Citroenmads Citroen blog.

[red_dwarfers]

All the best with the C2 Chris, stay optimistic, you've found the fault within a reasonably short time and they've no excuse to not do at least something.

[RichardW]

I think you'll struggly to reject the C2 until they've had a go at repairing it - unless it's got a serious fault like it's been in a smash and is banana shaped

Interesting on the LHM leak....must have a look and see is mine is potentially suffering the same!

[Citroenmad]

I'm well within my rights to reject the car through the trading standards route. The fault was there but not evident at time of purchase, the MOT was confirmation of this - if only I had spotted it. If the fault was there when purchased and you were not aware of it, you have the option of a full refund, a repair or some compensation - if bought from a dealer. If the fault could not be proven it was there at time of purchase or deleveloped after purchase within a reasonable time, a repair is really the best you can expect. The garage knew this was the case and so realised they didn't have a lot of choice but to return my money.

In my case it was a serious enough and costly fault which was a safety hazard, I could also prove it was there when I bought the car although it did progress rapidly with the 300 miles I drove it.

The facts then ...

At first the car was fine, from what I knew of the 1.4HDi which I have to admit is not a lot. I obviously test drove the car before I bought it, it drove well and it was the first experience I have had driving a 1.4HDi. It did seem to get a little better once it had warned through but otherwise seemed fine. I noticed there was a noise from the front suspension mount so I went back and haggled slightly. I collected the car a few hours later and it drove well for the first couple of days, though I probably only did about 50 miles. It did seem to be getting a little lumpy at idle and took a few more cranks to start the engine. I had to do a bit longer journey and at the end of it got stuck in traffic, at this point there was a strong fuel smell in the car. Which had me worried but I was not convinced it was from the C2, maybe a car infront. As I set off again the fuel smell cleared but then returned once I got back to town speed. The next morning I started it up, which did take it a while of turning over and it once it started it sounded like the top end of the engine had failed. It hadn't, I popped the bonnet to hear a loud chuffing noise, after a check on the internet my thoughts were confirmed.

It has leaking injector seals. This was noticed on the MOT, which stupidly I had not checked when I bought the car but equally I was not informed of the advisory list. I remember the advisory side of the MOT certificate was covered by the V5 ... hmm. The MOT stated fuel smell in car and chuffing from engine ... Now, I know a leaking injector seal or two is not the worst problem. The seals themselves are cheap but if you factor in the other parts, manifold seals and such the parts can be something like £60-£90, plus fitting. I know the manifold can be a pain to remove on the 1.4HDi and all four seals should be replaced since there is so much stripping down needed. Unfortunately its not like the 2.0HDi, which is a relitively simple job.

I got speaking to a good garage which I use and who have done this job on many C2s and C3s, its a very common problem. They quotes £80 plus VAT for each injector. However, after reading around and speaking to them, there is a risk of damaging the injectors on removal. There is also talk of injectors being wire brushed and ruining then, seals lasting only a year and so on. Was this a hassle I really wanted to get into? Not to mention the garage would only replace the leaking injector seal and not all four, which could well go next week or in fours years, who knows.

There were other niggles, there was a wheel bearing which droned after some time at motorway speed, the turbo didn't like prolonged cruising and would whistle after and the AC didnt work. Apparently C2s have a common problem with a leaking condensor. I got a quote from the local specialist who is usually very reasonable for me. For the four seals, wheel bearing and AC fix it would have been somewhere near £600-£700. Now, the AC I wasn't too bothered about as it could have been done as and when. I also knew the timing belt was due which again I knew about and factored into my budeting. However, that is almost £1000 needed to get it useable and with timing belt.

The garage I bought it from suggested I take it to the garage they use as "they would be able to do it much cheaper" ... However this was 40 minutes away from here and then i would have to take it back again to have the repair done. And its an unknown garage and due to past experience I dont trust many garages. The leaking injector seal would be replaced, but what about the others. I really didn't want the hassle of running it about, I dont have the time for it and I dont want an car I can not use. I also didnt want the hassle of a possible bad repair or another seal going shortly afterwards. No one plans to buy a car which then can not be used a week after it was bought and at the time my HDi Xantia was off the road - now its fixed - so I needed the car to be working.

So I pushed for a refund on the grounds that the fault was there when I bought the car, I needed a car when I bought the car and not when they had fixed it. It was also a safety issue as the fumes got so strong that I had to drive it back to the garage with the windows down and my eyes stinging. I certainly wasn't going to be running it to and from the suggested garage, over an hour round trip.

As to why the fault got quickly worse I'm not sure, maybe another garage had previously bodged it up or tightened the injectors down. I'm not sure but I certainly wouldn't have bought the car if I knew it had leaking injectors seals and definitely wouldn't have bought it if it sounded like it does now. It is obviousl why the last owner got rid!

