CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[RichardW]

As you are having the coolant drained, worth a check that the stat housing is not starting to leak - it's a common failure point. If you remove the inlet air pipe to the filter you can get a mirror under it to check for any telltale signs.

[CitroJim]

As you are having the coolant drained, worth a check that the stat housing is not starting to leak - it's a common failure point. If you remove the inlet air pipe to the filter you can get a mirror under it to check for any telltale signs.

Thanks Richard, I'll do just that as I've noted the coolant has dropped very slightly in recent months...

[PaulC5]

I am sure you will do it but it is worth the effort of checking the coolant system. About 1000 miles ago I topped up the Cactus coolant slightly and then 2 weeks ago our daughter said it had a Urea fault message. I got the car to take it for repair but found the coolant level was only just at the bottom of the tank and the radiator was leaking. If not for the Urea message it could have been run until the engine overheated.

The urea fault codes were P2201 (NOx sensor circuit range/performance bank 1) and P16EA (excess emission of ammonia) and the exhaust tail pipe was white from the adblue. It needed a new injector (old one leaking), new NOx sensor, new section of exhaust pipe as the sensor could not be removed but the pipe was badly corroded and due for replacement anyway, a new radiator. Total cost at the dealer £2344, ouch, the dearest part was the pipe, looks nice and shiny so might be made from silver. Most of the labour was for the radiator. It is 10 years old now and on 84k miles so possibly getting due for replacement and the next expensive thing might be the dpf replacing, it has already had a clutch, timing belt and eolys fluid filled up.

[CitroJim]

Ouch! That hurt a bit Paul

Against that, all should be good for another ten years...

[CitroJim]

A very odd happening with the van on Monday...

Sitting in a car park for a while, listening to the radio with the ignition off I took an incoming phone call. The built-in hands-free automatically answered the call and muted the radio. I happily chatted hands-free until the car went to sleep. I continued the call on the phone itself after it disconnected from the car.

When I started up, all seemed normal. The radio came on as it does although I did notice the caller's name continued to show in the car's display. I turned the radio off when the Archers came on and left it switched off for the remainder of the journey.

Next day, I found the caller's name was still displayed and the radio appeared to be muted when I turned it on. There was nothing could do to un-mute it.

Yesterday I went out armed with Daigbox and intending to do a BSI reset to hopefully resolve it only to find everything entirely back to normal in all respects! I tried to provoke the problem by making phone calls both both ingoing and outgoing and all functioned perfectly and as expected.

Perplexing!

[mickthemaverick]

I wish you'd stop calling your Picasso 'a van' Jim. It will be very confusing for members who do not know you or your fleet, they will naturally assume you actually mean a van and may end up misguided as a result!

[Zelandeth]

A very odd happening with the van on Monday...

Sitting in a car park for a while, listening to the radio with the ignition off I took an incoming phone call. The built-in hands-free automatically answered the call and muted the radio. I happily chatted hands-free until the car went to sleep. I continued the call on the phone itself after it disconnected from the car.

When I started up, all seemed normal. The radio came on as it does although I did notice the caller's name continued to show in the car's display. I turned the radio off when the Archers came on and left it switched off for the remainder of the journey.

Next day, I found the caller's name was still displayed and the radio appeared to be muted when I turned it on. There was nothing could do to un-mute it.

Yesterday I went out armed with Daigbox and intending to do a BSI reset to hopefully resolve it only to find everything entirely back to normal in all respects! I tried to provoke the problem by making phone calls both both ingoing and outgoing and all functioned perfectly and as expected.

Perplexing!

Ah, software glitches in moderns. Aren't they fun?

We've just got to the point of shrugging and getting on with things when random things like that now. Just seems to be half the "fun" of owning a modern car. Any made by VW in the last 10 years at least! The last Multivan I think was the worst for random small but annoying glitches like that and it sounds like it's keeper was glad to hand that one back. Latest one seems to be at least somewhat more stable. Randomly deciding to cancel your navigation when you're on the motorway or reboot the entire dash at random intervals seemed to be favourites of the last one.

[CitroJim]

Yep, it all just reinforces my belief that all moderns are far too complex for their own good.

Having said that, in all the time I've had the van now, that really is the first significant glitch that's happened so not too bad really...

[daviemck2006]

Im reading about your electronic glitches on your van Jim and Zels fun with modern vws. I suppose ive been really lucky with my lot for gliyches. My Skoda Karoq, ive now owned it 3 years, it is 8 years old and now at 75k and has not had any glitches at all. Ive probably jinxed the bloomimg thing now. My van, the boxer ive owned for a year, its 10 years old now at 115k and its needed a caliper and its gearchange is not good and thats all the problems ive had. Both good vehicles.

[mickthemaverick]

Am I to take it then Jim that you wish to be American?

Cambridge English dictionary definition

[CitroJim]

The Yanks have the definition well covered Mick

The second describes my Picasso well enough!

I'm have a worsening problem with my left knee when driving mine, irrespective of driving position my left knee is in agony irrespective of driving position after only about 20 miles. A short walk soon resolves the issue and the knee is fine in all other activities, including running.

It's time for an automatic as it's making a drive of any distance very unpleasant. After discussing this with all my family members, I'm considering a change whilst the van remains in fair condition and before it might get pricey. I know it'll soon need new tyres and likely soon, a new front bit of the exhaust and concomitant aggro and expense.

The original remit for having a small MPV has now largely gone, I just need room for two rapidly growing children and a car largely free of aggro.

I'll miss the £20 VED though...

Any thoughts? Preferably not German - that really is a step too far!

I'm currently thinking of taking a closer look at a Hyundai i20.. All I'm after is a reliable, functional car that basically meets my needs and will not be a liability. Sadly, I don't think anything in the PSA stable meets those needs - bar perhaps a C3 Aircross - a car I know nothing about.

As said, any thoughts would be appreciated.

[mickthemaverick]

Do I take it that the need to carry a bike is no longer there? Are you happy to live with an easy to maintain yourself, economical auto ?

eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/366546662651

[myglaren]

My Mazda 6 is only £20 VED too Jim. Pleasant drive, comfortable and roomy enough, barely any intrusive electronics and goes quite well (155/173 equines, 2.2L diesel).

A stupid rear shelf that is fixed in, makes transporting bikes, fridges, washing machines and the like a bit awkward.

Then there's the skyactive engine. Better keep quiet about that!

[CitroJim]

Yes, the bike carrying need has largely passed Mick. If I need to I know, with front wheel removed I can squeeze my bike quite easily into my AX..

The Note may be a good call... One to consider..

[CitroJim]

Then there's the skyactive engine. Better keep quiet about that!

I have a friend who's Mazda 6 engine failed spectacularly and extensively as they seem to. He fled into Kia ownership and has been very happy since.