Fuming Xantia!

tim leech · Unread post by **tim leech** » 08 Feb 2006, 15:59

Hi Guys im new to the forum but do have a passion for certain gallic godesses! Ive not long bought a 1994 Xantia 1.8i 8v, which was originally my later fathers when new, after 8 years apart shes back where she belongs but the years havent been that kind too her and she needs love.

The car drives lovely and is as quiet and smooth as I remember but recently failed the emmissions on its mot test, I replaced the lambda sensor and plugs as advised which did improve things but the emmissions are still way too high, the only way to get them down is to rev the poor thing to death where they go down to a acceptable level but as soon as it ticks over up they go again! The engine check light comes on and sometimes goes off again but is on most of the time.

Ive been told it could be a faulty catalyst but as they arent cheap before I start throwing more money at it I would ask advice! the car has done 130000miles.

Anyone else had the same problems?

As you would expect my local citroen dealer cant offer any assitance.

JohnT · Unread post by **JohnT** » 08 Feb 2006, 17:11

I would firstly buy a can of 'Forte' injection cleaner or a good reputable make, take it for a long hard drive, (watch out for blue smoke when de- accelerating on the overun) and check your air filter. If that works do the same again on the way for the MOT, if not then move on to the following if the problem still persists;
Check the colour of the plugs tips after the run they should be an oatmeal colour, if dark its burning oil. Let it idle for a while do a few local trips and check them again, if they are black or oily you do have an oil burning problem.
Check your coolant, any loss?
Do a compression test.

If your cat is gone then your local centre should be able to confirm that. A secondary brand replacement is around £100 trade. I would suggest you look to checking the simpler issues first, far cheaper! Best of luck. Let us know the outcome.

tim leech · Unread post by **tim leech** » 08 Feb 2006, 17:43

I did put some redex injector cleaner through it when I first got it and gave it a good thrash down the motorway, I must admit the heaters crap and it does seem to use a bit of water.! Then smoke from the exhaust isnt blue but does seem to put alot of white smoke out. I considered a headgasket but the car runs so well I discounted it?

The plugs are new as is the airfilter.

Thanks for your help.

tim leech · Unread post by **tim leech** » 08 Feb 2006, 23:03

Anyone know how expensive it is to change a headgasket and is it difficult?

Many Thanks

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 08 Feb 2006, 23:30

If the heater is not working correctly, is the engine running at normal temperature? if its running cold the emmisions will be up. You can check the thermostat by starting the engine from cold and feeling the top of the radiator, it should remain cold until the engine reaches normal temperature and then suddenly get very hot as the thermostat opens. If it gradually gets warmer, you need a new stat. I dont know what the headgasket is like to change as I havn't run a petrol vehicle for about 20 years, but I am sure someone on this forum will.

tim leech · Unread post by **tim leech** » 09 Feb 2006, 09:18

The engine get up to temperature quickly and the mot tester said that some of the radiator was cold yet the fan was kicking in, blockage maybe?

tim leech · Unread post by **tim leech** » 09 Feb 2006, 09:20

I may try flushing the cooling system and fitting a new thrmostat then guys before I start ripping the heaf off, Ive had headgsakets go before and the cars ran awful or didnt run at all! This runs fine!!

Unread post by **RichardW** » 09 Feb 2006, 10:49

Tim,

You need to quantify what the emissions fail was - HC, CO, Lambda? Different fails may have different causes. The engine oil breather on these can block up - my Dad had to replace the pipe from the oil filler (I think) as it had almost completely swollen up inside and blocked itself (also manifested as blowing oil out of the dipstick).

If necessary the HG shouldn't be too bad on one of these - it's only the old XU engine, and there's plenty of room round it in the Xantia. Biggest problem is the wet liners -you do not want to disturb these!!

tim leech · Unread post by **tim leech** » 09 Feb 2006, 15:28

Will check the breather thanks!

tim leech · Unread post by **tim leech** » 09 Feb 2006, 23:06

Thanks agaon for all your help guys, just need the funds to fix it! Anyone want to buy a lovely BX diesel to help me along?

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 10 Feb 2006, 13:13

tim leech wrote:Thanks agaon for all your help guys, just need the funds to fix it! Anyone want to buy a lovely BX diesel to help me along?

Is it a LHD ? 8)

tim leech · Unread post by **tim leech** » 11 Feb 2006, 17:12

No sorry RHD but very tidy