Xsara MK II intermittent spicy aroma

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
Gingerposer
Posts: 244
Joined: 04 Oct 2009, 21:28
Location: Balmedie, Aberdeenshire
My Cars:
x 6

Xsara MK II intermittent spicy aroma

Post by Gingerposer »

Not related to occasionally passing curry shops either :rofl2:

I have been getting strong whiffs of a curry type smell, these only occur when I adjust the temperature dial and fade very quickly afterwards. First signs of heater matrix leaks, or symptoms of something else? Car does slowly use coolant, haven't found any wetness inside the cabin yet.
Suggestions (not involving avoiding curry shops or carrying Naan breads) please?



Cheers

Ainslie
Current: Other non-specified Japanese vehicle
Previous French cars:
Xsara 2.0 SX (sold)
Xantia 1.8 Forte (still going strong)
ZX 1.9TD (deceased)
Pug 406 TD (unknown)
Online
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Xsara MK II intermittent spicy aroma

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

From what I have read on the forum an unexpected curry smell does indicate the heater matrix has started to leak. Now what you need is somebody who knows how to replace the matrix on your Xsara.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
RichardW
Forum Treasurer
Posts: 10813
Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: MK2 '17 C4GP 1.6 BlueHDi 120
'13 3008 1.6 HDi GripControl
x 984

Re: Xsara MK II intermittent spicy aroma

Post by RichardW »

Almost certainly the matrix. Chuck a bottle of Forte radiator sealer (and nothing else!) in the coolant header tank and forget about it.
Richard W
isisalar
Posts: 662
Joined: 27 Apr 2008, 14:16
Location: london UK
My Cars:
x 3

Re: Xsara MK II intermittent spicy aroma

Post by isisalar »

Richard is right in saying that Forte is the accepted best option for this. I used it on my old 1.9d, it did cure the leak but the matrix did clog after a couple of years and the heater stopped working. There's a new product on the market which I've posted on called CT1 miracle seal which seems very promising. Check out the post. Guinea pigs required.
Cheers
Paul
J reg 1.9d auto BX first Citroen
M reg 1.9d auto Xantia lx
N reg 1.9 td Xantia VSX Estate
T reg 2.0HDI Xantia Exclusive Estate Present car
M reg 106 diesel red
L reg 106 diesel white
02 Saxo 1.1i desire wife's present car(sadly now very ill cambelt gone- Doh)
User avatar
Gingerposer
Posts: 244
Joined: 04 Oct 2009, 21:28
Location: Balmedie, Aberdeenshire
My Cars:
x 6

Re: Xsara MK II intermittent spicy aroma

Post by Gingerposer »

Paul, I did have a gander at that stuff but didn't find any links to stockists in Aberdeen area - unless you have an idea where I could get it online? I'll happily guinea pig this one for the team!
Current: Other non-specified Japanese vehicle
Previous French cars:
Xsara 2.0 SX (sold)
Xantia 1.8 Forte (still going strong)
ZX 1.9TD (deceased)
Pug 406 TD (unknown)
isisalar
Posts: 662
Joined: 27 Apr 2008, 14:16
Location: london UK
My Cars:
x 3

Re: Xsara MK II intermittent spicy aroma

Post by isisalar »

If you click on this link :- http://www.ct1ltd.com/en/miracle-seal.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There's a telephone Symbol at the top, says local distributors, click on that. There's a distributor for Scotland in Clydebank, I spotted a QVC video on U tube, so I suppose they must sell it too.
Great to have a guinea pig, it'll save a lot of cars from the scrapper if it works as it says. Dash out job at £70 hr is a definite write off for most people.
Best of luck with it.
Cheers
Paul
J reg 1.9d auto BX first Citroen
M reg 1.9d auto Xantia lx
N reg 1.9 td Xantia VSX Estate
T reg 2.0HDI Xantia Exclusive Estate Present car
M reg 106 diesel red
L reg 106 diesel white
02 Saxo 1.1i desire wife's present car(sadly now very ill cambelt gone- Doh)
handyman
Posts: 1107
Joined: 20 May 2003, 18:38
Location: In the clouds in the Land of South Saxons
My Cars:
x 2

Re: Xsara MK II intermittent spicy aroma

Post by handyman »

Curry smell, damp patch in passenger footwell. Heater matrix is leaking. Two ways of dealing with this. First, tip a bottle of K-Seal into radiator & hope leak goes away, usually does. Second, rip out dash & replace heater matrix.

On Xantias & ZXs, Citroen allowed 12 hours. Fastest I've ever fitted one was 4 hours on a ZX, usually six on a Xantia. Did here of a meck-a-nic doing it in 2-3 hours but he had very skinny fingers & modified (bodged) the heater box. :rofl2:

Internet reviews on this CT1 Miracle stuff are quite varied. I'm always wary of something that has 'miracle' in its branding. I'll have a word with my local plumbers merchants, they'll know if its sh!t or not. Pricing seems to be dearer than K-Seal for something that does the same job.

Alternatively, pour some sodium borate & an uncooked egg white into the system. That'll stop the leaks! :shock:

H
Post Reply