C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

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Charliedog7
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C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Charliedog7 »

Hi, Pl ease forgive me if I am on the wrong forum page. I am new and not sure how to use the site yet.

I am thinking of buying a C5 1.6Hdi 2005 VTR. The MOT was done very recently and although it passed there is an advisory. Although I have limited general maintenance and repair skills I have no experience with the C5 and in particular the suspension. The advisory states "Shock absorbers light misting of oil OR has limited damping effect all four limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b)" I really don't know what this means??. Should I steer clear? Is it expensive to repair?
Any help would be appreciated
Thank you
Charliedog7
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Peter.N. »

The main concern on these cars is the engine, they perform very well and are economical but they do suffer from oil sludge blocking the turbo feed and consequent turbo failure. Providing the engine has been regularly maintained and there is no sludge visible in the system it should be OK but change the oil as soon as you get it and then about twice as often as recommended. If it comes with an engine guarantee that helps. Otherwise a nice car but the 2.0 Hdi engines are less problematic.

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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Paul-R »

If the car has conventional suspension with coil springs then it could mean that the dampers (shock absorbers) are starting to fail. It's highly unlikely that all four would go at once so I would ignore the advisory and, if troubled by the misting, just give them a wipe over with a rag. And again next year before the MOT. Only change them if they fail completely.

It's more likely that this would happen to a car with hydropneumatic suspension though as these are prone to light misting as part of the way they work. Unless the oil is quite thick, the advice is the same - give it a wipe with a rag. Again, only change if necessary.
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by GiveMeABreak »

No conventional springs on pre 2008 models Paul, assuming the OP is referring to the same car in the topic title.
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Charliedog7 wrote: 16 Jul 2018, 09:35 Hi, Pl ease forgive me if I am on the wrong forum page. I am new and not sure how to use the site yet.

I am thinking of buying a C5 1.6Hdi 2005 VTR. The MOT was done very recently and although it passed there is an advisory. Although I have limited general maintenance and repair skills I have no experience with the C5 and in particular the suspension. The advisory states "Shock absorbers light misting of oil OR has limited damping effect all four limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b)" I really don't know what this means??. Should I steer clear? Is it expensive to repair?
Any help would be appreciated
Thank you
Charliedog7
There can be a light misting of oil around the top of the strut. There is a return pipe that returns any excess oil back to the LDS tank and the pipe can split over time. The boot may also need tightening up or replacing. On the MK I and II there are some replaceable seals and o rings in the struts themselves, but this necessitates the strut taking off to service. There are some MOTs stricter than others, so important to find one who understands Citroen’s and that it is common for a little misting that is not necessarily a leak in the system as per the usual definition.

The newer MOTs from May 2018 are far stricter,so they may be defining anything that looks like a leak as a leak and failing it - we have already had a member here who had the same as you are describing it sounds like - and we encouraged him to challenge the decision, where the fail was overturned before it went any further.
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Charliedog7 »

Thank you all for your comments and advice. I will do a full service as soon as I get the car. Especially the oil. Anyone know a good citroen C5 experienced mechanic in the Waterlooville area who may be able to give it the once over. Any other suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks

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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Charliedog7 »

Does anyone know what make of engine is in this car. Is it a Ford?? or a French designed and made engine. Am I on the right forum for my original question. Thank you to anyone who can help.
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I think you may have made an error in the title Charlie (?) - There is no 1.8 HDi, so will be wither a 1.6 or 2.0 HDi.

The 1.6 will be a variation of the DV6VTED4 engine (with or without the Diesel Particulate Filter) and is shared with Ford, Volvo, Mini. Available in a 90 or 110 version. Be wary of getting one of these without a good service history - as this engine can suffer carbon damage leading to turbo failures on both the 90 and 110 version.

An article here:
http://www.theturboguy.com/uploads/1/0/ ... es-3-2.pdf
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Charliedog7 »

Marc, Thanks for the info. Sorry you are right the car is a C5 2.0 Hdi VTR 2005. Does this car have a DPF and if it has can it be cleaned? A message comes up saying power steering fault and low LD. fluid whatever that is. Believe it may be power steering/suspension fluid? any help would be appreciated.
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

That would imply you are low on LDS fluid (which is used by the suspension and steering systems). Lower the suspension to its' lowest setting, turn off the engine, and open the bonnet. You may need to take off the cover on the left side of the engine bay (looking in the bay from the front). There is a cap (which has a symbol that looks like s steering wheel) that is for the LDS reservoir. Unscrew this cap, and you will see there is a grating inside, with a few vertical slots. If you look in the following thread (fourth post) you will see what I mean;

viewtopic.php?t=54877

The LDS is meant to be between the upper and lower slots. If it is below the lower slots it means there is insufficient LDS fluid in the system.
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Charliedog7 wrote: 29 Jul 2018, 20:02 Marc, Thanks for the info. Sorry you are right the car is a C5 2.0 Hdi VTR 2005. Does this car have a DPF and if it has can it be cleaned? A message comes up saying power steering fault and low LD. fluid whatever that is. Believe it may be power steering/suspension fluid? any help would be appreciated.
Bob
Bob, I’ll need your VIN code to let you know exactly which engine variant you have and whether it has a DPF or not.

Check to see if you have any obvious fluid leaks around the struts, or under the car. Remember you needs LDS which is an orangey red colour and not the older green LHM fluid.

Only top it up between the bottom 2 marks, whilst on the Lowest suspension setting.
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Charliedog7 »

Marc, You have been a great help. I will check the struts and give you the VIN details tomorrow if I may. Where can I get LDS and is it expensive. Sorry I have mechanical experience but this car is new to me. Is the engine similar to the Peugeot 406Hdi 2.0 Highline 2003.
Thank you again Marc.
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Again Bob, I can let you know exactly the engine you have once you get me the VIN. The engines are shared across PSA vehicles, but there are variants.

You can get LDS from a variety of places, it is not cheap, but is essential for the power steering and suspension systems of the Citroen C5 and C6.

You can google for suppliers, but do shop around. Total make the original fluid, but is now made by other oils producers too, including Comma and Mannol. It is sold in 1 lt containers and the current price is about £13.50 per litre.
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Charliedog7 »

Cheers for the info Marc. Will be in touch

Bob
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Re: C5 2.0 HDi 138 2005 VTR MOT

Post by Charliedog7 »

Marc, The VIN Number is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff].

Bob
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