Hello all,
It has been a long since I posted an inquiry. but as my 2008 C5 has been behaving it self and I have been working on a Lancia Appia3 there has been no reason to post.
However I now inquire about the need to change the cam belts. It is recommended to change them after 10 years or 100 000 km. My car has only done 56 000 km.
What is the experience on the need to abide with the time limit recommendation?
Parts of the upholstery, particularly the central tunnel have become very sticky. The car is always parked in a closed garage so I must rule out sunlight as a cause.
Is this a common problem with Citroens?
Thanking you,
Regards.
cam belt replacement and upholstery,
Moderator: RichardW
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GiveMeABreak
- Forum Admin Team
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Re: cam belt replacement and upholstery,
Yes, always change the belt at the recommended intervals or earlier.
Both the 3.0 HDI and the 3.0 ES9A Petrol (as I'm not sure which you have) should be replaced at 180,000 kilometres, not a 100,000 for reference or 10 years - whichever comes soonest.
This is under 'Arduous' conditions, which is what Citroen designate South Africa's climate as.
As for the plastics, I think you may find that age related - some plastics have plasticisers or chemicals to soften them or make them pliable. Over time these rise to the surface and evaporate, bringing other elements of the plastic to the surface and mix with cleaners, oils and other contaminants from cleaning or oils from the hands. This reaction is what causes the sticky feel. I've not yet had this happen ion a car, but then we don't have the climate you have there.
I have had this issue with computer accessories and used isopropyl alcohol cleaners to remove as much of the stickiness as I could. I would not recommend that for any painted internal trim as that stuff is pretty thin as it is and it will just remove the lacquer and paint. But for rubber or hard plastic, you might try soap and water or some vinyl dressing to remove the residual.
Some years ago on my X7 the painted plastic coating on the door handle trims was peeling off - especially on the passenger side (probably caused from rings on fingers). It was woefully thin as it was. So I removed the lot - front and rear doors, removed all the paint and lacquer and cleaned, primed and re-painted these in the body work colour (I had the leather beige interior) and the trim was the same as the bodywork. So I had some paint made up to match and over a week I resprayed and re-lacquered them with about 3 coats of paint and lacquer. They were hard as nails after that
Both the 3.0 HDI and the 3.0 ES9A Petrol (as I'm not sure which you have) should be replaced at 180,000 kilometres, not a 100,000 for reference or 10 years - whichever comes soonest.
This is under 'Arduous' conditions, which is what Citroen designate South Africa's climate as.
As for the plastics, I think you may find that age related - some plastics have plasticisers or chemicals to soften them or make them pliable. Over time these rise to the surface and evaporate, bringing other elements of the plastic to the surface and mix with cleaners, oils and other contaminants from cleaning or oils from the hands. This reaction is what causes the sticky feel. I've not yet had this happen ion a car, but then we don't have the climate you have there.
I have had this issue with computer accessories and used isopropyl alcohol cleaners to remove as much of the stickiness as I could. I would not recommend that for any painted internal trim as that stuff is pretty thin as it is and it will just remove the lacquer and paint. But for rubber or hard plastic, you might try soap and water or some vinyl dressing to remove the residual.
Some years ago on my X7 the painted plastic coating on the door handle trims was peeling off - especially on the passenger side (probably caused from rings on fingers). It was woefully thin as it was. So I removed the lot - front and rear doors, removed all the paint and lacquer and cleaned, primed and re-painted these in the body work colour (I had the leather beige interior) and the trim was the same as the bodywork. So I had some paint made up to match and over a week I resprayed and re-lacquered them with about 3 coats of paint and lacquer. They were hard as nails after that
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Ceenine
- Posts: 89
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- x 3
Re: cam belt replacement and upholstery,
Marc, I doubt you used 2 pak paint which would be the only type (read hardness) capable of resisting the ravages of women’s nails and rings. I believe the fault lies in the nature of the driving which causes the nervous behaviour of the passenger. The damage would have occurred prior to your ownership of course.
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GiveMeABreak
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exasperated
- Posts: 22
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Re: cam belt replacement and upholstery,
Hello All,
Thanks for the replies. I will have to have the belts changed , better safe than sorry. I can only imagine the cost of dealing with the cost of repairing the damage to the engine resulting from broken belts.
Regarding the sticky upholstery I have tried many different cleaners without success. The solution, i now feel, is to cover the affected areas with suede type of material in the same colour as the plastic. A big job but worth the effort. I have a 1938 Packard which used this material for the door cards. It is easy to work with, strong and thin.
Regards,
Exasperated.
Thanks for the replies. I will have to have the belts changed , better safe than sorry. I can only imagine the cost of dealing with the cost of repairing the damage to the engine resulting from broken belts.
Regarding the sticky upholstery I have tried many different cleaners without success. The solution, i now feel, is to cover the affected areas with suede type of material in the same colour as the plastic. A big job but worth the effort. I have a 1938 Packard which used this material for the door cards. It is easy to work with, strong and thin.
Regards,
Exasperated.