Jerky ride at low revs on XSi - new Cat / Diesel contamination?

Hi all
several months ago I rather idiotically half-filled my 306XSi with
diesel. OOPS. Ling story, no need to go there, etc. I managed to top up
the tank with petrol & limp home, topping up as I went to keep the
Diesel percentage as low as possible.

Over the last month or two I've noticed the engine being a bit erratic
at low revs. Well ... it's not exaclty the engine, but the ride is
certainly jerky if I take my foot off the accelerator on lower gears.

The car has done 100,000 miles and I'm guessing that a new Catalytic
Converter may be required soon. Might this explain what I'm
experiencing, and might my diesel cock-up have brought on the problem
or made it worse? Is there anything I can do to clean the Cat or
similar?

Thanks for your thoughts

Jon N

 

My 306 1.4 1998 has always been jerky in 1st gear when taking foot off
the pedal.

And I'd be surprised if a faulty catalytic converter (except it being
blocked or dragging on the ground) had any effect on how the car drives.

D

 

Son's XSi has been the same lately. Pug read the fault codes and the
lambda sensor is knackered. Just replaced it today and now need to
reset the ECU to clear the fault codes etc. Could be the same thing as
the deisel would have sooted it up a fair bit I suspect.

cheers,
Len

 

Hi Len

[...]

Thanks for the suggestion. Having done a bit of reading, the DIY
approach to reading the fault codes appeals to me & I'll take this
further.

Cheers
Jon N

 

After replacement of sensor and then disconnecting batery for 10
minutes to clear all the faults in the ECU his car is now running
perfectly! Pug quoted £125 for a new lambda sesnor, Ebay £18 !!

cheers,
Len