Citroën Berlingo 2

The second-generation Citroen of Berlingo, becoming more friendly, skillfully concealed his utilitarian appointment and encroached on rivals from the MPV segment. He tried to attract attention with the low price and the good geometry of the interior space. But at the same time, I did not forget about the practicality and ease of service. Compared to its predecessor, the car became wider by 8 cm, longer by 24 cm, and the wheelbase grew only by 4 cm. The Berlingo is based on a modified platform of the first Grand C4 Picasso. However, unlike the latter, the van does not offer 2-liter engines or air rear suspension that maintains a given height. In a car with a permissible maximum weight of 2.2 tons, you have to be satisfied with only 1.6-liter units and reinforced springs, which, when unladen, significantly reduce the level of comfort. However, there is also an old 1.9-liter diesel engine, which is not impressive either in the culture of work or in the dynamics. Space for the third row of seats in 7-seat modifications was freed up due to the forward shift of the second row (9 cm). The chairs are screwed up. As a result, passengers on the back sofa have to experience serious discomfort due to the lack of space in the knee area. And that's for a couple of boot seats used only a few times a year? Of course, it is better to give preference to the classic 5-seat versions. However, Berlingo 2 is hard to blame for the lack of practicality and functionality. All controls are easily accessible and the review is excellent. It is impossible not to mention the large rear sliding doors, which do not require much force to move. Berlingo does not have the capacity to drive actively, lacking precision and stability. It is all about too soft front shock absorbers and not hard enough body (especially in the presence of a glass roof). In addition, the rear shock pillars have too short a stroke. Some owners are trying to improve behavior by selecting non-original Silentblocks and shock absorbers, in particular from Picasso. The easiest solution is to give up everything. Or buy a younger copy. Over seven years of production, Citroen has slightly improved the characteristics of individual chassis components.

Engines

The Citroen Berlingo engine palette is rather boring. Even the most powerful of the 1.6 HDi (120 hp) gives only a sense of sufficiency. It allows you to move in urban conditions quite lively. However, on highways, reserves under the gas pedal quickly dwindle, forcing careful planning of overtaking. On the other hand, turbo diesel should be recognized as quite economical: 7 liters in the city and 5.5 liters on the highway.

The largest share of proposals are gasoline modifications.

Petrol engines

The least problematic are simple 16-valve engines of Peugeot-Citroen's own design - 1.6 (TU5JP4) with a capacity of 90 and 109 hp. The gas distribution mechanisms are operated by the HRM belt. The only drawback is the high level of oil consumption with large runs.

In 2009, the range of engines appeared 1.6 VTi (EP6), developed in conjunction with BMW. For the drive of the valve timing, the valve timing chain is used here, which often wears out prematurely.

The good news is that the 1.6 THP is not a bad one.

In later cars you can find a three-cylinder turbo engine 1.2 Purtech, created by the French. His problem is the belt of the valve timing, working in an oil van. If you follow the manufacturer’s optimistic recommendations for replacement, the belt begins to break down, and the wear products clog the oil channels, worsening the engine lubrication. Mechanics advise to reduce the interval of replacement at least to 100-120 thousand km.

Diesel engines

One of the drawbacks of 1. 6 HDi (DV6) is the accumulation of sludge that settles in an oil pallet. It is all in the form of a crankcase that does not allow the oil to be completely drained. Many mechanics recommend periodically removing the pallet to get rid of the sediment. Carbon deposits accumulate in the lubrication system, which leads to premature wear of individual components, for example, the turbocharger (from 40 000 rubles). 8-valve versions, which appeared in 2010, are less prone to this problem. The engine can be recognized by the black mesh tube behind the turbocharger. In general, the “black plague” is characteristic only for cars operated in Europe, where the manufacturer has set an unreasonably high interval for oil change. When changing oil once every 8-10 thousand km, such incidents practically do not occur. In the 16-valve version of the turbodiesel, problems with the nozzle sealing rings are sometimes found. This phenomenon is recognized by the acrid smell in the cabin, which appears after prolonged idling during parking (when the engine compartment is "not ventilated"). The FAP filter has been in use since 2010 and in the case of the weaker versions of the 1.6 HDi since 2012. The exhaust gas cleaning system requires periodic replenishment of a special liquid. And after 150-200 thousand km will need to replace the particulate filter (from 30 000 rubles). If the filter begins to pester earlier, then, most likely, the whole thing is in a faulty differential pressure sensor (from 1,500 rubles for an analog or 6000 rubles for the original). 1.

