Confessions of a Citroholic

[RichardW]

Set off to tackle the fuel filter today. If you remove all these bits

(Wipers, scuttle, end pieces, air intake duct, insulation)

Then you get a pretty good run at the top of the engine to change the air filter, and remove the fuel filter

However, in order to actually change the filter you need to undo these 3 T15 Torx screws on the top of the filter:

However, whoever did this last time, tightened them up like a gorilla, and they are not for shifting. My first effort just snapped the end of my Torx bit. Then I tried a bit more carefully, giving them a good tapping with the torque on, but couldn't move them, and the torx bit was just twisting the end off! A new lid is just over £100 from Pug - you can buy the bolts separately - but they are £7.85 EACH I did think about drilling them out, but I didn't have any suitable replacements. So, put it back together, and then maanged to snag a complete unit off Ebay for £43 - which is not that much more than I paid for just the filter bowl part. So put it back together for now, will need to get all the top off again another day.... Stuck a new battery on as well while I was there - managed to get a Yuasa 5000 off Amazon for £88, so that's pretty good. That was pretty straightforward, once I had figured out how to spring the clip to get the charge unit off the top of the battery cover. Hopefully it will be less reluctant to start on cold mornings now.

[RichardW]

Cleared out the Picasso today as it is off to the body shop later in the week, and had a go at freeing the towball off - it's supposed to be removeable, but it was never easy to get off, and then after it had been on a couple of weeks (like about a year ago!) it wouldn't come off at all - thought I should try and free it before it gores to the body shop. The ball / swanneck is fitted into a socket in the bar, which is only held on with two through bolts, so it was easy enough to get the ball and socket off. With it in the vice, it was obvious how it was supposed to work - there is a pin up the centre of the swaneck which jams the neck in the socket. A quick tap with a hammer on the pin, and it came out. Gave it a generous greasing and it is easy enough to fit and remove now; a smear of grease called for each time it is fitted I think. Whilst I was there, random photo of the day...

20k miles, inside of the exhaust is still shiny - pretty clean these Euro 6 motors.

I got the new fuel filter for the 3008, but no chance to fit it over the weekend, it's going OK at the moment, it can wait a bit.

[RichardW]

I expected the AdBlue I added to the Picasso to last 8k miles to 20k total, based on it running the original tank down at 12k, the tank being 16l, the light coming on at 1500miles to go, and me adding 10l - and sure enough, almost right on the nose of 20k it came on last night. Filled it up - annoyingly I thought about it a couple of weeks ago when Halfords had it buy one get one half price - but no such deal last night. Still it only adds the equivalent of 1p per litre to the fuel cost, I can live with that! I'll keep an eye out for a deal next time it's due.

[Mandrake]

Am I the only one slightly amused that we're essentially adding expensive cat pee to our cars to make the more environmentally friendly ?

Well, you guys are anyway, I've never owned a Diesel car and don't plan to start any time soon...

[RichardW]

Fuel filter was fitted to the 3008 which has fixed the EML coming on.

Picasso back from the the bodyshop all fixed up, but then it went off to get its 2 year service, but came back with this unwanted addition

A large oily hand print on the A pillar trim The trim is faced with headlining like material so it's not going to be easy / possible to clean - I looked up a replacement, £250 I've e-mailed the service manager, but he hasn't got back to me, so I'll need to keep pressing. Obviously I want a replacement, but I suspect they will try and clean it, given the replacement cost.

At least that is the last time it needs to darken the doors of the dealer....

[RichardW]

I have realised the headlamp washers have stopped working on the 3008....which will be an MOT problem as it has HID lamps. Couldn't find a fuse listed in the handbook, but the wiring diagram for the C4 Picasso / some Google activity suggest F4 (which the handbook references for DRL). Pulled it last night in the dark and it looks OK. Investigation under the OS wing required - hopefully it doesn't require the front bumper removing as that will be filled with rusted bolt pain no doubt!!

[xantia_v6]

It is just as likely to be a failed/gummed-up pump.

[Mandrake]

I'm curious to know how failed headlamp washers would be an MOT failure specifically with HID lamps ? Why's that ? And surely there are cars with HID lamps without headlight washers ?

I've never owned a car with headlamp washers so far....

[myglaren]

Depends on the year Simon.
My brother had a 308sort of thing with them that didn't need washers for the MOT.
Neither did the Mondeo he replaced it with.

If they are fitted, they have to work.

HID lamps glare a lot more than incandescents if the lenses are dirty.

[RichardW]

From the regs:

4.1.6. Headlamp cleaning devices
You must inspect vehicles first used on or after 1 September 2009 equipped with headlamp washers.

You can identify HID headlamps from:

‘DCR’ mark on the headlamp lens or body
an igniter module or inverter behind the headlamp
taking a few seconds to reach full intensity
a bluish tinge to the light
HID headlamps use high voltage. You should take care when inspecting these headlamps.

Defect Category
(a) Headlamp cleaning device:

(i) inoperative Minor
(ii) inoperative in the case of LED or gas discharge systems (HID) Major

I believe the C&U regs require washers on HID / LED lamps at above 2000 lumen. Anyway, mines a fail on that basis.... I think the headlamp washer pump may be accessible from under the wing as it's on the top of the tank, I suspect the main screen one is a front bumper off job....

[RichardW]

My mate was here at the weekend and the battery on his van was giving trouble. Dug out my antediluvian charger

but to no avail - even after nearly 24h on charge still not enough juice to turn it over . Jumped it, and he drove home vowing not to stop the engine - new battery now on order.

[RichardW]

Looks like he washer pump is a bumper off job . Wrestled the wing liner out, and here it is (blue top)

I could probably lever it out, and then I might be able to get the cable off, but getting it back in looks nigh on impossible. I got the bolt out of the end of the wing, and the ones under the front edge are moving (well except the one that sheared off as soon as I touched it!) so getting the bumper off might not be that hard. Then again.... It can wait till the spring, or at least till I have a longer day, and hopefully a bit warmer!

[white exec]

Grease marks on headliner-like surface . . . Try some bio clothes washing liquid in a little warm water, and a gentle nailbrush. Bio liquid shifts dirt/grease/grime (even oil-based paints from brushes) really well. Water needed with it to activate the enzymes.

[RichardW]

I'm taking it up on Friday to see what they can do - but if it's not completely clean, then I will loudly be campaigning for a replacement!

[RichardW]

They managed to remove the handprint easily, duuno what they've got in the Valeting bay, but it works. Kind of suggests that they do that sort of thing all the time, but catch it before the customer notices!

Opened the boot on the 3008 last night to find that water has been getting in, and was dripping out of the joint in the window surround trip at the top one side will need to get the trim off and see where it's coming in; I can only think it's the high level brake light, unless the screen is leaking.