Citroen advice

[Captain Jack]

Hello folks,

My mum's '98 1.9L Diesel Renault Clio has seen better days and, while getting her wheel bearing changed, she came across a Citroen for £4000. Unfortunately, I have no idea (and neither does she... or my dad) what model or year it is. However, we do know that it has a 2.0 L HDi engine, which has been rebuilt as it suffered flood damage. Con-rods, pistons and valves have all been replaced, so it should be as good as new. I also know that it has alloy wheels and "low profile" tyres, which makes me think that it's some C4 VTR type model. It has done 50,000 miles.

The garage that the car is sold by is very good and is where I had pretty much all of my own car work done without any problems. It's one of those old school type garages, who specialise in French cars. I have total faith in that they did rebuilt the engine to a good standard.

Other than the obvious electrical gremlins, is there anything to look out for on this car? It has 16 valves (if it's a new enough car) so I guess it makes it a different engine from mine in the 406, which only has 8. But I heard some stories about seized injectors, which means a head replacement. Do these have the dreaded FAPs? DMFs? Anything else?

[steve_earwig]

Errrrr I thought all tyres were low profile now, unless you mean low low like 45 which might shake the fillings out of your mum's head.

If it's 16 a valve HDi then I reckon it's fairly certain it'll have FAP, DMF and could give you a PITA. Won't know for sure until you know what it is (chassis number would be best)

You will, of course, be getting details on the work done...

[waue1978]

Pretty much every PSA diesel after 2004 (with the exception of the Peugeot X-Lines) has the dreaded FAP & DMF. Not heard a massive amount of DMF horror stories outside of Mondeos to be honest though.

[Captain Jack]

What's a Peugeot X-Line?

I am not 100% sure what HDi engine it has - just assumed it was a 16 valve one.

Will try and find out more.

[Doggy]

It's my understanding that from 2004 all diesel cars had to be euro-4 compliant, (= dpf). For trucks, it was some years earlier. PSA just decided to curse some of their owners from 2000 unecessarily, (much like Poxhall with cats from 1989 - 1991).

Having said that, it seems you can delete it painlessly from just about any Citreon with a Bosch EDC15/16/17, Semens SID or Delphi DCM3x ecu.......

[Captain Jack]

I'll send you the ECU file, doggy Will have fun bashing out the DPF....

[Doggy]

That's the spirit! Mind you, it could be considered odd behaviour on a test drive.

[Welly]

That would be funny........

Can I just........

Smash, smash, bang bang bang........

Just a minute.....

Smash smash smash.....

Won't be long......

bang bang.....



Capt'n, it would be worth checking (HPi check or similar) that the car isn't on a CAT C for being written off in a flood.

Whilst there's no problem if its been repaired nicely it does devalue the car.

Generally you're not going to have many problems with a newish motor like that but it is not really a good idea to use a modern diesel solely around town, shopping, door-to-door etc (if that's the case?) as all the emissions gubbins will go into over-drive. I think you're best with a small petrol in the long term if you do sub-8000 miles per year.

[Captain Jack]

My mum potters around Somerset so it's not just town driving.

It was definitely written off due to flood but not sure what category. I guess £4k for a 50,000 miler is a good price either way.

[Welly]

I'd want to know if water got in the cabin - we all know what happens when multi-pin connectors get wet. Water may have entered the gearbox/clutch too.

I don't think I'd buy a car that's been for a dip unless I knew exactly what happened.

[Captain Jack]

My dad is going there later today to check the inside. He's an ex-mechanic so he should know what to look for.... Although, he's more of an old school mechanic - before cars were computers on wheels.

[benczuk]

Does being a cat c make it harder to insure? I'm pretty certain I saw a question like that last time I went through the comparison sites.

[FarmerPug]

also if the damp musty smell has got in the interior will really need stripped out

[Captain Jack]

Apparently, it's C4 VTS 1.6 HDi (not a 2L as originally thought), reg KW54VOK.

[Welly]

I understood the 1.6 is a fussy beast, I think it runs fairly high Boost Pressure and there's been some turbo failures.

The 2.0 HDi is pretty lazy and long-living.