XUD9 Coolant Change Shocker !

deere3350 · Post by **deere3350** » 27 Sep 2004, 17:25

Though I drive a 1996 306td I thought this post might be of some interest to Citroen XUD drivers out there, since coolant changes seem to have been discussed on this board regularly in the past.
Phoned up a franchised dealer today for a quote to change the coolant on my 1996 306td. The coolant has been changed at least every two years since new. The car has covered 186,000 miles and has never had the head gasket or heater matrix touched (Luck maybe ?).
The dealer advised that since the coolant is only two years old, I shouldn’t worry about changing it. They said that the only time they would change it would be if it was dirty or if it had been topped up with water and was under strength !
When I pointed out that I thought that a change was necessary in order to keep the corrosion inhibitor up to strength, they said that “it aint going to go anywhere” !!!
He did say that he would change the coolant if I was concerned, but that it would be a waste of money. I’ve never heard of a franchised dealer turning away business before !
For the record, I’m getting the coolant changed anyway (at a different dealer), but I’d be interested to hear comments on this one !

tomsheppard · Post by **tomsheppard** » 27 Sep 2004, 17:48

How can the dealer sell you a new one if he prevents your old one from breaking?

rg · Post by rg » 27 Sep 2004, 17:50

The dealer needs to change a matrix single-handed, involving removal of the dash, etc, etc.
He may then change his mind about neglecting coolant changes.

)
rg

paranoid · Post by **paranoid** » 27 Sep 2004, 19:20

Whats the classic haynes quote, " should be left to a qualified citroen dealer " or something like that PHOOOEY[:(!]

P 2501 · Post by **P 2501** » 27 Sep 2004, 20:37

Just out of interest deere3350, how many radiators have you got through in all those miles?
Original hgasket and matrix after 186,000 - just goes to show how important regular coolant changes are.

Stuart McB · Post by **Stuart McB** » 27 Sep 2004, 23:50

How much you paying?

deere3350 · Post by **deere3350** » 28 Sep 2004, 00:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by P 2501

Just out of interest deere3350, how many radiators have you got through in all those miles?
Original hgasket and matrix after 186,000 - just goes to show how important regular coolant changes are.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I'm on my 3rd radiator at the moment. However, the original radiator was changed when the car was 18 months old, as the dealer burst it while changing the starter! The replacement radiator that they fitted (Made by Ordonez - is that a cheapy ?) lasted 4.5 years. The current Valeo radiator is now two years old and looks like new, so here's hoping that it'll last me another couple of years.

deere3350 · Post by **deere3350** » 28 Sep 2004, 00:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stuart McB

How much you paying?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
£19.99. Maybe a bit steep for a coolant change but I've not got a home made header tank to attempt the task myself.

john alexander · Post by **john alexander** » 28 Sep 2004, 03:45

buy a big bottle of robinsons diluting juice , the large round one ,cut the bottom off then cut the top just bellow the threads.you now have an air tight header tank.ps drink the juice before cutting the bottom off

johntaylor · Post by **johntaylor** » 28 Sep 2004, 04:29

If you purchase a good quality branded anti freeze and have it checked yearly for viscosity it should not need to be changed as so often.
Perhaps this is a case of checking Citroens recommendation????
Dont have a clue what that should be....I should check it out myself!

Stuart McB · Post by **Stuart McB** » 29 Sep 2004, 00:14

All in if you aint got the time to do the job your self or don't have enough confidence then £19.99 seems cheap to me. If I was up for a coolant change I'd go for it as well.