Citroen with Failing Piston Rings and High Oil Consumption

[Eliska]

I assume it was not a Citroen dealer but an indi-seller ?

It was a Citroen dealer

[Eliska]

Even with a 5 year period to cover this, that doesn't help low mileage owners like me with 24K in just over 4 years...

Does the warrantee vary throughout dealerships? Mine was only 2 years

[Przybyla7]

We had similar consumption with 1.2 Puretech C3 2017. I tested the compression when doing the spark plugs (kit was not expensive) and scores were good enough to rule out rings. Smoke was only seen on starting from cold, so next suspect was the valve stem seals which I have just changed. The old ones were clearly shot. You could see the holes were larger than the valve stems. Process was fairly complex-allow a whole day for DIY, and I will be posting separately my tips. Anyway, this has solved the oil consumption/blue smoke so worth pursuing as not as much work as rings. I had to start over when the chain fell off the oil pump, and got it down to 4 hours which I reckon means a pro could do it is three. Different engine, but the wet belt is involved so that may be the common factor.

[GiveMeABreak]

Even with a 5 year period to cover this, that doesn't help low mileage owners like me with 24K in just over 4 years...

Does the warrantee vary throughout dealerships? Mine was only 2 years

Hi. On new PSA passenger vehicles, there is a 3 year warranty. 2 years from the manufacturer and 1 year from the dealer.

[Eliska]

We had similar consumption with 1.2 Puretech C3 2017. I tested the compression when doing the spark plugs (kit was not expensive) and scores were good enough to rule out rings. Smoke was only seen on starting from cold, so next suspect was the valve stem seals which I have just changed. The old ones were clearly shot. You could see the holes were larger than the valve stems. Process was fairly complex-allow a whole day for DIY, and I will be posting separately my tips. Anyway, this has solved the oil consumption/blue smoke so worth pursuing as not as much work as rings. I had to start over when the chain fell off the oil pump, and got it down to 4 hours which I reckon means a pro could do it is three. Different engine, but the wet belt is involved so that may be the common factor.

Thank you

[ekjdm14]

Just a note on compression tests, simply because compression is good/in spec doesn't necessarily mean the rings are good. Case in point is our lad's 140cc dirt bike which I've just completed a hone & re-ring on. Compression was excellent as was leakdown yet it smoked like a freight train and fouled plugs at a scary rate.

Definitely worth at least checking though if it's only smoking from a start, or on deceleration (rings/bores tend to smoke all the time, and particularly badly under load/when hot). With that level of consumption I can't imagine you're not seeing visible smoke. Another possibility is a PCV issue but you'd likely see evidence in the intake with that.

[xantia_v6]

Skimming a few internet postings, it seems to be a plausible theory that on wet belt engines, particles of rubber from deteriorating belts get caught in the oil control ring grooves in the piston, preventing the rings from working. If true, the only fix would be ring replacement.

[Przybyla7]

Good point that compression tests aren't everything, but changing the valve stem seals has definitely solved the oil consumption issue. I was using 1-2 litres a week, and so far no change at all to the cold level. Other thing I checked was the crankcase breather. I bought an oil recovery kit from well know online retailer for about £15 and it was pretty easy to fit, but after a month it was dry. I would recommend anyone struggling with oil consumption on a Puretech wet belt engine give some thought to changing the seals. Well, actually I would give some thought to changing car, but now we have a new oil resistant belt and new valve seals, ours is running like new.

[GiveMeABreak]

I would recommend anyone struggling with oil consumption on a Puretech wet belt engine give some thought to changing the seals. Well, actually I would give some thought to changing car,.....

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