Hi,
I'll be taking delivery of a one owner 60k Aura TD at the end of the week. Having had experience of three head gasket and matrix failures on my 306 1.9 xld (eventually tracked down to a blocked radiator)I would like to make a pre-emptive strike on the potential problem and wondered where to start.
First thing I'd guess would be to check on the integrity of the system and get it checked out after picking the car up. Any ideas how to go about this. I've browsed the forum and seen something about running the car with the radiator cap off looking for bubbles and some product called a.r.e.
Also would it be wise to change the coolant fluid with a particular brand and have it bled by a citroen specialist. Also possibly the radiator?
Has anybody done something similar and what would they recommend?
Any other tips gratefully received.
Thanks
Brian
P.S. I've not checked the entire forum but how about two permanent topics; one on what to do to prevent head gasket/matrix failure and the other what to do when it goes belly-up?
ZX 1.9 TD Aura 1994 Head Gasket Query
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Jon
Hi
I'd start by checking the radiator. If you ZX hasn't had a new rad already, its probably due for one! Check for leaks/corrosion along the bottom of the rad. Also, with the car hot, ensure that all of the rad gets hot, if its cold along the bottom then its silted up and needs replacing or very severe flushing.
If all checks out OK, then drain off all the old coolant and replace with at least 3 litres of genuine Citroen antigel and the rest water.
Another thing worth thinking about would be to get the cooling system pressure tested. This is when air is pumped into the cooling system via a tool that fits on the radiator and a guage shows any drop in pressure. A good system should hold 15 PSI for some minutes. If there is a very sudden drop, you may have an immediately apparent leak (water will gush out), (the plastic water housing on the back of the engine is a favourite), if there is no external water loss there may be problems with the h/gasket.
Lastly, I'd recommend buying and fitting a new rad cap, very likely yours will be unable to hold pressure if your ZX is anything like the last 3 I've owned.
I'd start by checking the radiator. If you ZX hasn't had a new rad already, its probably due for one! Check for leaks/corrosion along the bottom of the rad. Also, with the car hot, ensure that all of the rad gets hot, if its cold along the bottom then its silted up and needs replacing or very severe flushing.
If all checks out OK, then drain off all the old coolant and replace with at least 3 litres of genuine Citroen antigel and the rest water.
Another thing worth thinking about would be to get the cooling system pressure tested. This is when air is pumped into the cooling system via a tool that fits on the radiator and a guage shows any drop in pressure. A good system should hold 15 PSI for some minutes. If there is a very sudden drop, you may have an immediately apparent leak (water will gush out), (the plastic water housing on the back of the engine is a favourite), if there is no external water loss there may be problems with the h/gasket.
Lastly, I'd recommend buying and fitting a new rad cap, very likely yours will be unable to hold pressure if your ZX is anything like the last 3 I've owned.
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Brian Oblivion
- Posts: 98
- Joined: 19 Jan 2004, 14:48
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philhoward
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Jon</i>
Lastly, I'd recommend buying and fitting a new rad cap, very likely yours will be unable to hold pressure if your ZX is anything like the last 3 I've owned.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Makes a change from Xantias...their pressure caps don't seem to release pressure = exploding rad! My dads old 2.0i 94 Xantia suffered the exploding rad..whilst being MoT'd. A quick check with a pressure gauge, and it didn't release with 40psi on it...
The car died due to the hydraulic pump disintegrating. Back up for sale recently I see with "ABS problem"...
Lastly, I'd recommend buying and fitting a new rad cap, very likely yours will be unable to hold pressure if your ZX is anything like the last 3 I've owned.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Makes a change from Xantias...their pressure caps don't seem to release pressure = exploding rad! My dads old 2.0i 94 Xantia suffered the exploding rad..whilst being MoT'd. A quick check with a pressure gauge, and it didn't release with 40psi on it...
The car died due to the hydraulic pump disintegrating. Back up for sale recently I see with "ABS problem"...