Xantia HDi Head problem

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 26 Aug 2009, 22:56

Xantia HDi 110bhp..
Came in with a major head ache, no compression at all, stripped it all off, had the head machined, put it back together last night, put oil in tonight, started up, a bit slow and sounded a bit low on compression... anyway, she went eventually, and then would start everytime after...

Put water in, but I ALWAYS do what I call a manual compression in the cooling system, by blocking the expansion overflow and blowing into the cooling system and to my horror, I had air going into the rocker area.. anyway, put some water in, and it emulsified with the oil....

I also noticed that the oil I put in, did NOT register on the dip stick,

So my question, is, Do you think I HAVE put the head gasket in the WRONG way round??

Not very PRO fessional of me AT ALL...

Ill get the head off AGAIN tomorrow and see... its all I can do

Paul

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 26 Aug 2009, 23:49

You probably know more than I do but sounds like possible oil cooler failure.

Not sure about the set up on the HDi so not sure if when they go they do let the oil and water mix.

steelcityuk · Post by **steelcityuk** » 27 Aug 2009, 08:50

I've not done a HDi head yet (!) but is it possible to fit the gasket the wrong way around? On the TCT I've just done the head on, the head and gasket were sculptured which along with the dowels would make it very obvious.

Anyway I hope not. It'll be interesting to know what you find.

Steve.

Post by **CitroJim** » 27 Aug 2009, 09:02

My lad managed this trick on his 200SX.. He only realised when oil jetted out at high presure around the head joint and no oil got to the cams. Sadly, because he was still learning, he ran the car for too long with no cam lubrication and it ended up wrecking the cams... He learned after that!

Paul, it's an easy mistake to make as the gaskets do look pretty symmetrical. I recall being a bit unsure the first time I did an XUD.

I hope it all comes good...

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 27 Aug 2009, 10:25

Theres that awfull word, symetrical! and thats EXACTLY what it was..

The gasket will go on TWO ways, the right way AND the wrong way, as the ID marks for the thickness are on the front or rear edge of the gastket NOT ON THE SIDE like the XUD!

I could NEVER fit an XUD the wrong way..

HDI: Correct way, it blocks the Water outlet in the block next to the oil way, on the gearbox end, WRONG way, it leaves thatwater way and oil way connected, so off for another gasket now, and just blydi hope it stays dry, weather forcast doesn't look good!

Grrrrrrr A stupid easy mistake without concentrating!

Paul

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 27 Aug 2009, 20:52

We all make silly mistakes, and I know you will be pretty annoyed with yourself at the moment but these things do happen to us all at some point.

On the positive side...you will never make theat mistake again with any head gasket.

Cheers.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 27 Aug 2009, 21:35

Ok, well, got another gasket, and got it all back together this evening and DOUBLE checked the gasket...

Bolted down, oil in, did my cooling ststem check and hey presto! no leaks..

Put water and anti freeze in, and got her going...

Now a strange thing here, when I spin her over shes sounds compressionless, or at least the compression seems lower then before, anyway, she starts and runs, and when running sounds fine... also, pleanty of go - for limp mode!

Shes fallen into limp mode, but that was from last night with the messing about, so need to get the ECU reset, luckily I have a VERY local Lexia man, infact, our local Peugeot Dealers Technition.. (cant spell it) He does after hours visits for a small fee...

So far now, so good....

Paul

Post by **CitroJim** » 28 Aug 2009, 08:33

Pleased it's all fixed and up and running again Paul