Citroen C4: Hereditary diseases. Disadvantages and advantages, weaknesses of the Citroen C4 Fox drives the Citroen C4 running sores

Transmission Citroen C4 I and its disadvantages

There are fewer complaints about the Citroen C4 transmission, mechanical and manual transmission The Sensodrive are quite reliable, with the exception of the clutch release bearing. Its plastic body is not durable. Not everyone may like the slurred gear shifting and long shifts of the manual transmission lever, as well as the excessive thoughtfulness of Sensodrive during acceleration. In the shortcomings of the Citroen C4 gearbox, I would also write down the absence of a dipstick and control plug.

Problems with automatic transmission Citroen C4

As for automatic transmissions, the situation is more deplorable. Automatic transmission type AL4 in the Citroen C4 it is frankly unreliable and problematic, its critical wear can occur already at 150 thousand kilometers. But even if it miraculously survived to 250, then the replacement of failed valve body valves is guaranteed, because if this is not done, then the band brake breaks and the box stupidly jams - you will have to do it in the Citroen C4. Automatic Gearbox modification EG56 even more problematic and capricious and when switching works with jerks.

An oil change in a gearbox is provided depending on its type: mechanical - every 100 thousand kilometers, automatic transmission type AL4 - 90 thousand km (filter can not be changed), EG56 - 60,000.

Video - oil check in automatic transmission AL4

Disadvantages in C4 steering

In the steering of the Citroen, the steering rack turned out to be the most reliable. And all the other parts are holding up well, with the exception of the steering tips. Sometimes they have to be changed after 25,000 km of run. The fixed steering wheel hub also looks unusual.

Brake system

AT brake system Citroen C4 only one sore: problematic self service rear mechanism, because special tools are needed to screw in the pistons when replacing the pads. The front turned out to be short-lived brake discs requiring replacement after 45 thousand km. Brake pads and then nursed for 5,000 more - a paradox. The rear brake discs run up to 100 thousand km without problems.

Brake fluid is changed every 2 years of operation.

Operation of the Citroen C4 suspension

The suspension is comfortable, provides a smooth ride, the terms for replacing parts correspond to the average: front stabilizer- after 30 thousand km, Citroen C4 - 60 thousand km, racks rear stabilizer withstand up to 70 thousand km, and the rear shock absorbers are another 10,000 more.

Video - replacement rear springs and shock absorbers for Citroen C4

In the chassis of the Citroen C4, the main disadvantage is that when the Citroen is damaged wheel bearings, so they have to be changed together, although the wheel bearings themselves run 120 thousand km without problems.

Sores in electrical equipment Citroen C4 2004-2011 onwards

Electrical equipment is not distinguished by high reliability and trouble-free, even seemingly simple operation for replacing light bulbs in headlights and lanterns due to tight fit and fragile latches can be frankly disappointing. The headlight washer, air conditioning, as well as the switching and climate control unit turned out to be the most unreliable.

Citroen C4 began production in September 2004. His wardrobe included two suits: a three-door coupe and five-door hatchback. In 2008, the “Frenchman” went through a restyling, during which the appearance was slightly retouched, slightly changing the shape of the optics, bumpers and interior. The range of engines has also been updated. In 2010, the Citroen C4 began to be assembled in Russia near Kaluga using the SKD method, and in 2011 the second generation Citroen C4 replaced it.

Engines

The Citroen C4 engine range is represented by petrol power units with a volume of 1.4 liters (90 hp), 1.6 (110 hp), 2.0 liters (138, 143 hp and 180 hp) . Most widespread received a 1.6 liter engine. Minor troubles that the TU5JP4 engine (110 hp) threw up due to poor assembly, most likely have already been eliminated during the period warranty service. But many owners note the incorrect behavior of the motor - dips in traction at speeds close to 3000, floating idle speeds, difficulty starting. The reason for this phenomenon is not yet clear, in some cases it was possible to correct the situation by replacing spark plugs, ignition coils, flashing the ECU, cleaning or replacing throttle valve. Another common occurrence is oil leakage from under the gasket between the head and cylinder block.

Thermostat failure on 1.6 liter engines (TU5JP4, 110 hp) is often observed after 100 - 120 thousand km. Its malfunction can lead to overheating of the engine, in addition, it provokes an antifreeze leak. A new thermostat will cost 2 thousand rubles. The EP6 engine (1.6 l, 120 hp), which replaced the 110-horsepower one, is deprived of this problem.

The new EP6 engine was developed jointly with BMW. The motor did not live up to expectations, it also turned out to be not without a “gun”. Chain pull and wear seats camshafts with a run of more than 50 - 60 thousand km are not uncommon. Repair will cost 15 - 20 thousand rubles.

