the coupe and have nothing negative to say about it

Good comment about the foot on the clutch... I love the looks of the C4 and test drove the 4 door 1.4.. I want the 3door 1.6 but I couldn't test drive it. I heard the only -ve aspect is a small point, the gears are not as 'sure footed' in their feedback, like a focus goes 'clunk' when you click it into place.

When I drove it, I didn't mind this, even though I like the ford focus gear change. I read many positive reviews of this car from top gear... honest-johns etc, one mentioned front driver space... I puched my seat right back for the test drive, but I picked up a friend on the way to get their opinion, I had to move the seat forward... not uncomfortable.... and usually I won't have people in the back...

I like you review because I am used to a metal plate on cars to rest my foot on, except mercedes which stick the 'hand brake' there on some models I drove... crazy! (ok it is above the plate).

Back on topic, I will have to drive it more to see if this driving position gets uncomfortable, althought the seats feel great, and the cabin airy and relaxing, quiet too.