Problem with a recently purchased used Citroen C4

m_att_h

Hi all,

I purchased a Citroen C4 (year 2005) at a small garage last Tuesday (24/02/15). Before I bought it, we agreed that the garage will do the timing belt and change the water pomp which was done.

Last weekend while looking at the coolant level, I realized that there is oil in the coolant.
Here are a few pictures of what I can see

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/9388/opHuzt.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/1444/uWXFkL.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/6672/BYAvlg.jpg
[url]Http://imageshack.com/a/img537/834/YwYzVY.jpg[/url]

There is no coolant in the oil.
Today I went to see another mechanic that indicated to me that it is likely to be oil which could indicate a head gasket failure.
I then brought the car back to the garage where I bought it but the owner keeps on saying to me that he doesn't see any problem with the car as the car is not overheating. I got a 3 months warranty with the car for engine and gearbox.

At this stage I don't know what to do if the garage refuses to acknowledge the issue. Unfortunately the garage is not member of SIMI, what are my options at this stage?

Thanks.
Matthieu

dudara

Moved to Motors

dudara

colm_mcm

You need to upload those pics on imageshack or similar.

Don't put any importance in simi membership. Its only a motor trade lobby group.

Get a definite diagnosis. If the other mechanic can't say for certain that its oil, then, you're wasting your time.

mickdw

Forget simi, they are there to support the dealer so no loss there.
I Would take it to citroen, get it diagnosed and get a written report.
If the main dealer reports that head gasket is failing seek repair or refund through solicitor.

The grim

hi sorry to hear your misfortune but it may not be that bad , get someone to check or check yourself if there is water in the oil ? it may just be a oil cooler !! but check below first !! all when cold as if its pressuring then the expansion bottle could pour boiling water in ur face .....it may also show signs of overflow from the cap
1. car should b down on power
2. oil in water or water in the oil
3. bubbles in the expansion bottle
if there is no bubbles as and its not slow to stART then it maybe just a oil cooler ! strange how the garage can't see d problem if its a head gasket it should b easy to spot
hope this helps you

m_att_h

Thanks a lot for your messages.

I uploaded the pictures on imageshack as well (remove the space between 'h' and 'ttp':

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/9388/opHuzt.jpg
[url]Http://imageshack.com/a/img673/1444/uWXFkL.jpg[/url]
[url]Http://imageshack.com/a/img673/6672/BYAvlg.jpg[/url]
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/834/YwYzVY.jpg

@The grim: thanks for your post. There is no coolant in the oil. I red a leak in the oil cooler could be causing this as the oil pressure is higher than the coolant pressure in the oil cooler (which is not the case in other parts of the engine if I understand well).

I will bring it to a Citroen garage and get a proper diagnostic I think it sounds like the best thing to do.

GTDolanator

I had this issue before on a diesel berlingo.The oil cooler is a plate behind the oil filter and the water circulates through the plate when they go they leak oil into coolant.was a fairly straight forward fix but cleaning out the cooling system was a pain in the hole!!!