Citroen C15 compatible engines for engine replacement

[Hydra]

Hi all

I have a 2002 C15 Champ van - it started overheating after the recent cold weather - it had antifreeze in it, but I suspect not enough. The garage have checked the radiator, hoses, water pump etc and found leaking at the engine housing, they suspect head gasket or cracked block - I am going to try some SteelSeal in it, but I am thinking of looking for a replacement engine. Can anyone tell me if peugeot engines are compatible? Or if not, ar there any engines other than the standard that may be able to fit the C15?

[van ordinaire]

Wow, where in the S.W. did it get that cold?

Anyway, bad luck BUT let's see what we can do; pretty sure yours is late enough to have the DW8 lump - so any PSA model with that engine. Might be worth asking on the Pug forum, which models used it.

Alternatively, it should be possible to fit any 1.8, 1.9 or, presumably, 2.0 diesel, although the further you depart from standard the less straightforward the job will be. An XUD, as fitted to the earlier C15 probably wouldn't cause too many problems, while a TDI, while potentially interesting, might just be more trouble than it's worth.

[GiveMeABreak]

I can’t see how you can fit an HDi (I presume that’s what you mean by a TDi) to a C15 without all the associated electronic ECUs to make it work, yet alone a BSI to control everything? I just can’t see that working at all.

[van ordinaire]

Whoops, alphabet soup'll be my undoing. I thought that was the point I was making - but, yes, you'd need an aweful lot more than the engine from the donor vehicle.

[GiveMeABreak]

That's what I thought Van!

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

by all means chuck some Steelseal in it and see if it works, but do be 'careful' of spending an appreciable amount of money with a garage on an engine for a 15yr old van

....these things can have a way of 'getting out of hand'. £200 becomes £300, £400... etc, etc...

If the Steelseal doesn't do it, have a look see what else is available in terms of alternative vehicles at what cost, within the sort of radius that you're prepared to travel

If you can do it yourself, a DW8 should be really easy to put your hands on, they're fitted to lots of different PSA vehicles. The place I use charges only £50 for a s/h lump (untested btw); but labour, timing belt kit and anything unforeseen can multiply that alarmingly.

[Hydra]

Thanks for the replies all -

van ordinaire: It didn't feel cold enough to crack the block, but the problem did begin after the coldest night the other week. The car had been losing water due to an obvious leak in the radiator, which was patched up with K seal for a while, now there is a new rad in. It just overheats after about 4 mins driving and the garage found a a leak at the engine housing so prob gasket or cracked block, I suspect block because it runs OK, no smoke and no oil and water mixing.

Would an engine from a Peugeot of similar age be compatible? I think they have XUDs? A friend has an old rusted out Peugeot lying around which I can have for nothing, can't remember if it is a 205 or 206, could even be 300 series


Pug: Yes I have considered selling as spares, I am loathe to do so because I've spent 600 quid on various jobs in the last 6 months and only bought the van a year ago with just 85k on the clock, and it has a long MOT, a few cosmetic jobs to do but otherwise a decent example.

I can't fit an engine myself - at least, don't think I can, I can do a radiator! Budget is limited right now and you never know what you're truly buying so I'd rather stick with it than leap into the unknown with another cheap van! So I'm hoping to try and get a very cheap engine and get it fitted for less than about £350 - am I being optimistic?

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

Optimistic.... I really don't know; but you always gotta do what feels right for you.

With regard to your mate's car, stick its reg in here https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/ and see whether it comes up with the same CC as your C15's rated at, that'll (I think) tell you if its the same lump, pretty sure the DW8's 1868cc; stick your own reg' in too, see if the specs 'match'.

If its not, you can always use a proprietary sales site such as AutoTrader or Wiki to check out a particular model & year of Peugeot Citroen of a particular year has the correct engine; likewise applies to cars in the scrappies, long as they've still got their plates on em. Just note the reg'n and key it in.

I know the 'quandary' you find yourself in, I've been there and its not fun. Good luck!

[van ordinaire]

There's a C15 being broken in Helston or if that's too SW, another in Dorset (I think, check out eBay for details) but, given the hard life a lot of C15's have lead, the lump out of, say, a 205 or 309, might be a better choice.

The DW8 IS 1868cc, the earlier - XUD - engine is 1700+

If your mate's car is a 205, you're in luck 'cos under that Visa sheet metal, so is a C15! However, I'd get it running in the Pug before agreeing to take it off his hands.

As FWD cars go, I think these are easier than most to do engine swaps (certainly easier than either of my Cadillacs -lol) but, must admit, I fought shy of doing the cambelt &, later, the clutch in my C15.

The when to stop spending money on any given vehicle decision is always a tricky one, one I've struggled with all my (motoring) life, but, on the basis of what you've posted, I'd rather take a chance on another engine than another van, especialy one costing about the same.