Ignition coils on both engines run at least 90 - 110 thousand km (about 5 thousand rubles). The cooling system pump will last at least 60 - 80 thousand km (1,000 rubles). In order not to go to a car service once again, it should be replaced together with timing belt, which is recommended to be replaced every 60,000 km.

Some are confused by the "crackling" with right side engine, more often in winter. There is no reason for concern - this is an adsorber valve that cracks down on gasoline vapors. catalytic converter rarely goes more than 150 - 200 thousand km.

Often the cooling fan relay sticks, in which case it does not turn on, and there is a danger of overheating, or does not turn off after the engine stops, continuing to thresh until it is completely discharged battery. AT critical situation saves a light tap on the relay case before it trips, but you should not pull with a replacement.

Transmission

The Citroen C4 was equipped with a 5-speed mechanical box gears and a 4-speed automatic.

The clutch of mechanics runs about 100 - 150 thousand km. The original set of a new clutch will cost 9 - 10 thousand rubles, non-original 5 - 6 thousand rubles. Replacement work will require another 5-7 thousand rubles. Sometimes it happens that release bearing surrenders earlier - with a run of 70 - 90 thousand km. Often there is a "crunch" when the gears are turned on - the reason is the surrendered synchronizers. The howling or hum of the box in motion is caused by the bearing input shaft, which may have to be replaced with a run of more than 120 - 140 thousand km. The bearing will cost 2-3 thousand rubles, the work to replace it will cost 6-7 thousand rubles.

An automatic machine with a run of more than 80 - 120 thousand km may cease to please its owner, starting to twitch when switching or going into emergency mode. The reason for the trouble lies in solenoid valves that need to be replaced. Repair costs will range from 11 to 18 thousand rubles.

Chassis

The suspension is not very reliable. Unpleasant thumping when driving through bumps may appear after 40 - 60 thousand km. Its reasons: silent blocks of the rear suspension (later they began to install reinforced ones), anther walking along the rod rear shock absorber(a retrofit kit is provided by the manufacturer) or rear racks(more often knock in winter). Loose fastening fuel tank also provokes an annoying "bumbling".

The front wheel bearings are rented after 50 - 100 thousand km, and the stabilizer struts - at 40 - 60 thousand km. Thrust bearings go at least 80 - 100 thousand km, suspension arms - 150 - 200 thousand km.

Steering tips serve about 40 - 60 thousand km, steering rods - about 80 - 110 thousand km. steering rack often starts knocking with a run of more than 60 - 100 thousand km., The reason is the wear of the guide bushings. The electro-hydraulic power steering hydraulic pump may leak through the "chip" in which the power cable passes. When replacing the pump, you will have to register it in the ECU.

front brake pads go at least 30 - 50 thousand km, rear 50 - 70 thousand km. The front brake discs are operational for at least 70 - 100 thousand km, the rear - 80 - 120 thousand km.

Conclusion

It is unlikely that anyone will doubt that the Citroen C4 is very elegant and beautiful car, which is popular not only among ladies, but also among young people. For this unique image, its owners are ready to forgive him for many shortcomings.

It's been like 5 months since I Citroen owner C4 II automatic transmission (AT 8) 1.6 l - 120 l. With. 2012 onwards in picking tendance + package Auto, which includes climate control, light and rain sensors. Mileage today is only 6000 km, but, unfortunately, there is already something to write about. Citroen was bought at the end of 2012 at a discount of 45,000 rubles, after I had stolen a six-month-old KIA Cerato in the maximum configuration for 1.6 liters. It’s good that the car was insured and the insurance company didn’t delay, they paid the entire amount, minus the deductible, exactly the same day, as prescribed in the contract. By the way, when insuring under CASCO, pay attention to the insurance rules, because not all insurance companies pay 100% of the amount for which the car is insured in case of theft. Most insurers withhold 20% in the first year.

So, to the Citroen. Like most C4 owners of the early years of release, I was not bypassed by the children's sores of the Citroen.

Firstly, the thermostat, which was replaced by an authorized dealer before the car was issued to me.

