New C5 owner with a few questions already

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KennyW
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by KennyW »

Graeme,

The steering rack is held to the sub frame by 2 nuts and double threaded bolts.
Simply support the rack with bungees or similar.
You can leave the TRE In place.
Keep spraying the nuts and bolts to be removed.
Kenny
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, moved on.
Xantia 2.0 Hdi 90hp 1999 only 189,000 and rising!!!!!!! Moved on to a new home
C3 1.4 petrol (SWMBO)
Xantia TD 1.9 Mk 2 Estate LX 1998 model over 210,000 miles now and still rising!!!!!!!!!!!!! now deceased 17/12/2010.
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

Hi Graeme - well you've been busy!

The tank you mentioned way back up there looks like the DPF additive tank if it's at the rear left of the fuel tank. It should have a heat shield / cover over it, but maybe you've taken that off to get to the rear centre spheres.
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Marc
aerodynamica
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by aerodynamica »

Hiya Marc, I'm not sure that mine has the additive tank?
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
aerodynamica
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by aerodynamica »

KennyW wrote: 10 Jan 2022, 22:25 Graeme,

The steering rack is held to the sub frame by 2 nuts and double threaded bolts.
Simply support the rack with bungees or similar.
You can leave the TRE In place.
Keep spraying the nuts and bolts to be removed.
Kenny
I see, so best to leave it in place. I suppose that makes sense so you don't have to disturb the pipes and steering column.

I -might- leave this until the spring because my plan was to carry out work on the Xantia over winter, mainly paint the bumpers and a couple of mech fixes namely determine why the ABS light comes on after a mile. And I'm also more likely to concentrate on the C5 rear pipes replacement because they're in need.
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

aerodynamica wrote: 11 Jan 2022, 09:57 Hiya Marc, I'm not sure that mine has the additive tank?
Yes all the X7 diesels have the additive tank, bar some early DW10BTED4 engines (but that was only for some countries and I've never encountered one yet without a DPF).

Yours definitely does, seen here as item (9):
aero tank.JPG
Your C5 has a Diesel Particulate Filter and therefore has an Eolys additive tank. When it needs topping up you will get a warning on the dashboard.

Natural regeneration of the particle filter occurs at exhaust gas temperatures of 450 °C and assisted regeneration occurs at 550 °C.
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Marc
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by aerodynamica »

Hi Marc thanks for confirming. Does the dashboard warning give you a count down until it refuses to start? I seem to recall reading here somewhere that the Eolys additive can be troublesome to find and/or has varieties that you have to choose correctly? Where is the filler for this additive because I didn't see it in the fuel filler or in the boot anywhere.

Actually, there is confusion - the plastic item I was asking about it the small black pyramid towards the lower right of the picture. It looks like some kind of transmitter or receiver or could be some type of motion detector.
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
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GiveMeABreak
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

No - this is a common mistake where owners can get confused over the Diesel Particulate Filter system and the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system. The countdown issue you have read about probably concerns the Adblue tank (UREA) in later diesels, which you don't have.

You only have the DPF system, not the SCR system.

DPF
Basically the DPF reduces 99.9% of harmful particulate matter being pumped out by trapping them in the filter and then regenerating (either by naturally occurring or by assisted regeneration) when the filter gets clogged up. The Eolys (or later fluids depending on build date) are injected in measured quantities whenever fuel is added to the tank. It's generally something that happens automatically and you can ignore.

SCR
This system was implemented on diesels on selected models from 2013 and is now on all newer diesels. This system is completely separate and takes care of the Nitrogen Oxide that would otherwise be emitted. This uses a tank of UREA (Adblue) that is injected directly into the catalytic converter and the reaction turns the NOx gasses into harmless water and nitrogen.

For a better visual understanding look at the system in action:

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Marc
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KennyW
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by KennyW »

Graeme
I can’t recall see that on mine but will have a look when I get back later.

Re sub frame if you need a hand let me know

Kenny
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, moved on.
Xantia 2.0 Hdi 90hp 1999 only 189,000 and rising!!!!!!! Moved on to a new home
C3 1.4 petrol (SWMBO)
Xantia TD 1.9 Mk 2 Estate LX 1998 model over 210,000 miles now and still rising!!!!!!!!!!!!! now deceased 17/12/2010.
aerodynamica
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by aerodynamica »

That's kind Kenny! I don't think I'd want to subject you to the woes of another old C5! I'm likely to have many questions though.

