My turn for a C5!

[Hell Razor5543]

Well I have had her looked at. They took the oil breather off, and found one rocker arm was missing (probably in bits in the area). As they are in pairs (she has a 16 valve engine) and apparently has weak compression on two cylinders it is likely that four rocker arms have failed. It has been suggested all 16 rocker arms and lifters are replaced at the same time, so that they will all be 'balanced' (same level of wear), as well as the timing belt (while it is less than a year old it may have been stressed by what happened), the timing chain (for the same reason), and possibly the auxiliary belt. The labour costs seem reasonable, and they will get back to me with an estimated cost. There is other work to be done, but a new job has been 'added' by the transport company; the hydraulics have been damaged when they offloaded her at Michel's place.

[Hell Razor5543]

Would it be possible for somebody to let me know what the correct engine oil (viscosity and standard) for my C5? The owners handbook I have does not cover my C5. It has been recommended that the oil is changed at the same time, as there may be debris in it from when the damage occurred.

[citroenxm]

As its a Dpf and all that it would I'd of thought be off 5w30 low saps..

I'll see what I can find.

[citroenxm]

James a quick look on opie oils with your reg..

So fully synthetic 5w30.. Wasn't far off there.

[GiveMeABreak]

Any of these for your DW12BTED4 with FAP

Viscosity and PSA Standards.
5W30 oil B71 2290
5W40 oil B71 2296
10W40 oil B71 2300

First Number: The smaller the number, the easier it is to start from cold.
Letter W: Winter
Last Number: Number indicating the grade of the engine oil when hot (the higher the number, the easier it is for the engine oil to withstand high temperatures and remain viscous).

[Hell Razor5543]

Thanks, both of you. It is much appreciated.

[GiveMeABreak]

Further info on the temperature ranges and type of oil (synthetic / semi-synthetic etc.) can be found on the wiki. Your engine code is DW12BTED4 with FAP and therefore a 4HT in the table.

https://frenchcarforum.co.uk/wiki/Citro ... arbox_Oils

[Hell Razor5543]

Nice simple question (for a change!). Do timing belts have a shelf life?

[citroenxm]

I don't think they do. They have an in service life because they are under tension.. And subject to heat. Etc.

[mickthemaverick]

Providing they are stored in cool dry dark conditions there should not be any appreciable degradation. The enemies for rubber are UV, heat and damp as well as mechanical stress so I'd be happy to use a correctly stored one up to around 7 or 8 years old. The fact is they are a relatively inexpensive part so why take the chance?

[Hell Razor5543]

The reason I asked is that I bought a complete Gates timing kit for my C5, but it is highly likely I only needed to get a belt. What I intended to do was to get another Gates belt and then pop it in with the kit (if it wasn't used), so I then would have a full timing kit for when I needed it in the future. However, even though it would be in the box (with the other parts) I could not guarantee the heat/damp conditions, so I will wait until the belt needs to be changed before getting one.

[mickthemaverick]

Generally James they are sold in a kit for a good reason. Whenever I replace a timing belt I always fit new tensioner(s) and water pump as a matter of course. It can often be a false economy to just replace the belt as the chances are you will end up stripping it down again for a squeaky tensioner or leaky pump long before the belt needs a further change. All done at the same time and you are assured of peace of mind for the new belts lifetime. I learnt that lesson the hard way in the early 70s and have stuck to that practice ever since!!

[Hell Razor5543]

The kit was replaced by Paul before I took ownership of her (so less than a year ago).

[citroenxm]

The kit was replaced by Paul before I took ownership of her (so less than a year ago).

And I'm fully aware that pump and, tensioner are changed at same time before anyone has a go at me for not dooing so..

[Hell Razor5543]

The kit was replaced by Paul before I took ownership of her (so less than a year ago).

And I'm fully aware that pump and, tensioner are changed at same time before anyone has a go at me for not dooing so..

Paul, that is why I said 'kit' and NOT 'belt'.