Initially the garage were determined to fix the car, which is understandable but I was more determined that I didn't want the car due to the problems. They knew that I was entitled to a refund as they knew the facts and without too much persuading they agreed. I took the C2 back to the garage yesterday and got my money back. Credit to the garage really for being as forthcoming.

Don't get me wrong, I know a nine year old car wont be perfect and always expect I will have work to do on it, I've bought enough cars to know what to expect and so on. I was ready to get the wheel bearing and AC done with a local place but after this development, it just didn't make sense. I really wanted to keep the C2 and was about to accept a repair. I have already spent almost £200 on parts for various things. Some of which I fitted and left with the car, new front fog lights, new number plates, bonnet stay, wipers, suspension top mount. I decided that ideally I would have my money back. However, if I couldn't have proven that the fault was there when I bought it and was left with them doing a repair, I would have paid the Citroen specialist myself to do the work. As I know it would have been ok and had all four done. Which I seriously considered. I really like the C2 as a car and when it ran well it did drive nicely and suited what I want perfectly.

Maybe most people would have accepted a repair, I'm not sure. I just knew it could end up being a hassle from start to finish and really didn't want to get into that.

I'm not sure what I'll do now, I would have another C2 in a flash but it would have to be a petrol one. I can see me sticking with my Xantias for now, better the devil you know! Of course, both of the Xantias are angels

[daviemck2006]

I would have taken the new parts off it again. At least it's resolved without too much hassle, and not too much money lost. It's maybe as well the c1 wasn't traded for the pic!

[Citroenmad]

I didn't leave on anything of much value. The number plates are of no use to me, the fog light had to stay as the bolt had snapped off in the old knackered ones and the strut top was cheap enough.

I'll have to sell the other bits, unless I get another C2 at some point.

I'm glad I got sorted out easily enough and I've learned a lesson or two ...

[CitroJim]

I'm glad I got sorted out easily enough and I've learned a lesson or two ...

That is good Chris but it still leaves a bitter taste though... Bloody dealers are only just above solicitors, IT managers and estate agents in my respect league; members of the useless third of the population we can all do without and wouldn't miss for a second if they didn't exist...

I suppose some other poor sod will be lumbered with the car after it's been bodged up again for a quick sale... And possibly someone who is not as savvy as you are... That's the real tragedy.

[Citroening]

That was a shame that happened Chris however glad it got resolved.

Time for a C4 now then?!

Bloody dealers are only just above solicitors, IT managers and estate agents in my respect league; members of the useless third of the population we can all do without and wouldn't miss for a second if they didn't exist...

As with everything Jim, of course there are exceptions...

[DHallworth]

Chris, you did exactly what I would of done to be honest!

Fingers crossed you find something that ticks all the boxes again without to much hassle! Time for that V6 C5 you've been hankering after for a while?

David.

[CitroJim]

As with everything Jim, of course there are exceptions...

Of course Franklin Indeed there are

[R9UKE]

Chris I have to say I love driving my aunts 1.1i C2 - as long as a motorway isn't involved. Brilliant little city car for chucking around, economy is great and it's not too slow either. But if you're needing it to be capable on motorways I wouldn't bother.

A V6 C5, David? Far too old man for Chris - and comes as an auto only. One day he'll see that a manual is just wasting energy and give his left leg a break

[daviemck2006]

If we give his left leg a break then he will have to go the V6 C5 routehahahahahaha

[Citroenmad]

I can see myself in another C2 and yes I do like the idea of a C5 V6 but they are fairly different cars

I went and had a drive of a 2002 Peugeot 406 Coupe 2.2HDi today. It was a very nice car, a special edition 'Silver' spec with cruise, climate, nice interior and wheels ect and had been remapped. It had done 95,000 miles, had great history, good Michelin tyres, new timing belt, clutch and dpf replaced, there is receipts for thousands!

It pulled very well indeed but felt quite ordinary to drive. What I really like about those are the looks and that one does look great and is virtually unmarked. I happened to pass by it and thought that looks nice! I had a good look around it and a drive and while I was tempted by it, I decided that its not really what I'm after.

My Xantia HDi has done over 800 miles within the week, all very effortless!

[bxzx16v]

A very nice car the 406 coupe Chris , have you anything else in mind ?

Mark

[Fake Concern]

I can see myself in another C2 and yes I do like the idea of a C5 V6 but they are fairly different cars

I went and had a drive of a 2002 Peugeot 406 Coupe 2.2HDi today.

What you need is a car that has a bit of all these, maybe a............C4 VTS?

Ha ha!

[R9UKE]

A 406 Coupé - one of the sexiest cars ever produced, with a DIESEL engine!? Are you KIDDING me Chris!? I will lose a lot of respect for you