c3 diesel

[woody298242]

Hi all I am new to this site but I have had a Xantia since 1998.
So, Can I purchase a C3 1.4 Diesel six year old with 125k miles, with full service history, I know the cambelt , water pump etc. needs changing at 150k £500 at a Citroen garage.
The Xantia,s I have run have all been OK with high mileage.
Please any advise would be helpful.
xwoody

[Citroenmad]

If its a 1.4 8v HDi then they are pretty decent engines, the 16v 1.4 is a little more attention seeking.

If the cambelt has not been changed yet, I would factor that into the costs now and get it replace asap if you do buy it. Ive seen plenty of HDis with failed cambelts before the recommended interval, 125K on a cambelt, pump and tensioners is really more than enough.

[woody298242]

Cheers you are very kind.
Do I need to look or any other issues.
xwoody

[Citroenmad]

Injectors perhaps, listen for a rattling from them.

They tend to be a good unit with few problems, so just the usual checks and a good test drive.

I can't think of anything C3 specific, it might be worth a search around on here to find similar posts.

Or check out the honest john webites.

Here is a link to the C3 'whats bad' page, worth a read. While its good to know what to look for, don't let the read put you off, as if you read any review on there you probably wouldn't ever buy another car again It would appear things are noted even if it has only been known to happen to one car.

Yes, avoid the 1.4 16v HDi stick to the 1.4 8v 70bhp HDi. £20 or £30 road tax, 60 MPG, low insurance - many plus points. Reliable too.

[Deanxm]

My work mate has a C3 1.4 HDI 16v, think its a VTR with all the plastic arches etc etc, he had to have the engine out to change the Glow plugs at Citroen
He likes it though.

D

[Citroenmad]

My work mate has a C3 1.4 HDI 16v, think its a VTR with all the plastic arches etc etc, he had to have the engine out to change the Glow plugs at Citroën
He likes it though.

D

XTR is the one with all the plastic exterior bits.

Wow, bit costly just to replace the glow plugs, is that really necessary?

Still, better than having to take the body off a Dico3 to change the clutch

[Deanxm]

Ha ha, i dont know if it was needed or not, ive not seen under the bonnet, i would guess the plugs face forward up upwards but Citroen insisted the engine had to come out, our local dealer is pretty damn good.

Yes Chris XTR, thats the one. Good job someones on the ball!

D

[wheeler]

Wow, bit costly just to replace the glow plugs, is that really necessary?

Not normally but the glowplugs on these engines are known for breaking off in the head which would probably need an engine removal, They are on the rear of the engine & a bit tricky to get at or even see but certainly not an engine out job.

[woody298242]

Ok all
Back to the original question do I buy or no
xwoody

[Sl4yer]

If it's cheap!

We've had no end of problems with ours (electrical / electronic), and sadly I wouldn't recommend one. But many people have no major issues, and there are plenty of early ones still about, so maybe we're just unlucky.

James