Second, freezing locks rear doors(not trunk) in the winter after washing. Immediately after washing, of course, all the locks are blown, wiped, the doors open and close normally, but in the morning if you open the rear doors, you can’t close them anymore, and they open quite normally. Something freezes in the lock itself from the end of the door and does not allow the door to close completely, attempts to close the door with force do not help. The locks can only be thawed after a generous amount of WD-40 grease, which I always try to carry in the trunk. This problem is fixed under warranty, as I was told in the service, the rear door trim is removed, inside some kind of cable is dried, additionally isolated from moisture. After that, the locks work properly. They haven’t done anything to me yet, because the malfunction must be demonstrated to the warranty officer, and the nearest dealer is 130 km away and while you are driving, the locks are thawing and everything is working properly. We agreed that they would do everything for me, but only in winter season, that is, as soon as it gets colder next winter, I'll go. In the meantime, in the winter I got by with the fact that immediately after washing I lubricate the locks with WD-40 and in the morning after washing, until everything warms up, I do not open the rear doors.

Thirdly, the climate control stopped cooling, that is, even when the climate is set to 14 degrees and the air conditioner is on, it blows conventional air from the street, or maybe the air conditioner did not work, because I bought the car in the winter and did not use the air conditioner, but when it got warmer I began to notice that something was not right here. Booked in for a diagnostic next week. They say that a common problem is treated by replacing some kind of relay, after the diagnosis I will unsubscribe. I must say that a restyled Peugeot 308 friend had the same problem, fixed under warranty, only the spare part was waiting for 3 weeks.

Fourthly, with a run of about 4000 km, he called me official dealer and invited for a warranty replacement of the power protection and distribution unit. I must say that everything worked properly, but according to the part number, the block fell under replacement. Replaced in about an hour.

Now directly to the operation and a small comparison.

Engine and automatic transmission.
In Citroen, engine noise in the cabin is much less audible than in Kia. Moreover, the EP6 engine has 120 hp. s., that on the Citroen c4, there is a feature, with a cold start (-20 and below), this engine rumbles like some kind of diesel tractor. After about five minutes, depending on the air temperature, the engine starts to run quietly. The machine, in principle, warmed up, works adequately, until it warms up, jolts are felt when switching from first to second. With a sharp acceleration in normal mode (not sport), there is a second, or maybe a couple of seconds of thoughtfulness before the machine drops the gear down, after which the Citroen starts smooth acceleration. If suddenly, after a sharp press on the gas pedal, you change your mind about accelerating further, let off the gas, then the machine keeps the increased speed for some time, but in Cerato it immediately switched to overdrive. In Cerato and its 6 automatic transmissions, the gears shifted much faster and cold box worked in the same way as warmed up, i.e. with normal driving without sharp pressing on the gas pedal, there were no shocks and in general the box worked so smoothly that I did not notice when it switched. With a sharp acceleration, the machine dropped one or two gears down with a noticeable push, which was accompanied by a roar of the engine, while the machine kept the speed in the region of 5, 5 - 6 thousand. In the Citroen hard pressing one, rarely two gears and revolutions in the region of 4000 are reset to the gas pedal with a gradual increase.

Moreover, Citroen has one more feature, regardless of whether it is a mechanic or automatic (I learned about this on the C4 owners forum) at a constant speed of about 70 km / h (for some, from 60 to 80) and a slight pressure on the gas pedal from the lever shifting gears, a barely noticeable noise is heard, and I have this noise in any gear (2, 3, 4) and at any speed and only with a slightly depressed gas pedal, if you press a little harder or release the pedal, the noise disappears. I did not find the cause of this noise either from the officials or on the specialized forums. Moreover, when I asked this question to the dealer, the serviceman answered me: “I don’t know, look on the Internet.”

Citroen has more winter mode Automatic transmission, in which the car moves off from the second gear and shifts gears more smoothly. When driving in ice and loose snow, it really helps.

Salon and comfort.
The driving position of the C4 and Cerato is slightly different. In Cerato you sit a little lower and the back is tilted back more, in the C4 the landing is more bus-like, the seat is raised higher compared to the KIA and the back is more vertical, the seat itself in the Kia was softer. It was more convenient for me to sit in the Kia to bus landing C4 got used to it for a long time, but now when I'm used to it, I try to make the back more vertical everywhere.

The climate control in the C4 works more adequately, it has been in automatic mode all winter, the intensity of the automatic mode can be adjusted, I set it to a minimum. Throughout the winter, in automatic mode, the windows never froze or fogged up, the climate in the cabin kept the temperature perfectly, which cannot be said about the climate in Kia, it is generally inadequate there, in the winter in the car at first it blows only on the glass for a couple of minutes, then only in legs, and the head freezes at the same time. As a result, I spat on all this and went to Kia in the winter manual mode“To the legs and to the windshield”, a mode in which air is simultaneously supplied to the legs, and to the face, and to the glass - there is no Kia. In Citroen, the modes can be combined as you like, at least turn it on in all places at once. In summer, the climate in Cerato also did not work quite adequately, at first it blows very cold, then gradually the air flow decreases and starts blowing cold only in the face, occasionally blowing in the legs.