This additive filler, is it under the rear seat? I'm going to look. I don't recall seeing anything about this in the driver's manual (which I read end to end for fun - not even kidding :-D )
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
Hell Razor5543
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

As I understand it, you fill the additive from under the car, not within. Marc (if you were to ask him) would be able to advise you further.
James
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ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+

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GiveMeABreak
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by GiveMeABreak »

aerodynamica wrote: 11 Jan 2022, 16:46 That's kind Kenny! I don't think I'd want to subject you to the woes of another old C5! I'm likely to have many questions though.

This additive filler, is it under the rear seat? I'm going to look. I don't recall seeing anything about this in the driver's manual (which I read end to end for fun - not even kidding :-D )
Filling the additive tank is not deemed a user serviceable task so it not included in the manual as it is not particularly nice stuff to deal with. It should only ever need topping up once or twice during the lifetime of the vehicle.

It's an external tank next to the fuel tank - which is why I mentioned it in an earlier post regarding your rear suspension pipes when you asked about it. It is gravity fed and must be the correct type of additive fluid for your vehicle and build date. There are several types and some cannot be mixed together or bye bye additive tank / pump etc.
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Marc
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KennyW
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by KennyW »

Graeme,

Filled mine with additive about 5 years ago and it is relatively easy. Location additive tank is in front of rear near side tyre covered with a black plastic under shield. Depending which tank you fitted will determine where you fill it. With the additive I used it came with full instructions and necessary plastic tubing as Marc said it is gravity fed.

Kenny
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, moved on.
Xantia 2.0 Hdi 90hp 1999 only 189,000 and rising!!!!!!! Moved on to a new home
C3 1.4 petrol (SWMBO)
Xantia TD 1.9 Mk 2 Estate LX 1998 model over 210,000 miles now and still rising!!!!!!!!!!!!! now deceased 17/12/2010.
aerodynamica
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by aerodynamica »

Thaks all, information learned.
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
aerodynamica
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by aerodynamica »

New tyres yesterday because the fairly worn fronts became visibly quite worn in no time. I also noticed that there were a fairly new rear pair but they and the fronts were lower profile than standard at 225/50 R17 instead of 225/55 R17 so it looked like I'd be having to change all 4. I opted for Kwik Fit for the first time in a decade because buying on line allowed a 'pay in three' option and to be fair they fitted and balanced them well. Tyre fitter did mention the wheel alignment was 'out' but he wouldn't be specific and they were offering to adjust for about £60... after the 4 tyres costing over a third of what the car cost I declined (not least because the memory of the old Kwikfit reputation for scaring customers into additional work was still there) and also because I can check tracking with my Track Ace gadget. I've owned it about 3 years and it is honestly one of the better purchases in life. It allows you to check the wheel alignment to a fairly accurate degree with a simple laser-mirror-gauge arrangement. I chucked it on the C5 and right enough the front tracking was way out! over 2degrees toed-in.. no wonder the tyres were knackered.
I wanted my new tyres to last so quickly got to work checking the track rods and found the right had more threads showing than the left. This explained why the steering wheel wasn't straight when driving. It had only shown up after changing the outer lower arm bushes to I assume the collapsed bushes somehow hid the misalignment or the previous owner actually moved the tracking to compensate for knackered bushings...
tracking check
tracking check
..actually off the scale
..actually off the scale
RH rod had 10 threads showing... this is apparently too many. Nice feature is the removable clip on the steering boot.
RH rod
RH rod
And incredibly, the tracking was very easy to adjust - even both rods loosened for the task... with many other things on the X7 seemingly 'impossible' it's nice to see they have kept it real with the simple things in life. Like track rods. OK, the tracking on the DS was 'tres complique' but at least I had comprehensive factory service manuals for the whole set up and with all the lift off body panels, the full steering of the D was quite adjustable. But on the C5 I even managed to adjust the LH rod without removing the wheel....

First check of it beginning to reach a sensible measurement:
second measurement after adjustment
second measurement after adjustment
looking better - a half turn on each side now perhaps.
looking better - a half turn on each side now perhaps.
Eventually I had the tracking set to zero which I think I read on another thread as the value for a 2.0 Hdi with 17" wheels. I think the setting is 0 degrees to 0 degrees and 9 degree minute, which is a very small difference. Even if this isn't right, it's a good starting point for a FWD car anyway. And driving to test on the motorway shows the steering wheel is straight, and it feels a lot better with less of a tendency to wander. In fact it feels a lot more planted than before but then again the more than 2 degrees toe in is very maladjusted. So now I hope my new tyres can last out..
Graeme M
2008 C5 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDi
RichardW
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Re: New C5 owner with a few questions already

Unread post by RichardW »

Interesting on the Track Ace - I was thinking about buying one, seeing it in action successfully is persuasive! They are not much more than a single adjustment these days.
Richard W