C5 HDi 1.6 or 2.0

[Mdon]

Hi all,

its been a while since ive been on, some will remember I had a Xantia a few months back that I bought for a cheap run around to get to work and back while I was doing mega miles. I then sold it for a Skoda Octavia diesel which is/was a very nice car but unfortunately some pillock ran into it (and me!) outside my house just before christmas, looks like it could be written off and I'm missing my old citroens in particular the C5. so to get to the point why I started this thread, Ive found a couple of C5's for sale and I just wondering whats the 1.6 HDi like? Ive had two of the 2.0's and know them to be good engines. the 1.6's are newer and cheaper than the 2.0's in my price range.

Cheers

Mike.

[RichardW]

The 1.6 is a widely used engine (Ford / PSA / Mini) and reports of problems are few and far between. It needs proper (ie out the bottom) oil changes, but other than that seems bomb proof - 150k belt change intervals. Performance seems to be OK even in the larger cars - although the power curve is bit petrol like! The 2.0 you are looking at are probably the 16V / 140 PS version. Again, don't seem to be too many engine related problems - don't buy one if the clutch is at all suspect though unless you factor £1k into the price to get it changed - it's an LUK self adjusting jobbie with DMF - the parts to change it cost £400 at least, and it's not an easy job by any means!

[Mdon]

what do you mean by proper oil changes (out the bottom) do you mean just remove to the sump plug? The one I'm looking at is a 1.6HDi VTR with 55,000 on the clock and is a 05 plate.

[Xantidote]

Yes, as out of the bottom, via sump plug. Some oil changes are evidently done nowadays by inserting a tube through the oil filler hole, and sucking the old oil out. Alas with this method, you don't know how much of the old oil has been left in the sump. I've only done it by this method on an engine installed in a boat with confined access, where I was unable to access beneath the sump.

It may be that on some car engines, the sump plug access is very difficult. Of course, could be much quicker for a garage, if it saves having to remove any shield that's under the sump.

[Mdon]

Yes, as out of the bottom, via sump plug. Some oil changes are evidently done nowadays by inserting a tube through the oil filler hole, and sucking the old oil out. Alas with this method, you don't know how much of the old oil has been left in the sump. I've only done it by this method on an engine installed in a boat with confined access, where I was unable to access beneath the sump.

It may be that on some car engines, the sump plug access is very difficult. Of course, could be much quicker for a garage, if it saves having to remove any shield that's under the sump.

I seem to remember someone telling me about AUDI engines not being fitted with a sump plug so this was the only way to drain the oil, I would be servicing it myself mostly so would be doing it the traditional way of using the sump.

Anyhow I had some good and bad news, my car is being repaired which I suppose is good. I really wanted to get back to citroen and was using this as an excuse the Mrs is saying I have to keep the skoda becuase she likes it, I'll see if I can work on her changing her mind.

[Citroenmad]

RichardW, does the 1.6HDi not use a very similar clutch? I thought it does, certainly it has a DMF, as does every HDI C5.

Yes, proper servicing is needed for the 1.6 and more frequent than the mnaufacturer would like it done. A good number have had turbo problems, which seems mainly due to long service intervals and oil blocking the turbo oil feeds. Ideally the 1.6 (and 2.0HDi 138) should have the low sulphur Total ECS oil in them. That is what is recommended and its what I use on mine, all cars with FAPs should have low sulphur oil used. I have seen a warning which was circulated around some local garages saying that the 1.6HDi should never be serviced with a oil suction device, as it leaves old oil in the sump.

Depending on where you use the car and how much power you like depends on what engine you go for. The 2.0 HDi 16v is very good, much quicker and more economical than the earlier 2.0HDi 110, but the 1.6 seems slightly more efficient. I went for the 2.0 as its a good and well proen engine with good levels or torque, lots low down, great economy and the 6 speed box gives a much more relaxed crusing rpm than the 1.6 or earlier 2.0. There are many bargains to be had with the 1.6s though and they do appear to be around in larger numbers than the 138 too.

Good news on the Skoda though, you can always sell it

[Mdon]

Cheers Citroenmad,

I'll try and get a 2.0 if I can as I would prefer the bigger engine just depends on which comes up with the lower milage as I do quite a bit travelling over 50 mile round trip to work.

The wife made me promise not to get another car when I got the Octavia because I was spending too much on changing cars (12 in ten years) and I only got the octavia in August. I'll try the arguement that I don't like it anymore because I know it's been damaged