The quality of interior trim materials in C4, it seemed to me, is better than in Kia. In C4, the plastic is soft, while nothing creaks. In Cerato, the plastic was hard and almost from the first kilometers something tapped, creaked from behind, I never found that it creaked.

The spare tire in the C4 is a full-size R16, I haven’t used it and I hope I won’t have to. In KIA, a dokatka, and I had to use it already on a run of 100 km, I didn’t even have time to get home from the salon. And it's all to blame low profile tires on R17 disks and pits on the roads. Moreover, the pit was small, I didn’t pay attention to such pits before, and before Kia I had a Skoda Octavia on R15 disks with normal tires (I mean the rubber profile). Total: 2 holes in the sidewall and camber adjustment. They welded it up at the tire fitting shop, they said, they say you will drive until you erase the tread to zero, but even then I had doubts, put this wheel back just in case and started looking for someone to sell this whole set on R17 disks, because to ride on our roads on such tires it was very uncomfortable, and the hernia climbed quite a significant size.

After about 2 months, I sold the R17 and bought the R15, it became softer, but it was a little worse in handling, but it suited me anyway. Perhaps some will say why then I took it on 17 disks, I would immediately take a simpler package on R16. I will say right away that I myself did not want to take on 17, but at the same time I really wanted ESP, which is only in this configuration, so I had to overpay for both 17 wheels and keyless entry and for the start / stop button, by the way, the function is generally useless, because the car still has to be opened from the alarm key fob, and then there is nowhere to stick the key. The car often lost the key and emitted unpleasant sound, very annoying.

door lock in open state in Kia, the doors didn’t hold at all, a little tilt or a breeze closes immediately, it was especially annoying if you take something out of the passenger compartment. In Citroen, everything is much better, fairly clear positions of the doors in the open position, they do not close themselves.

Power windows in Citroen have auto mode on all windows, in Cerato only on the glass on the driver's side and this is the maximum configuration.

Heated seats in Kia have two modes - on and off, the intensity is not adjustable, but the buttons are located on the central panel, which is much more convenient than in Citroen. In C4, there are 3 modes of twists, but they are located on the seats on the side of the doors, that is, if the passenger left and did not turn off the heating, then you will have to pull quite far.

The glove box - that in Citroen, that in Kia is not cooled. In Citroen, it is so deep that in order to reach the back wall of the glove compartment from the driver's seat, you have to tear your butt off the seat.

USB in Citroen is not in my configuration, there is only an aux input, I did not have to use it. There was a usb input in Cerate, but he didn’t read all the flash drives, and it’s impossible to determine which one he likes or not, he tried many options. Moreover, I am inclined to believe that it was the radio tape recorder in Kia that killed 2 flash drives for me, I used one for a long time and it always worked properly, as soon as I started listening to music in the car from it - it died, then a flash drive was bought specifically for music in the car , who also did not live long, had to listen to the radio. As a result, another flash drive was bought, but only I didn’t stick it into the radio tape recorder and it has been working for me for almost a year now.

I don’t know how many liters the windshield washer reservoir in Citroen (in my opinion, about 6.5 liters), but in comparison with the Cerato reservoir, in which even a 5 liter bottle of washer does not fit, 5 liters calmly fit into the Citroen, not even in an empty reservoir and there is still room.

Convenient cornering light function at low speed (in my opinion, it turns on if the speed is below 35 km / h) in Citroen. turn on anti-fog headlight on the corresponding side to which the steering wheel is turned or the direction indicator is turned on, while the dipped beam must be turned on.

Running lights in Kia simply do not exist and this is again the maximum speed. In Citroen, they are built into the headlight unit, turn on when the engine is started, and can be turned off through the on-board computer.

The rear parking sensors in Kia and Skoda were standard and there were no questions about their work, they determined the distance to obstacles quite accurately. The only display of the distance to the obstacle on the Skoda was more convenient on the central panel on the radio displays. In Kia, the distance was displayed on the instrument panel behind the wheel and when the steering wheel was turned, the screen was not visible, although I didn’t really look at it, I was guided by the sound. In Citroen, the dealer installed parking sensors, which were marked on the price list as recommended by Citroen with a digital indication of the distance in meters and sound, but there are problems with it in the winter after washing. I don’t know what freezes in the sensors, but after that they determine the distances inadequately, that is, not at all, regardless of whether there is an obstacle behind or not, the parktronic beeps wildly and shows 0.0 m. This is partly solved by thoroughly blowing the sensors, and if after that they are still buggy - I put the car backwards in the sun, after which they work properly.

