C5 Diesel losing water

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jwalshe
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C5 Diesel losing water

Post by jwalshe »

Hello all!

My father's C5 diesel (a Mk1) appears to be losing water. A mechanic friend had a look and couldn't find evidence of leaks but it has got to the stage where it needs topping up every few days. No puddles underneath at all... just disappearing water!

Any thoughts on what could be causing it?

Huge thanks in advance!

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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by Citroenmad »

I was talking to someone the other day with the same fault, on a 2.2HDi C5.

He had to top it up with coolant regularily and on a long drive got several warnings to top up the coolant. He did but eventually the car came to a stop after the cambelt had failed.

It was the water pump had been leaking, the bearing had got so badly worn that the belt came off. £1200 in repair :o

Id check the water pump first and then for any signs of obvious leaks. If there are no leaks to be seen then check for signs of a failing head gasket.
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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by jwalshe »

Smashing - cheers for the advice! I'll get him to check the water pump firstly - and hope for the best :-)

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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by citroenxm »

Water pump most obvious, and as chris says if it leaks for long enough and soaks the belt it will break.

Head gaskets are rare to give problems on the HDi unless they are high milage (Or your Peter N :-D - Sorry Peter :P ) Ive not come across any yet, and my own at 199k is perfect, and so is a Taxi one I look after at 273k... (both Xantias, but same HDi units)
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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by Peter.N. »

My current one is still good at 202,000, very unusual for me :-D

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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by jwalshe »

Update: It was the head gasket. £700 repair bill :-(

Thanks again for the advice!

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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by Citroenmad »

jwalshe wrote:Update: It was the head gasket. £700 repair bill :-(

Thanks again for the advice!

James
That is unfortunate. Its not a common issue on the HDi but it has been known.

Is it a 2.0 or a 2.2?

What mileage has it got?

Had it been treated to a coolant change in the past?
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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by jwalshe »

It's a 2.0 HDi. 100,000 miles - been serviced regularly but the Citroen specialist guy said something about the quality of coolant being important. So maybe that has something do to with it?
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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by Citroenmad »

jwalshe wrote:It's a 2.0 HDi. 100,000 miles - been serviced regularly but the Citroën specialist guy said something about the quality of coolant being important. So maybe that has something do to with it?
It should have had a cambelt then? If not its very due.

Assuming the cambelt has been done and had the water pump changed too, it will have had the coolant change.

If not, it could well be a case of old coolant.
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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by myglaren »

Yep, it certainly does have a bearing on it, also on the longevity of the heater matrix.
Only use the recommended coolant, plus Forte Cooling System Additive, which helps protect the radiator, matrix and water pump.
Change the coolant at the recommended intervals too. Equally important.
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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by jwalshe »

Thanks all - hopefully all will be well again once the work is done. The cambelt is being done along with head gasket. It's certainly been reliable for the past 3 years - it's never missed a beat (aside from a pesky 'blinking' headlamp).
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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by Citroenmad »

Good stuff, make sure that water pump gets replaced and the belt tensioners or they will be along to bite your fathers wallet in the near future :)
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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by Jeff »

A mechanic told me that if the coolant tastes bitter it will be strong enough & work fine?

Good advice or bad?
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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by waynedance »

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Re: C5 Diesel losing water

Post by Jeff »

I wondering now if I should renew the red coolant? I've had the car 2 & 1/2 years and not changed it.

Anyone else have any advice and reasons etc..
Currently driving Citroen c5 2.0 HDI 51 Plate
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