Simple one for all u gurus :)

manic_man · Unread post by **manic_man** » 18 May 2004, 23:11

Ok, im interested in all this stuff, but a complete noobie to it all sadly.
I just wanna check that something is ok on my Xantia (1997 TD) Now i dont know how blocks are constructed, however am i wrong in saying that the bit you see at the very top is the rocker cover? (the bit that is slightly above the level of the head bolts (i presume the four big bolts are the head bolts!) If im right, is it normal for this to weep a bit?
The area behind where the glowplugs are always has a slight film of damp oil on it. No oil loss as far as i cna see and it hasnt been overfilled. Its always been damp ever since i bought it about 6 months ago.
Im guessing ideally this wouldn't weep, but is it ok that its doing so?
Onto my second question. The large array of pulleys on the left hadn side of the engine bay (I have air con) have a rather expensive looking massive, very thick belt aorund them all. I noticed the other day, while checking fluid levels etc that where it had come to rest there was a nick out of the belt. Nothing to major, probably about a quarter of the total depth of the belt and about 5mm in length. Should i look at replacing the belt? If so, ne odea of the costs etc?
cheers

johnlyn · Unread post by **johnlyn** » 19 May 2004, 00:13

Sounds like you are talking about the rocker/cam box of which could seep oil, try tightening it down but be carefull only to specified torques, failing that a new gasket.
John

myheadhurts · Unread post by **myheadhurts** » 19 May 2004, 00:16

It is the rocker cover you can see and it would be better if it was not leaking.If you look at the top of the cover you can see 2 bolts one on the left , one to the right , check that they are both tight as in the past I have had the same problem on cars I have bought been caused by loose bolts.Just nip em up and you should be ok.Failing that the rubber gasket is not expensive and is simple to fit.
As for the belt you refer to CHANGE IT A.S.A.P it drives the hydraulic pump that supplies your brakes, suspension ,power steering etc etc.To put it bluntly if it snaps your in deep s**t.It costs less than £10 from gsf and is not that hard to fit....search the forum you'll find the info.

manic_man · Unread post by **manic_man** » 19 May 2004, 00:37

hmm, ok, there are actually 3 bolts visible at the top of the cover? Left right and centre ones?
IS there a torque value for these? Or am i ok to go out to my engine bay with a wrench and see if theres any play in em?

Re: the belt... being a student i dont have access to much money or indeed anywhere to work... im going to get it serviced by an independant specialist when i go back (£50 for a full service and the guy does a damn good job, even comes out 2 u!) ill ask him about the belt then, just have to hop nothing happens to it i spose :s I wouldnt even have noticed if it hadnt come to rest in the posistion it did... WHY didnt Citroen cover that assembly to stop stones flicking up at it (looks like whats happened...)
Also need to bleed the brakes i think.. i changed the accum sphere last weekend and it hasnt been used much this week (exams

) so when it went for a run today i noticed the "electric shaver" buzzing effect in the pedal as has been seen on here before....
newho, cheers guys

Robin · Unread post by **Robin** » 19 May 2004, 00:42

Yep, I agree with all of that. Changing the belt is a job that requires a good supply of tea and a quiet afternoon if you are unfamiliar with the details but possible for a newbie to the game. Make a note or sketch of the direction the belt runs round each pulley. If you don't have a manual the Haynes one will get you through. You do most of the work under the front wheel arch. A plastic panel is removed so you will need a good pair of stands. Please don't be tempted to work off the car jack.
Good luck, give your self time and try to enjoy it!
Robin

np · Unread post by np » 19 May 2004, 02:14

I had the same problem with my rocker gasket.Took about half an hour to change.You have to take off intercooler pipe over rocker cover.I got a gasket from local accesory shop,but a week later started to leak again.Went to Citroen and got one,about £7,no leaks since.
When tighting the bolts up,best to do them hand tight,then a little bit more with spanner.Dont do them up as tight as you can,you may snap them.
The belt needs to be changed ASAP.I had mine done at a speacalist,cost about £140,but i did need a new tensioner as well.Proberly be about £30-£60,depending on where you live.(if you dont fancy doing it your self)

ScottFromNZ · Unread post by **ScottFromNZ** » 19 May 2004, 09:13

If you overtighten the bolts onto a new gasket you may cause damage to the new gasket. It is a pain on turbo cars because if you don't tighten it enough the first time then it seeps a bit the intercooler has to come off again to retighten the cam cover bolts. Took me about half hour altogether to nip them up.

ScottFromNZ · Unread post by **ScottFromNZ** » 19 May 2004, 09:17

Regarding the timing belt. It is probably a good idea to change the tensioner at the same time as you already have the cover off and if the tensioner fails before the next belt change is due your new belt could snap. Also look at the water pump to check for leakage. If it is leaking at all replace this at the same time.
Some people recommend replacing cam seals as well as oil leakage onto a new belt can shorten it's life heaps.

np · Unread post by np » 19 May 2004, 12:32

[quote]Originally posted by ScottFromNZ
if you don't tighten it enough the first time then it seeps a bit the intercooler has to come off again to retighten the cam cover bolts.[quote]
On Xantias 95/96 on,the intercooler is in front of radiator.Only a I/C pipe goes over the rocker,easy to remove.

uhn113x · Unread post by **uhn113x** » 19 May 2004, 13:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">When tighting the bolts up,best to do them hand tight,then a little bit more with spanner.Dont do them up as tight as you can,you may snap them.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Better still, 'tight' them up to the correct torque
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The belt needs to be changed ASAP.I had mine done at a speacalist,cost about £140,but i did need a new tensioner as well.Proberly be about £30-£60,depending on where you live<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
£140 to change an alternator belt? [:(] I'm in the wrong job! [}:)] Sure it was not a cam belt? Manic man will have no problem changing this himself, even in a car park!

manic_man · Unread post by **manic_man** » 19 May 2004, 19:27

hehe, its not quite a car park luckily, but not much better (small side section cut into a main street...) You say "no problem" i think you might be wrong

Im surprisingly technically inept... :p
The engine itself has only covered 86k miles and beyond the slight seepage and the fact the aircon needs re gassing it doesnt have ne other problems (touch wood)
I have many exams in the next few weeks so probably wont even start the car up more than once. After they are over ill look at either doing it myself or if i chicken out (most likely) getting this guy to do it.
I cant see the belt just snapping under light usage? For all i know its been like that for a long time... i realise that you shouldnt risk anything when its belts, especially ones like this, so dont get me wrong, it will get done. As i said, just have to hope nothing happens to it in the meantime...
cheers

np · Unread post by np » 19 May 2004, 20:30

Mike,it was £173 to change my belt & tensioner.£78 4 the tensioner,£12 4 belt,& £82 4 labour.It was cold december when it was done(the tensioner bearing went)i had no garage to use.Plus access to it looked like a pig.
Cam belt,£340 to change at Citroen,£230 at same specalist,£145 all in!!!!at local main Peugeot dealer.All said it was a 4 hour job.Same PSA td engine,Peugeot more than half price of Citroen.Work that one out!!!!

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 19 May 2004, 22:24

And I thought I'd paid too much at £50 labour to do our ZX diesel cambelt! - had alternator/pump belt changed at the same time as he had to take it off anyway.
jeremy