So my car needs a new engine..

sc86 wrote: »

bump ?

'No news is good news' I suppose. I've gone over the 300k mark on it and the wheels haven't fallen off, or the engine collapsed out onto the ground, so that's all good.


It's gotten (another!) oil top up though. I think it's swallowed a few litres of Oil now at this stage, from top ups, so that's a concern. I've been working pretty solid lately, so havent gotten out to the lads (was supposed to go out for an 8 week health check, but never did, so i'll try get around to it this week, which will make it a 10 week health check I suppose, but much of a muchness).


Car has been getting a bit of driving done, but not as hefty as normal, and it'll have a quiet 6 weeks ahead of it. So once i get it out to them again, hopefully any issues that have arisen (if any) will be sorted.



Electronically it still hasn't given any issues, and it still starts first time with ease. A few bulbs need replacing, though.


Clutch is fine, too.



Biggest issue with it now is that the tracking needs doing and one of the tyres is on it's way to looking like an F1 tyre, but I'm working tomorrow, and then after that it can get a rest: I'll bring it to get a check-over with mechanic, get the bulbs, tyres, tracking, etc. done, bring it out to dalys for the health check and give it a wash. So in the next two weeks it should be back to good as new.


(either that or, knowing my luck, I'll get some devastating news from someone who looks at it..!).


But at the moment I'm a happy camper and back to feeling like I can trust it to bring me around the country all day without much worry or stress. I'm comfortable with it again.

So I was in with Daly's again today.

My current Mileage is approx 307k km. I did a bit of driving this week and I noticed the car was losing power a lot and had no 'oomph' at all after 50kp/h. I mentioned this to Daly's when with them today.

So he took the car for a little while and came back to me. Told me there is indeed an oil leak, and it'll be sorted under warranty.

He also told me there are 3 other things to be aware of. First is a leak in the exhaust. Second is a 'solenoid switch' (I think he called it) that's going to the Turbo. He said that needs replacing, and is the reason why I've not much power in the car (although he did say the turbo itself is fine). Thirdly, he reckons the Starter could do with being changed. He said it's working, but sounds a bit rough and like it will let me down sooner than later (I've never had any issue starting the car, though).

I also have a few other issues with the car that need looking at. Issues that have been there for a while, not really related to the engine itself. So I reckon my list of problems is..

(from Daly's today)
(Oil leak isn't included, as it's a warranty job and won't cost anything).

1. Starter change.
2. Solenoid Switch (approx €60 I'm told).
3. Exhaust leak.
(Other Miscellanrous issues)
4. Horn doesn't work (not an innuendo).
5. Something banging about at the rear passenger wheel. Had shocks changed recently so it's something else. Could be a ball joint or such?
6. Rear Passenger wheel hub has only 4 (of 5) wheel bolts. Treads are wrecked on the hub so can't fit a 5th nut, so need a replacement hub (scrap yard job).
7. Centre/Auxiliary brake light is dead. Citroen dealer quoted €150 to sort.
8. Pipe/tube (or whatever it's called) for rear window washer is broke where the boot door opens. Presumably a cheap fix.


I reckon I'd easily spend €1,000 to get all the above fixed. At which point the car is back to 'as new' condition, effectively. However, I wonder then will something else pop up and break my heart (my concern is a turbo issue, I believe they're the same kinda money as a new engine?!)


Or, I can go car shopping. Issue there is that the car I currently have can't be traded in as it's worth nothing, and would only get me a decent return as part of a scrappage offer (but I'd have to be buying a new car, which I can't afford, or justify, with my mileage).

(I realise I can indeed trade it in against something else, but what i mean is, I wouldn't get any more for that car, than I would if i just haggled, as I can't imagine anyone would want the hassle of a 10 year old 300+km estate with a rake of issues).


Which puts me into the market of a car that's no more expensive than about 10k at a push. The C5 would be better off in the garage as a back up car incase it was ever needed, rather than as a trade in/private sale.


But buying a car can be an issue, as I love having space. And you'd be hard pressed to get any kind of decent SUV or Estate for that budget, that wasn't also falling apart.


Ah.. decisions, decisions. I still like the C5 but I'm not as confident about it anymore.

Augeo wrote: »

If you are doing lots of miles and are self employed surely a company car or van would make sense. It's like the cycle to work scheme except you get tax relief on the vehicle and not a bike.

If you are doing loads of business miles (genuine) than BIK is not a huge issue.

Your c5 won't be getting any cheaper to maintain as the mileage increases.

That oil usage, though manageable was indicative of a a problem so good to hear they've found something amiss.

I don't know a whole lot about the world of taxation, but my accountant reckons i am writing the car off as an expense. Capital something or other tax. A percentage of the car can be written off each year as it's primary/sole use is work related.


I wouldn't bother buying a commercial because i'd be back to starting from scratch with the insurance companies (and back to the start again if i ever switch back privately) and I'd be practically locked into a diesel. And I will never own another diesel.


Besides, more importantly, no point in me rocking up to Renault and asking for the keys of a Commercial Kadjar if I haven't got the 30k they'd want for it. So although it'd make sense if i had a few more euro coming in or in the bank to kick start it, it's not something I can realistically look at at the moment.