C5 - Oil pressure insufficient [solved]

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Ben82
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Re: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by Ben82 »

Oddly, the dip stick oil colour is lightly golden, but the stuff that came out of the pressure switch hole was darker going by the stuff I was mopping up that had got on the tarmac with kitchen towel (the colour identification probably isn't helped by my black colour deficiency!)

Yup, ticking is still there, it didn't happen for a while, and I thought that by some strange chance the ticking was caused by the oil that came out, but it's still there.

I am a bit skeptical now about whether the oil and filter were changed at the last service (otherhalf did say that they said the service was performed), but checking the service book, they hadn't filled it in (when they were the ones to point out that it was last serviced by them in 2010, and they put the recommendation in for 2011), so who knows, they may have just forgot to fill it in etc.
Also where I have been trying to be "hyperalert" with the engine over the past few days, it has seemed rougher until it gets up to temperature (vibrating etc).

Also unsure on an engine flush, it seems there's a lot of mixed feelings online about doing one. So probably not something I want to take a risk on doing myself.
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Re: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by myglaren »

If you are wary of an engine flush, do three oil changes in fairly rapid succession say two weeks apart.
Change the filter on the first and third oil change, then do an oil and filter change at half the recommended distance or time.
Don't forget that Sweden is classed as a high stress environment due to temperature extremes, particularly the northern parts.
Örebro isn't particularly northerly but is still a damned sight more extreme that the UK.

After that, with the majority of any crap lurking in there removed, try and get hold of some Forte engine flush or perhaps substitute Amsoil, Wynns or Redex and run that on the next service.
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Re: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by Ben82 »

That sound far safer to me, thanks :)

For the interim ones, since the oil is only going to be there for a couple of weeks, is it alright to use the cheaper/unbranded stuff? (still thinking 5W40 fully synth)
Would be ~£28 for 5L, and the Mobil 1 seems to be around 3 times to cost at about £78 to get in Sweden (or about £48 if imported from Germany).
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Re: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by myglaren »

This time of year I would consider 0W30 where you are - ask the dealer for their advice if it isn't in your handbook.

As you say, it won't be there long so I think the low cost option would be acceptable for the first two changes.

qprdude may have some additional insight on this.
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Re: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by Ben82 »

Service book states 5W40 is rated down to -30C, it's hovering around 0C at the moment, not seen below -4C since being back. Recorded lowest around here was -32C (with the average low being -7C), that's obviously middle of the night temp, personally have only seen -25C (last year).

If i remember correctly, the rating is for starting temperature? as the garage it is in usually keeps the temp 5-10C higher.

Oddly the service book recommends Total Quartz 9000, which from the German company, is about £35 delivered for 5L, the "cheap"/unbranded stuff would be around £37 delivered, is a slight toss up though as the filters can be delivered with the cheap oil, whereas I can't get them from the German one. Would seem wise to go for the one in the service book though :)
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Re: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by oneday »

expensive oil over there just done mine with the total oil £19.10 for 5 ltr
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Re: Sv: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by robin92 »

Sorry for swedish:-)
Ben82
Har du kollat Citroënakuten?
Finns en som har liknande problem där.
Och cx Janne vet vilka oljer du ska köpa och inte :-)
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Re: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by Ben82 »

Hej robin92,

Unfortunately, I don't speak much Swedish (can understand more than I can speak), so when it comes to a specialist subject like car problems, it's best I talk to those speaking the same language :)

Have come across Citroenakuten for some searches before (e.g. about possibly using E85, and may have found the german company from there too), but have had to use google translate for most of it, which isn't that good. Maybe when my Swedish gets much better I can try joining in some conversations over there. :-D
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Re: Sv: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by robin92 »

Okey I can post link to the thread I mean.
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Re: Sv: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by robin92 »

http://citroenakuten.com/viewtopic.php?t=56945" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Xantia Activa 2.0 tct -96, Xantia Activa v6 - 00
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Re: C5 - Oil pressure insufficient

Post by Ben82 »

Thanks, I get the sense that there's a lot of sarcasm in that thread with regards to Biltema? (which I have been calling "Halfords" in this thread, since they are quite similar)

Also get the impression he's a fan of Castrol GTX 5W-30, and Engine Flushes (not sure if this is using something like Wynns, or the Engine Dialysis I've seen about).
2004 Citroen C5 3L V6 Auto
Brit living in Sweden with an imported from Germany French Car!
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