Trunk. Citroen has various hooks, nets and niches for small things. There is nothing like that in Cerato, inner space the trunk is not thought out in any way, all small things ride around the trunk. However, with the backrests reclined rear seats(at the same time, the floor does not work out even, with a step) several times it was possible to shove two mountain (not children's) bikes into the trunk at the same time with the front wheels removed.

Gas tank. The system for opening the gas tank cap is different. In Skoda, you need to press on the lid itself, in the winter after washing there were always problems opening, it froze. In cerate, you need to pull the lever on the side of driver's seat and the lid, according to the idea, should open, but it didn’t happen ... It was very rare to open the lid the first time. The fact is that even with the lever fully raised, the tongue holding the gas tank cap does not move to the right distance, literally some millimeters are missing. Some cerate owners simply cut off part of the tongue. I contacted the officials about this. The answer was the following: the lid opens, but so what, if not the first time, the case is not guaranteed. In Citroen, the easiest way to do this is to press the button in the cabin and the gas tank cap opens, and there is no plug, which is very convenient.

Suspension. Close to the ideal suspension for comfortable (not sporty) movement - this is of course Octavia, not rigid, moderately elastic, does not notice relatively large irregularities. A little further from the ideal Citroen c4, it is quite comfortable, moderately soft, while handling is at a decent level, but often breaks through the rear suspension with frightening sounds. I would still like a little softer suspension. Suspension cerate is very far from ideal. Rigid, breaks through almost any bump. At the same time, handling is worse than on a Citroen.

Clearance. When changing from Kia to Citroen, I had the feeling that I had moved to some kind of crossover, while I had never hitched it. On Cerate, it hitched everywhere, very low, although it didn’t seem so in the showroom.

Consumption. C4 in a city with low mileage 10.3 l / 100 km. Average consumption over the last 4000 km, did not specifically reset the readings on-board computer.9.5 l/100 km. Most of the run fell on winter period. On the highway, the consumption at a speed of 100-110 km / h is 7-7.5 l / km. Gasoline only 95. Cerato had a bigger appetite, in the city everything was with the same low mileage up to 11.5 l / km of 92nd gasoline. At the same time, the gas tank was only about 50 liters and I had to call in for refueling quite often.

Advantages of the car:
Quality interior trim materials.
Adequate climate control.
Not a small clearance for passenger car.
Crankcase protection is already in the database.

Flaws:
Thoughtful machine.
Children's sores.

If you decide to take Citroen C4 - take only production, starting from the second half of 2012, they should already have eliminated all childhood diseases. See the production date in the TCP, when I took the car I thought that it was produced at the end of the year, but it turned out not. If you stopped at Kia cerate, now in the previous body, then I do not advise you to take maximum configuration. Personally for myself, after owning cerate, I decided that with brand KIA I won't contact you for the next few years.

Engine Citroen C4 1.6 liters, this is our today's hero of the article. At the same time, we will tell you about two atmospheric engines at once, which are most often found under the hood. french car. The first naturally aspirated engine 1.6 liters TU5 appeared immediately. It can be found in various power options from 109 to 115 hp. depending on settings. In 2008, a more modern EP6 120 hp Both engines are 4-cylinder, 16-valve, but structurally they are seriously different. In particular, the TU5 has a timing belt, while the EP6 has a chain.

Engine device Citroen C4 1.6 l.

Engine Citroen C4 TU5, this is an in-line 4-cylinder 16-valve engine with cast iron block cylinders and an overhead arrangement of two camshafts. The power system is a distributed multi-point injection BOSH.

EP6 engine developed with the participation of BMW engineers. This is an in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve with aluminum block and chain drive Timing. True first series power units had a huge number of childhood diseases due to the complexity of the design. After all, engineers managed to implement not only a change in the valve timing, but also a mechanism for adjusting the opening of valves on different height, variable geometry intake tract without the participation of the throttle and so on.

Engine block head Citroen C4 1.6 l.

Cylinder head Citroen C4 TU5 aluminum with two camshafts. The design of the cylinder head itself is quite interesting, it consists of two parts and has two separate valve covers. The camshaft itself is laid on the cylinder head pastel, and a housing common to the entire camshaft is screwed on top, which holds the camshaft in its place. this motor has hydraulic lifters, so there are problems with adjustment valve clearance should not be.

cylinder head EP6 also has hydraulic lifters, but also a rather complex design. We have already mentioned the valve height adjustment system, and so it is implemented using a rather unreliable stepper motor with a camshaft. Do not forget about the system of variable valve timing implemented using a hydraulic phase shifter and other goodies. In general, we do not recommend opening valve covers on your own.

