Xsara 2.0 HDI - Oil Leak ***HELP***

Xsara Drummer · Post by **Xsara Drummer** » 03 Sep 2009, 15:44

I have a Xsara Estate 2.0 HDI 90bhp with 143,000 miles on the clock. The MOT is due in October and I was wondering do I need to do a major service on it. The last service according to the Service manual was done at 55,000, but I only bought the car with 125,000 mile on it, since then I’ve had new timing & auxiliary belts fitted, clutch, rear suspension and brake pad & discs all round.

But now in the last few weeks it has started to leak oil from what seems to be the rear of the engine block, my friend thought it was a missing bolt on the back of the timing belt housing at the rear of the engine. It’s slowed it down but not stopped completely.

Have any of you got any advice on -
1. What the leak could be from and how to fix it.
2. Your recommendations on what to get fixed in the service before the MOT test, in a car with this mileage and history.

Any suggestions would be a great help.

Thanks in advance,
DP.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 03 Sep 2009, 16:25

It wont be likly from the block at all, unless your really unlucky...

The likly places:

Oil feed pipe to turbo, on the rear of the block, more central of the block though theres a massive Banjo bolt with two Copper washers, which could be weeping - unlikly though
Cam seal, were as the oil will leak all down the inside of the cam belt area and then out the bottom corner the other place this leak drips from is the bottom engine mount by the crank pully..

Rocker gasket seal will be the third likly candidate.

I wouldn't have thought the head gasket would leak as these HDi's ave the newer laminate type gaskets which DO NOT tend to cause problems like the older types - unless you been really cruel and not had anti freeze in, or NEVER changed the oil...

My incling - the Cam Shaft Seal, which is also a cam belt off job to get the cam pully off....

Paul

Xsara Drummer · Post by **Xsara Drummer** » 03 Sep 2009, 16:50

Thank you Paul for you reply,

I like your ideas on what the problem could be.
I've noticed though when I park my car at night the old leak seems to drip more to the driver's side front wheel (6-12 inches away from the front right tyre, toward the middle of the engine) than more central between the 2 front wheels.

Could that give you a better idea on what the problem could be?

Many thanks,

DP

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 03 Sep 2009, 16:53

Cam shaft seal - behind the cam shaft pully - so thats a belt off job to do...

It can only be, what you can do, is get the Cam belt cover off and look behind the pully and see if you can see oil comming from the seal... if it is you'll quite easilly see it, or were its been comming from..

Paul

Xsara Drummer · Post by **Xsara Drummer** » 04 Sep 2009, 16:03

Sounds like your right Paul,

I'm taking it to the garage on Monday to get it serviced and I'll mention it to him. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for your advice.
DP.

Xsara Drummer · Post by **Xsara Drummer** » 13 Sep 2009, 13:02

Hi Paul,

Your diagnosis was spot on, cam seal/gasket was the problem.
Got my mechanic to replace it and no more oil leak.

Thanks again for your advice.
DP.

I owe you a pint

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 13 Sep 2009, 20:59

NO Problem!

Glad to have pointed you in the correct direction! WELL DONE!

Paul

French Car Forum

Xsara 2.0 HDI - Oil Leak HELP

Xsara 2.0 HDI - Oil Leak HELP