HDI Head Gasket Failure??

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HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by PopPops »

Hi.

I have a Citroen Evasion HDi (LHD Synergie) about 285,000 miles, 2001. Back in December, it started showing signs of head gasket failure - pressurising the cooling system etc. and loosing coolant. I took it to my local Citroen dealer to investigate/confirm/quote.

I was surprised when they said that they could find no signs of HG failure, having pressure tested it and used a sniffer. From the amount of diesel used and miles put on, they had done something! They just suggested a flush, new coolant and a new filler cap.

However, it still lost coolant, topping up every 1,500 miles or so, and the system pressurised.

Since then I have done about 8,000 miles with the same symptoms. In my experience, a failing head gasket fails quickly to the point the car is unusable, so maybe it's something else, but really, that only leaves a cracked or porous head.

I have owned the car from new and it has never overheated.

A friend had a Xara HDi which pressurised the cooling system and lost coolant and lasted 3 years until he scrapped it.

Do any of you experts have an clue on this? Could it still be the head gasket?

Thanks in advance.

Regards.
Nigel
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by CitroJim »

Nigel, I think at 285,000 miles the poor old girl can be forgiven for being a bit incontinent :)

The HDi carries head gaskets (and age) very well indeed and it's not always the case that the first signs of HG failure rapidly escalate. depending on how it's going they can go on for ages and ages. And old trick is to leave the expansion tank cap loose so the system does not pressurise.

How much are you topping up in 1500 miles? A full header tankful or just a little bit?

If it's just a drop one in every 1500 miles then I'd not worry about it overly. Just keep and eye on it..

Are you sure it's caused by pressurisation and not a small leak elseware in the system? A pinhole that only spills hot coolant as steam can be almost invisible...
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by PopPops »

Jim, many thanks for your reply. Very interesting that the HDi gasket can carry on for ages.

I have used about a litre in the last 8,000 miles, not a lot, but it is all coming out of the tank cap and I can see no signs of any other leaks. Previously it used not a drop between cambelt changes.

There is definitely pressure in the system, even after cooling overnight there is a "pop" when the cap is removed and the top hose is hard after a run. I can't see any soot, oil or even smell anything diesel in the header tank though.

Apart from that, the car is in very good order, everything works and it still sounds and goes like it did 200,000 mile ago.

I'll keep an eye on it, many thanks.

Regards.
Nigel
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by CitroJim »

That's definitely pressurisation then Nigel.

Must be a very, very small leak in the gasket. Do you see any tiny streams of bubbles if you look in the header tank with the engine running and hot?

As I say, keep and eye and at first signs of a getting worse, do the head gasket.
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by Peter.N. »

I would concur with Jim. Hdi head gaskets do seem to last well, XUDs or at least the ones I have owned tend to fail at about 150,000 but my 406 has done 204k and no sign of leakage. The trick with leaving the system unpressurised has worked on my XM for three 3 years, with it screwed down it blows most of the water out in about 100 miles, leave it loose and it uses virtually no water at all. Don't thrash it though as it will boil at a lower temperature with no pressure.

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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by myglaren »

May be worth putting a dose of Forte Stop Leak in.
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by PopPops »

There are some bubbles from the thermostat housing bleed hose into the header tank at idle when cold, but strangely I've not seen them when hot. It doesn't seem to pressurise when cold though. I'll try the trick with the cap.

So this does sound more like a gasket failure rather than a cracked or porous head? I'll also have a think about Forte Stop Leak, but I guess that wouldn't be a permanent solution, only putting off the day when the head has to come off.

The next issue is where to have the job done. In 40 years I've not had to take my cars to garages, but I do not have the facilities to get at the head, it is well hidden. Would you just take it to Citroen, or is there a good independent in the Fareham Hampshire area?

Thanks for all your help.

Regards.
Nigel
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by PopPops »

A quick update, I just went out to top it up as I have a long journey today. It was pressurised when I removed the cap cold, but I also spotted what appears to be a leak from the water pump. I suspect the pressure has caused the water pump seal to go.

Oh well, that garage recommend is more urgent now!

Thanks again.

Regards.
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by citronut »

and i was going to suggest trying a new cap and bleed the system thoroughly, as these cap do fail ,

does the heater work properly,

regards malcolm
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by citroenxm »

it depends entirely where it has blown.ive had a xantia hdi in.. it starts and runs perfectly.. but its pushing a water oil mix out the expansion bottle.. the oil though in the sump is fine and normal colour.. theres no mayonayse in the sump and the rad water is perfectly fine too.. the engine has done 287k too... i might take the head off to investigate one day one i removed it and got rid of the body...
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by citronut »

are you sure that wasn't the oil cooler gone Paul,

regards malcolm
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by Lighty »

Is the radiator clean, as they tend to start blocking from the bottom up with sediment. I know this ont technically cause a pressure increase , just a thought .
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by citroenxm »

citronut wrote:are you sure that wasn't the oil cooler gone Paul,

regards malcolm
no malc.. that was my first thought... stuck another cooler on same problem..

its mine niw bought it in for parts and the cars id...
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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by Peter.N. »

I had that problem with an XM, changed the head gasket and bypassed the oil cooler and it still did it, sold it like it.

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Re: HDI Head Gasket Failure??

Post by xmexclusive »

Good Indy I can recommend near Fareham:
Andy Lamb
Curbridge Motor Co Ltd
Bury Farm
Curbridge
Nr Botley
SO30 2HB
01489 780782
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