Timing drive for Citroen C4 1.6 liter engine.

Belt drive Citroen C4 TU5 not much different from other 16-valve variants with two camshafts. Let's say right away that when the valve belt breaks, it bends unambiguously. Big plus when replacing the belt, it can be considered a self-adjusting timing drive, that is, the belt tension is controlled by a dynamic tension roller.

Initially, the manufacturer declared the belt resource to be replaced at 80 thousand km, then increased it to 120 thousand km, but the operating experience of the TU5 and similar French units shows that in the Russian climate it is not recommended to exceed the belt replacement interval of 60 thousand. Moreover, along with the belt, it is recommended to change the pump. After all, the water pump pulley also rotates due to the belt. Timing belt diagram in the picture a little higher.

Citroen C4 1.6 l. with chain drive EP6 theoretically should be different high reliability, however, in practice it turned out that the unfinished design with a chain is worse than the belt version. True, this is true for the first motors, then the manufacturer gradually eliminated all these problems.

Timing chain C4 often stretches with a run already of 50-60 thousand km, and fixing the sprocket on camshaft produced without any key/pin by just friction and bolt torque. But the bolt itself from excessive loads is simply unscrewed. Even with a slight weakening of it, the meeting of valves with pistons is inevitable on this motor.

Characteristics of the engine Citroen C4 1.6 l. NFU TU5

Working volume - 1587 cm3
Number of cylinders - 4
Number of valves - 16
Cylinder diameter - 78.5 mm
Piston stroke - 82 mm
Timing drive - belt
HP power (kW) - 109 (80) at 5800 rpm in min.
Torque - 147 Nm at 4000 rpm. in min.
Maximum speed - 189 km / h
Acceleration to the first hundred - 12.5 seconds
Fuel type - gasoline AI-95
Fuel consumption in the city - 10 liters
Fuel consumption in combined cycle– 7.2 liters

Characteristics of the engine Citroen C4 1.6 l. EP6 VTi 120

Working volume - 1598 cm3
Number of cylinders - 4
Number of valves - 16
Cylinder diameter - 77 mm
Stroke - 85.8 mm
Timing drive - belt
HP power (kW) - 120 (88) at 6000 rpm in min.
Torque - 160 Nm at 4250 rpm. in min.
Maximum speed - 181 km / h
Acceleration to the first hundred - 12.8 seconds
Fuel type - gasoline AI-95
Fuel consumption in the city - 9.9 liters
Combined fuel consumption - 7.1 liters
Fuel consumption on the highway - 5.6 liters

Based on the 1.6 liter naturally aspirated EP6, a turbocharged engine THP 150 hp (at a torque of 240 Nm). This version is for those who like to drive. Here, acceleration to hundreds takes only about 8 seconds, while fuel consumption is slightly less than that of atmospheric counterparts Citroen C4.

Like other manufacturers, Citroen, of course, is struggling with the sores of their cars ... But in the course of evolution, new ones appear. Let's try to diagnose model C4.

Model history

2004. Debut of the Citroen C4 (the model replaced the Xara). Body: 3- or 5-door hatchback. Engines: gasoline R4 - 1.4 l, 65 kW / 88 hp; 1.6 l, 80 kW / 109 hp; 1.6 l, 82 kW/112 hp (bi-fuel: ethanol/gasoline); 2.0 l, 103 kW/140 hp or 132 kW/180 hp (the last one is for the WTS version); diesel R4 - 1.6 l, 66 kW / 90 hp or 80 kW/109 hp (different settings); 2.0 l, 103 kW/140 hp Front-wheel drive, M5, M6 (diesel only) or A4.
Crash test EuroNCAP: 16 points for a frontal impact, 18 for a side impact. Bottom line: five stars.
2006. Picasso version.
2007. In January, the extended Picasso is introduced, and in the summer - a sedan. Gas engine P4, 1.8 l, 92 kW / 125 hp
2008. Facelift: minor changes in optics, bumpers, interior. New engines: petrol P4, 1.6 l, 88 kW / 120 hp; turbocharged petrol P4, 1.6 l, 103 kW / 140 hp or 110 kW/150 hp (accordingly AKP or MCP); diesel P4, 2.0 l, 110 kW / 150 hp
2010. Start of model production in Kaluga. The new generation C4 is presented in Paris.

Why buy it?

