Oil in the water... HDi Xantia

lolingram · Post by **lolingram** » 20 Dec 2007, 11:15

I recently experienced a rather scary problem on my 212k miler Xantia 90hp HDi. Grandson noticed an oily tar dripping from under the car whilst parked. It turned out to be from the cooling sytem expansion tank overflow.... horror!

Upon checking the oil level it was found to be just on the end of the dipstick, BUT no sign of mayonaise. I feared this might be caused by a failing head gasket, but after due reflection I decided to check the oil/water intercooler sandwich, and this was the culprit!

A visit to the breakers (plus about 10 times flushing the cooling system) has resolved this anxious moment. BTW, a tip to aid the de-oiling of the cooling sys it to add a dishwasher tablet each time of flushing (not forgetting to backflush the rad), until all comes out clean as a whistle. Then add anti-freeze/inhibitor.

Best seasons greetings,

I have not heard of this problem on PSA diesels before (all TDs are thus equipped), so thought it worth a mention - have any others heard of this problem?

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 20 Dec 2007, 11:49

Yep, I've got an identical car showing the same symptoms at the moment.
Is the cooler the same as the TD one? I possibly have another Xantia that's a
P plate TD showing similar signs too; I know how to find them!!

Andrew

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 20 Dec 2007, 12:24

The oil filter fitted oil cooler should be the same over the XU/D/TD engine range.

Fitted to all petrol autos too - and I believe the earlier pet 16V's as well. Remember similar Peug cars have the same engine range.

rowanmoor · Post by **rowanmoor** » 20 Dec 2007, 12:30

I think it is a different setup and part etc, but it seems to be becoming a problem on the 2.5 XMs.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 20 Dec 2007, 12:59

I've had this very problem on a 1989 V6 Xm which was a FCSH car from
new but sold out as spares or repair due to a possible failed head gasket...

and this was a good few years back when the car would have had a newer
cooler/exchanger!! The cooling pipes rotted out from the inside though
making life interesting!

The crap aluminium cooler/exchanger that lived under the oil filter was
changed to a heavy brick outhouse generation counterpart made of stainless
steel from a diesel Cx.

Andrew

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 20 Dec 2007, 15:54

2.5D/TD and V6 are NOT XU family engines. These have different oil filter setups, which may or may not be compatible with the XU engine family.

rowanmoor · Post by **rowanmoor** » 20 Dec 2007, 16:00

A few people have been trying to fix the problem on 2.5s on Club XM and an XU engine part has never been suggested as a swap, so I should think it is not compatible. I would have expected someone to have noticed the similarity with such a popular engine if you could use a scrap one from there.

lolingram · Post by **lolingram** » 20 Dec 2007, 18:57

Yep, I've got an identical car showing the same symptoms at the moment.
Is the cooler the same as the TD one? I possibly have another Xantia that's a
P plate TD showing similar signs too; I know how to find them!!

Do something sooner rather than later... mine nearly emptied the sump into the cooling sys within 30 miles...

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 20 Dec 2007, 19:21

Neither are daily use cars and are actually a step away from being scrapped.
I'd try a new heat exchanger/cooler before breaking the V plate HDi though
and the P plate is a difficult call as it has a nice/interesting history!

Andrew