Quuoorrrr Plugs... (Core)

[citroenxm]

Hi all..

Had a NEW one on me today on a Xantia HDi 110.. Customer informed me of water loss on the drivers side of the engine.. So, today we started the car, and while he was filling it, it was comming out as quick as it went in...

A pipe I thought, so put the car on high, removed he drivers wheel and looked a bit closer. Started the engine again, and sure enough it was comming out like a jet!!!



Anyone want to take a guess??

Yup, the core plug in the head right next to the exhaust manifold has externally corroded and given way...

So, the next Q, is what sort of a SOD are core plugs to use?? Are they a dealer part?

Cheers

PS: The argument about cars from the coast being rotters, its absolute B U L L C R A P!!

This car is a midlands car, Milton Keynes to be preceise, and has also suffered a rotton Electro valve not so long ago. Ive never seen a HDi core plug go, and seen some high milers too, my own an example...

[RichardW]

An odd one indeed Paul!

Never had to fit one - in theory it's easy - chisel the old one out, then drift in the new one square - probably needs a smear of sealant. The difficulty will be access, and that one looks particularly tricky in that respect. Might be exhaust manifold off, but might need the head off to get at it service.citroen lists it as 25mm, and only costs £1.08 - if you can buy just one! There are some on the 'bay, about the same price. Best of luck with it!

[Rhothgar]

You should be able to get a set of core plugs from any good auto factors. You may find someone who sells individually. You can prob get size from service Citroen. Unusual for them to rot through.

[citroenxm]

Hi Richard.

Just looked at that picture again, and manifold does obscure the corner of the plug.. and IIRC its an ARSE to remove the exhaust manifold on the HDi, before now Ive had to remove heads WITH the exhaust manifolds attached as the bolts in the middle are impossible to remove...

Im not sure what Im gonna do yet!

I did hint at head off to the owner this morning..


Cheers Roger..

@ Roger: Tell me about it.. The Xantia with 286k had no core plug issues, nor has my own at 247k..

[citronut]

depends how much the customer can spend having it fixed, if tight for cash you might be able to clean it up and fill the recces with Quick steel

http://www.motorshop1.co.uk/quiksteel.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[citroenxm]

Well malc quick steel was actually TOP of my list ... c ustomer prefered a plug but looking at it being obscured by the manifold i dont think it will be an easy task...

Will quick steel stick to the smooth surface of the plug is my concern.. but thinking that it would be worked into the hole so that should do it..

It really IS amazing stuff...

[addo]

It'll work, but realistically the plugs will probably all be on the way out.

[citronut]

It'll work, but realistically the plugs will probably all be on the way out.

looking at the picy i think the rust has come through the center of the plug from inside out, and only eaten the center, so i would think Quick steel should hold for quite some time,

what you got to loose if it fails then look into replacing the plug

[sandybx]

Dear Citroenxm,
Looking at your photo,s I would say that ( if that is leaking coolant, is level with the head gasket ) which is where it looks to me to be leaking. I think you most probably find that that needs a new head fitting.
Vince,

[citroenxm]

Hi everyone..

Just to clearly clarify the leak.. i looked at this with the engine running and it was most deafinatley comming out of the SIDE edge furthest away from the exhaust and was deafenatly the core plug that has its edge slightly obscured by the manifold.

It was NOT the gasket.. and was not the centre of the plug.. the side of the plug it is.

I think its going to be a quick steel job on this...

[carpysmith]

Hi All!
Had a core plug go on my hdi Xantia a little while ago, think it may be the same one coz i was originally quoted silly money to do the job (exhaust manifold etc off).
garage managed to do it without removing too much in the end and got the price right down!!
Did have to buy a pack of 5 core plugs from main stealer though! but they cost less than a tenner if i recall!
Regards
Steve (aka carpysmith)
1999 Xantia 2.0hdi sx (estate)