When asked by the owner of the C4 why he chose a car of this particular brand, many answer: "Citroen is a state of mind." And it doesn't matter that immediately after buying a new car, it loses in price much more than its classmate competitors - 13-17%, depending on the configuration.
For a bold design and original solutions, such as a fixed steering wheel hub, the car is forgiven a lot. Including - unimportant sound insulation and harsh suspension. As well as annoying breakdowns that occur, however, more often during the warranty period.

We lose comfort gradually ...

The regular Blaupunkt audio center sometimes stops reading discs, and contact is lost in the climate control knobs: when you turn the wheel, the temperature changes from one extreme to another. On cars manufactured in 2004–2006, the gears of the heater dampers often wore out and the rear door locks froze. The latter began to be protected from moisture with additional plastic shields, and later completely changed the design.

The failure of the electric seat heating in 2008 became widespread. The insidiousness is that the elements of the back and pillow are connected in series and when one of them breaks (usually in the back), the entire seat stops heating. The repair is not easy, because the heater is integrated into the filler, to which the upholstery is glued. That is, this is a single detail, and not cheap: a fabric back costs 30 thousand rubles, and a leather one costs twice as much! You will not envy if the warranty on the car has already ended.
Until 2007, windshields sometimes spontaneously cracked. Let's give credit to the dealers: they did not even try to fight off, looking for chips from stones invisible to the eye.
There were cases of unsuccessful fixation of side moldings: after gluing new glass, they often bristled. And the lower one, on the frill, completely slipped off the glass, exposing a huge gap. In principle, it’s not scary, but if it annoys you, put the molding on the sealant.

Guilty and decisions

The owners themselves are usually to blame for power window failures - they kept the windows ajar in the rain, which caused the door console to flood. The windshield washer motor, made integral with the valve, has recently become noticeably more reliable. But headlight washers, alas, fail no less than before. In order to get rid of the defect, on machines Kaluga assembly... simply abolished this option. And at the same time they intend to exclude seat heating: no parts - no problems.

Overheated in the sun, plastic front fenders sometimes warp and begin to cling to the edge of the door when it is opened. And, surprisingly, it mostly happens on the starboard side. Don't worry: as soon as the wing cools down, the gap with the door will return to normal. But still, it is better to loosen the fasteners and move the wing slightly forward. Or don't park your car in the sun.

TU5: Dashing Trouble Beginning

One of the most common engines is the 109 hp 1.6 liter TU5 gasoline engine. (See Model History). At first, the unit was not famous for its reliability. throttle assembly: due to warping of the plastic shutter, it worked unsteadily on Idling and transition modes. The node supplier, Bosch, was at first at a loss: nowhere, except for Citroen, did they notice anything similar. However, the assembly was finalized by making dampers from more heat-resistant plastic, and around the end of 2006, the malfunction disappeared.

In the same 2006, a batch of machines with defective block heads passed. The valve guide bushings were loose, causing oil to seep through the gap with the head body. Sometimes it took more than a liter per thousand kilometers! Of course, the valves were overgrown with a thick layer of soot and either jammed in the guides or burned out. Be that as it may, the matter turned into a serious repair (exclusively under warranty). Considering that the defect was obvious, massive and transient, we undertake to assure you that all the motors were repaired, and it is unlikely to encounter such a disaster today.
The timing drive on the TU5 is belt driven, so strictly follow the timing of the replacement. At first, they ordered to change after 80 thousand km, and later deadline increased to 120 thousand. But experts recommend adhering to the old recommendations, since there were belt breaks with a run of just over 100 thousand km.

EP6: bad legacy

In 2008, the TU5 engine was gradually replaced by a more modern EP6 unit (1.6 l, 120 hp) joint development concerns PCA and BMW. Here the camshaft is driven by a chain. Hope it doesn't get demolished? No matter how: the first signs of excessive elongation make themselves felt already at 50-60 thousand km. But this is not the most unpleasant: the sprocket on the crankshaft is fixed only by friction (there is no key or pin), and sometimes the central bolt does not hold. There are cases when he untwisted himself, of course, with sad consequences.
The situation is even worse with the turbocharged EP6DT engine: if the sprocket turns even a little here, the electronics will turn off the turbine. And this is also unsafe - imagine what would happen when overtaking!
The operation of the control motor of the valve lift mechanism, as mechanics joke, contradicts the laws of physics: instead of current, oil flows through the wires. It seeps through the regulator rod and, having passed through the entire motor, finishes it off. Thankfully, this warranty case- the dealer will fork out for 7150 rubles (work plus a spare part).

