The Amazing Disappearing Lubricant.

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
Chlorate
Posts: 612
Joined: 25 Sep 2009, 00:55
Location: Wiltshire
My Cars:

The Amazing Disappearing Lubricant.

Post by Chlorate »

Me again. Apparently my car has learned a new trick.

200 or so miles after camshaft repair, everything seems to be running smoothly.

Or at least it seemed to be...

This morning on the way to a friend's house my oil light flashed (the red oil can one) whilst going around a couple of tight corners. Checked the oil level later when I was going to go home and there was almost none in there.

I did an oil change in late October and the car was off the road through December.

So essentially 5 litres of oil has disappeared without a trace in 3 months. :shock:

It doesn't leave puddles where it's parked (not that I've noticed anyway), the cam seal is fine, the crank seal was fine when I had the bottom cover off not long ago and all I can see of the valve cover is fine and I haven't got a slick or mayonnaise in my radiator.

So that just leaves exhaust...
Perhaps my little timing belt incident did more of a number on my head than I thought, damaged valve guide or stem seal maybe? But then again it runs fine and all the valves passed the screwdriver test.. And I haven't noticed it smoking any more than usual (although its hard to tell from the driver's seat).

Or is it something to do with the fact I'm running veggie now...

My friend was kind enough to donate a can he had sitting around, bunged a couple of litres in for the journey home (about 25 miles), will check to see how much is left in the morning, with any luck the leak is a slow one.

Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.

Sigh, it's just one thing after another. Really don't want to take the bleedin' head off again :(

Many thanks in advance.

-Alex

p.s.
XUD9 turbo etc etc etc etc :lol:


Edit :
Chlorate wrote: Hehe all the work I've done to this beast, it'll have to be creative if it wants to break something again...
Probably shouldn't have provoked it there...
Citroen Xantia Exclusive HDi

previously:
Citroen ZX Volcane - RIP
Peugeot 106 XN... stolen and destroyed by Kent Police :evil:
citroenxm
Posts: 8061
Joined: 30 Dec 2004, 23:10
Location: Somewhere in North Wales, Anglesey
My Cars: M reg Xm S2 2.1td Auto Exclusive. 269k and rising
L reg XM S1 V6 12v Manual SEi
L 94 XM 2.1 TD auto total resto

2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
x 70

Post by citroenxm »

It certainly shouldn't be a guide or seal, if the valves moved freely when pushed down then there should be no guide damage...

Ive not had an oil issue after a cam break before now.. it sounds simmilar to a problem I had on an XM TCT Turbo Petrol... oil misteriously disapreared, I only cured it by fitting another engine!

Paul
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
Chlorate
Posts: 612
Joined: 25 Sep 2009, 00:55
Location: Wiltshire
My Cars:

Post by Chlorate »

The mystery is solved.

Had a peek around with a torch - camshaft seal is wonky.

Apparently I'm a berk.

Ah well, not a difficult fix.
Citroen Xantia Exclusive HDi

previously:
Citroen ZX Volcane - RIP
Peugeot 106 XN... stolen and destroyed by Kent Police :evil:
jgra1
(Donor 2021)
Posts: 4625
Joined: 27 Nov 2005, 19:07
Location: Kent / Susssex
My Cars: 2010 C5 X7 2.0 hdi 160 exc auto
MG TF 135
Boxer II 2.2 camper conversion
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1300 R
Honda V F R 800 5thG / MT500 Armstrong
x 39

Post by jgra1 »

:D good news Alex.. we've all done similar :twisted:
Deanxm
Posts: 3327
Joined: 18 Dec 2008, 17:57
Location: Isle of wight
My Cars: Citroen XM
x 87

Post by Deanxm »

Good news indeed, and the feeling of being a berk is very pleasant compared to the feeling of having a terminaly dead car :lol:

D
XM Prestige PRV6 92
Talbot Express Autotrail Chinook 89
Mitsubishi L200 Trojan 14
Xantia Activa 95, sold (missed)

Service Citroen is awesome, it shows me pictures of all the parts i used to be able to buy............
Chlorate
Posts: 612
Joined: 25 Sep 2009, 00:55
Location: Wiltshire
My Cars:

Post by Chlorate »

Haha yes, perhaps the only time I shall be happy to see oil leaking from my car:
"Oh thank naughty word! It's only a seal somewhere"

Was having horrible visions of having to take the whole thing to bits to mend it..which I don't have the time or facilities to do really.

Luckily it only took 20 minutes to mend :D

Seems the oil level sensor in my car is on the blink.
Citroen Xantia Exclusive HDi

previously:
Citroen ZX Volcane - RIP
Peugeot 106 XN... stolen and destroyed by Kent Police :evil:
Post Reply