Xsara Picasso 08 plate 1.6 diesel

[Stonehopper]

Well, new to the Picasso having just received delivery, and not sure where to place these questions/comments. So if they are in the wrong place - apologies.

There's 123,000 miles on the clock. It has lots of service history though the last was in 2019. Purchased unseen, except for images.
Seller (trade) was to MOT it prior to delivery, it failed; leaky injector, cill corrosion both sides, front right coil spring (suspension) fractured. Seller got all work done at his expense and it passed - no advisories.
Never had a Picasso before, very impressed. But under the plastic engine cover revealed an oily mess. The injector seal was claimed to be the culprit that caused one of the items on the first 'fail' ticket, and pulling the dipstick out showed a stick that is different to the images in the cars handbook. Correct me if I am wrong, but the plastic tip appears to be the MAX/MIN levels?

The trunking from the back of the engine to the turbo keeps popping off. No big issue, but investigation needed.

ISSUE: the heater plug warning light does not come on. Starting from hot is instantaneous. Starting from cold produces blue/white smoke and slightly 'lumpy' engine, but the smoke disappears after 50 seconds and runs clear. Glow plug problems? Or electrical? Could be either, or both I guess. Again, comments welcomed.

Clearly it is in need of a service, oils and filters.

Two keys supplied - the electronic one damaged, missing the buttons, and possibly more to the point - missing a vital 'clicker' button as shown. The 'unlock' clicker is present, the 'lock' clicker is missing. A new cover has been purchased (£3.95), and at the very least it will keep out debris from pockets. A new battery is in the post, but I fancy I will only have the remote 'unlock' function available. There is a number on a stuck-on label on the battery holder of 338.7, which I will take as the frequency for this key. No big loss if it fails. Any advice of replacing keys welcomed. Why anyone would gouge out the push buttons beats me.
Black circle shows the missing 'button' in the red circle.




Red lined section apt to flop about.

[deuchebleu]

Derek,
The plastic end on that dipstick has broken off, a common problem. There is a flatter section below that which has the oil levels marked on, so if you have oil on that bit then it is overfilled.

[Stonehopper]

Aah! Thanks for that. The images in the handbook are of a different type, the more usual flat steel with notches. I had wondered if it was a replacement from some other vehicle.

New dipstick in the post!
--------------
Arrived today 12th March. Fitted - Definitely over-filled!

[Stonehopper]

Re. The key.
With a new battery, the key works for the 'unlock' no problem, and bridging the gap for the 'lock' function with a paperclip, so too does that. Just have to concoct something to replace the missing internal button.

[GiveMeABreak]

I'd certainly get that leaky injector seal sorted as it will soon fill the interior of the vehicle with fumes. My relative's old 1.6 had the same issue and despite having the seals torqued multiple times it always came back, so probably needed further intervention / replacement, but she sold it on shortly afterwards (with the issue declared). Yours sems to have the start of the dreaded black tar which can lead to turbo failure.

Have a good watch of this video, which explains the black tar seen on yours above, and the causes of the well-known Turbo failure:

[Stonehopper]

Thanks Marc, I have been advised that the leaky seal was one of the MOT fails as listed, and that it was replaced . . . ! Re-tested, it passed with no advisories. That cost the seller £600 (it included cill welding and front right suspension coil spring replacement). You would have thought the area around the injectors would have been VERY clean after such work. This raises doubts as to the quality of work done - and if it WAS done.

In car fumes: Once we had the car, I did smell diesel exhaust fumes after short runs. And yet, after having run it for 200 miles, they have gone - nothing. Needs a damn good clean under bonnet; a service, and watch for issues. Folk I have heard who had such cars have spoken of them very highly. We shall see.

Edited to add: Will watch that video now. (With trepidation!).

[GiveMeABreak]

He's very clear and explains how that oil can turn to tar that then gets into the seals and circulates causing blockages and oil starvation once it then carbonises under the temperature. So I'd definitely get it cleaned up sooner rather than later to prevent it becoming a major problem.

[Stonehopper]

Thanks. Watched that, and another on turbo checking and replacement. Nightmare!

Edited to add: This firm gets a good write up: https://best-turbos.com/

[Stonehopper]

Well, the replacement dipstick has broken! Two and a half months from new! The skinny plastic stem snapped in half two thirds the way down on retraction.
Past the 'returns' date, but the seller has offered a replacement. I have ordered a metal one from France instead. Less than a tenner.

Fumes in the cabin have returned Motorway run involving 300+ miles returned 53.8mpg. Happy with that. 43mpg on local runs, country roads in hilly Salop.
Definitely NOT impressed with the speedometer outside the drivers direct vision, especially in bright Sunlight. Must put new bulbs in the display. Or fit a digital cycle speedo in line of sight. Innovative and 'stylish' it might be - but naff! Nice ride though, and a great load carrier.