EW10A waiting for lapping

The two-liter EW10A is familiar from the C5 model. If a cold motor does not keep idle and "fails" in transient conditions, the way to your service. There, say the spell "initialization", and the specialists will immediately understand: the elements of the peripheral equipment of the engine have ceased to understand each other.
The process of lapping characters is simple: on a cold engine, connect the scanner, put it into the sensor learning mode and, starting the engine, warm it up to operating temperature(before turning on the fan). After that, the electronics begin to work smoothly, as a single organism.

Cars with an ET3 engine are extremely rare on the market. It's a pity, because it is one of the most reliable gasoline units. Statistics on diesel engines that are not officially supplied to us are scarce. It is only known that in Europe they work without serious damage, but our closest neighbors, in Belarus and Ukraine, sometimes fail with expensive fuel equipment.

AKP - it doesn't get worse

About automatic box(the infamous AL4) they usually speak very emotionally - for many years the French have not been able to achieve its reliability! Either an error will be displayed due to the pressure difference (the valve does not hold), then the entire hydraulic unit will fail, or even the band brake will completely break and the unit will jam. It used to be that a brand new car could not leave the car transporter on its own! So the owners go to the service, as if to work (by the way, read one of the stories in the “Forum” section). You don’t know what is better - to take a car with a machine gun and constantly pray for it, or to prefer a mechanic.
But it is not a miracle of technology either - noisy, with an indistinct cable drive. In addition, on some cars, the input shaft taps, complaining of increased axial play. It happens that a tooth flies out on a gear main couple and pierces the crankcase. These problems are known from Xara, from which the unit was borrowed, but, alas, it was not possible to bring it to mind.

...and other little things

The engine temperature sensor fails regularly. Some owners have already changed it three times, which is why they came to the conclusion that evolution did not affect this detail.
The generator is also a weakling - after three or four years it gives up under the influence of anti-icing chemistry. In winter, the starter often fails: the solenoid relay clicks, and the electric motor does not spin. This is due to the abundance of grease inside the relay. Freezing, it reliably isolates the power contacts, and in order to bring the unit back to life, sometimes it is enough just to remove the excess.
It turns out that evolution is not always good. On the example of this model, I dare to say: the French did not have enough revolutionary spirit (or means?) To radically change the design and immediately eradicate childhood diseases of problematic units and assemblies.
- a nice car, but innovative design alone will not get you far.

We thank the Citroen Center Moscow company on Viktorenko Street for their assistance in preparing the material.

The owner of this car washed engine compartment and flooded the switching unit. The latter already does not shine with reliability (especially on cars manufactured before 2007): the ignition relay burns out. Now they put more reliable Japanese relays. The rear suspension with an elastic H-beam does not require maintenance. Brake pads serve 40-50 thousand km, discs - under a hundred. On the machines of the first batches, the ears of the calipers often broke off, then the plant switched from Bosch mechanisms to more durable Lucas. As in front, we monitor the hub bearings! The inner joints of the steering rods, as well as the stabilizer struts, serve 20-30 thousand km, the outer ones - 40-50 thousand, the brake pads are about 30 thousand, and the disks are twice as long. Usually, by the 120th thousand, one of the wheel bearings starts to buzz. Instead of SKF, we advise you to take SNR - they have proven themselves better.
The location of the main VIN is in the upper left corner. The understudy is located behind the windshield (near the leash of the left wiper blade). The air conditioner tubes are sometimes completely oxidized in three years, and the air conditioner radiator in four. The EP6 engine is relatively young, but has already become famous for its unreliable timing chain drive. The kit, which includes a chain, tensioner and dampers, is inexpensive - 3,000 rubles, but pay another 5,800 to the dealer for a replacement. The TU5 engine, like other engines installed on the C4, is characterized by thermal stress. At least once a year we advise you to flush the radiators and blow out the honeycombs compressed air.
Engine generators TU5 from anti-icing reagents are dying like flies, not living up to three years. The layout on the EP6 is similar, but there is a Mitsubishi generator - it does not care about chemistry. Belt and pump rollers are the weak link of all C4 motors. This is how the heater damper repair kit looks like: a pair of reinforced gears with covers plus fasteners. The price is 610 rubles, the replacement work at the dealer will cost 1875 rubles. It is easy to change it yourself, since the instrument panel does not need to be removed for this. Do not be surprised if after two or three years of operation the paint on the hood will swell. Even if the car is still under warranty, you will have to repaint the part at your own expense - in last years the manufacturer refuses to repair free of charge.
Peeling chrome on the decorative elements of the interior is nothing compared to the unpredictable failures of the audio center, climate control and seat heating. The fixed hub of the steering wheel looks stylish, but you can argue about convenience.