Oil leakage almost everywhere

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.
azalen99
Posts: 20
Joined: 20 Aug 2024, 21:18
x 1

Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by azalen99 »

So i recently bought a used Citroen C3 1.2 puretech Petrol 110 HS (2017) 120000 km mileage car from a used car dealership. The car is running great and smooth and shows no warning lights whatsoever, ive driven it maybe for 300 km . At the time i didnt know anything about cars and when going to look at the car before buying upon opening the bonnet the engine looked like it had oil on it, like there was oil rubbed on almost every part of the engine and the surrounding pipes, i thought this was normal for a used car that has some mileage... A few days later when i bought the car upon opening the bonnet the engine looked clean, as if it was washed with a hose, i mean really clean almost like it was a new car, at the time i found it strange but didnt press into it and booked it at a service shop that told me they had a lot of customers booked presently and told me to come a month later.
I got the car on 16 august and went for servicing yesterday, that is on the 27 september.
At the service shop that is Citroen licensed after opening the bonnet they told me the car has a massive oil leakage that wetted the decorative engine cloth on top of the engine and theres also oil in the coolant-antifreeze tank (the coolant liquid looked brownish-red, copper coloured) and the leakage extends to the oil cooler as well. Their first hunch was that the engine is done as in theres probably a crack in the block or engine head and a new engine will probably be needed and that i should maybe complain to the car dealer for either returning the car to him or for some kind of monetary compensation.

But its been a month and a half since then and i dont know how cooperative the used car dealer will be...
Meanwhile the mechanics at the service shop told me they will run a process of elimination of the issue and they would like to start by replacing the oil cooler and flushing the antifreeze and oil cooler and putting in new antifreeze. After that i should drive the car for around 10 days and see whether the oil leak in the antifreeze returns. If it shows up again we would repeat the process and if it happens for a third time then they suggest opening up the engine and replacing the head gasket, though they say they cant guarantee if its the head gasket, maybe its the block or engine head....
Whats your thoughts on this??
Has the dealer tricked me? He must have known about the leakage, why would he wash the engine when i came to sign the papers otherwise.. the car itself wasnt washed...
azalen99
Posts: 20
Joined: 20 Aug 2024, 21:18
x 1

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by azalen99 »

Forgot to add, there was no water leakage into the oil itself. the oil tank was fine.
azalen99
Posts: 20
Joined: 20 Aug 2024, 21:18
x 1

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by azalen99 »

I see here on the used car shop webpage it says he offers options for a guarantee and yet he never mentioned me this when i bought the car...
It literally says and i quote ''We offer adjustable guarantee plans to additionally protect your investment''
RichardW
Forum Treasurer
Posts: 12439
Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
x 1431

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by RichardW »

Unfortunately these engines have a poor reputation. In the UK you would be covered under Consumer Rights, you'll need to find out of there is similar in your country.
Richard W
azalen99
Posts: 20
Joined: 20 Aug 2024, 21:18
x 1

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by azalen99 »

RichardW wrote: 29 Sep 2024, 08:39 Unfortunately these engines have a poor reputation. In the UK you would be covered under Consumer Rights, you'll need to find out of there is similar in your country.
There is a law for the protection of consumers, yes, but i worry about the time passed and whether it will apply.
I payed the money through the bank on 1 of august, signed the papers with the notary on the 5 of august and only gotten the car on the 16 august cause we were on holiday.
Since then like i said above the car has been booked for a service on the 27 September.
azalen99
Posts: 20
Joined: 20 Aug 2024, 21:18
x 1

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by azalen99 »

Update on this issue:
Brought the car back to the dealer and he claims everything is fine, apparently the service shop was trying to swindle me and part me with my money. However im currently seeking a third opinion from a couple of local private mechanics.

Only the oil cooler was changed at the service shop and i intentionally left the original anti-freeze so it can be better inspected.
By the way what is the original coolant for the Citroen C3 2016+ petrol and what kind of colour is it?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 41989
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
x 6955

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Ignore the colours - these are no guide and can vary. Citroen use Freecor in all the models at the present time.
Please note, I'm no longer active on the Forum, so won't respond to messages.

Marc
azalen99
Posts: 20
Joined: 20 Aug 2024, 21:18
x 1

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by azalen99 »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 03 Oct 2024, 10:14 Ignore the colours - these are no guide and can vary. Citroen use Freecor in all the models at the present time.
Then what kind of color is the oil? Total 5w30 i believe is what this engine uses? black? caramel?
If oil seeps into the coolant it would be sticky right and smelly? Yet the antifreeze is not sticky, nor smelly. It looks like its diluted with water instead, Like there's 50/50 mix with water and coolant...
azalen99
Posts: 20
Joined: 20 Aug 2024, 21:18
x 1

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by azalen99 »

Btw in all these last few days i havent seen a single drop of oil on the engine or falling under the car, true the engine has some soot but thats minor..
However the decorative engine cloth cover on top was absolutely seeped with oil, i tried to clean it with water and detergent but it doesnt seem to wash that easily...
azalen99
Posts: 20
Joined: 20 Aug 2024, 21:18
x 1

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by azalen99 »

Update:
A local mechanic came to my garage and inspected the car and he found oil caked on the radiator. He is 80% sure its the turbine. Im going to bring the car to him Monday so he can better inspect it.
azalen99
Posts: 20
Joined: 20 Aug 2024, 21:18
x 1

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by azalen99 »

GiveMeABreak wrote: 03 Oct 2024, 10:14 Ignore the colours - these are no guide and can vary. Citroen use Freecor in all the models at the present time.
by the way Break, can you tell me where the oil cooler is located on the car and how does it look like?????
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 41989
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
x 6955

Re: Oil leakage almost everywhere

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

We can help if you need an original genuine part number, part diagram or vehicle factory build sheet and can't already find the info you need on the Forum. For this service, we do ask for a membership upgrade for official parts data as we are in turn charged for this. It will cover you for future part number requests for up to 3 years, so excellent value.

If interested, links are below, then provide your vehicle's VIN in full, which will be masked automatically when you submit your post.
A response to your question by a Forum Admin requiring parts or specific vehicle information requires you
to have made a current contribution
(Min. £10 / €11.48 or equivalent) to the Forum.
To Upgrade Your Membership & Donate Click Here

For Further Information About Vehicle Parts and VIN Numbers Click Here
Please note, I'm no longer active on the Forum, so won't respond to messages.

Marc