Transmission

All engines work in tandem with a 5-speed manual transmission. The original clutch of diesel versions (from 6000 rubles per set) has a low margin of safety.

After 150-200 thousand km of run there are cases of wear of bearings of the box. Sometimes the box is cheaper than repair.

Gasoline modifications assembled after 2012 could be combined with a 6-speed robotic box. But such options in our market are exotic.

Typical problems and malfunctions

The body of the Citroen Berlingo is well protected from corrosion.

The suspension components have an acceptable lifespan, which is shortened only by frequent full-load trips.

Sometimes, during the movement, you can hear a disorderly howl. This is a consequence of the surface corrosion of the pulley of the crankshaft. In the rain, water falls on it, the pulley is covered with a red coating, and the belt begins to “squeak”.

There are minor comments on the heating system of diesel versions. Thanks to the electric heater, warm air begins to flow into the cabin quite quickly. However, even at the maximum fan speed, rear passengers feel a lack of heat in their legs. Oddly enough, but in cars with a climate control system the situation is somewhat better.

Sometimes there are failures in the work of the electrician due to moisture in the contact connectors.

Engines

• On the other hand, turbo diesel should be recognized as quite economical: 7 liters in the city and 5.5 liters on the highway.

Petrol engines

• The least problematic are simple 16-valve engines of Peugeot-Citroen's own design - 1. 6 (TU5JP4) with a capacity of 90 and 109 hp.
• His problem is the belt of the valve timing, working in an oil van.
• If you follow the manufacturer’s optimistic recommendations for replacement, the belt begins to break down, and the wear products clog the oil channels, worsening the engine lubrication.

Diesel engines

• Many mechanics recommend periodically removing the pallet to get rid of the sediment.
• Carbon deposits accumulate in the lubrication system, which leads to premature wear of individual components, for example, a turbocharger (from 40 000 rubles).
• The 8-valve versions that appeared in 2010 are less likely to be affected by the problem.
• In the 16-valve version of the turbodiesel, problems with the nozzle sealing rings are sometimes found.
• You will need to replace the particulate filter itself (from 30,000 rubles).
• In general, any of the diesel units at high mileage will require amnesty or repair of fuel injectors, a turbocharger (in more powerful versions with variable geometry), a two-mass flywheel, an EGR valve and a particulate filter.

Transmission

• There are cases of wear of the bearings of the box.
• Sometimes the box is cheaper than repair.

Typical problems and malfunctions

• The body of the Citroen Berlingo is well protected from corrosion.
• This is a consequence of the surface corrosion of the pulley of the crankshaft.

Is the Citroen Berlingo 2 just a bonus or a compromise? Those who love comfort will not mind the typical French lulling chassis. At least until there are rough bumps on the road. But all owners will appreciate the huge internal volume that will satisfy the needs of both a small entrepreneur and a large family. Berlingo can replace a small MPV, and it will be much cheaper. Yes, engines sometimes cause wrinkles on the forehead. But the competitors are far from perfect, and are much more expensive.

• Engines: The engine palette of the Citroen Berlingo is rather boring. Even the most powerful of the 1.6 HDi (120 hp) gives only a sense of sufficiency.
• Transmission: km of run there are cases of wear of bearings of the box.
• Typical problems and malfunctions: The body of the Citroen Berlingo is well protected from corrosion.

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