Citroen with Failing Piston Rings and High Oil Consumption

[Eliska]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some advice regarding a serious issue with my Citroen. The car is still under finance, but it’s been experiencing major problems lately. Here’s the full story:

My car has been deemed irreparable by multiple mechanics presumably due to failing piston rings. It has had an inspection for leaks, mechanic has test drove it, diagnostic showed jumped timing which was sorted. Passed emissions test multiple times, wet belt was fully replaced setting me back £300 alone. No smoke from exhaust absolutely nothing indicating why the oil consumption is crazy high. So mechanics put it down to worn pistons however advised not to investigate further as would require engine taking out and seeing as I’ve already spent to much money trying to get this vehicle right it’s just not worth it. I’m currently adding about a liter of oil every few days just to keep it running, when the oil gets low engine starts grinding and car juddering at speed though it still drives fine for now. However, I don't anticipate it will last much longer under these conditions.


I've spoken to Citroen, but they refused to help since the car is out of warranty. They mentioned that because the car was serviced at a different garage, they can’t guarantee that the correct oil grade was used, which they believe might have contributed to the problem.

I’ve been researching online and found that this seems to be a common fault with these specific pure tech engines, which makes me feel like I might have been mis-sold the car.

Here are my main questions:
1. Has anyone else experienced this issue with their Citroen or a similar car? If so, how did you handle it?
2. Are there any known solutions or workarounds for the failing piston rings, or is the car truly irreparable as the mechanics have suggested?
3. What options do I have regarding my finance agreement, given the current state of the vehicle?
4. Any advice on dealing with Citroen or the finance company to seek some form of resolution?

Any help or advice from those who have been through something similar would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[xantia_v6]

I would be helpful if you mentioned which model of engine is fitted to your C3 and what mileage has it done.

[GiveMeABreak]

Unfortunately any goodwill from Citroen is literally down to each individual case and they're correct in that servicing (and checks) have to be undertaken to Citroen's specification and although that does not mean you cannot have your vehicle serviced outside the dealer network, the burden of proof is then on you to show that all the requisite checks and servicing have been undertaken annually and to the recommendations. You'll need documentary evidence of this.

Most of the issues on this vehicle are known to be concerning the wet belt and this is why the servicing interval for the belt is generally a lot shorter so that a replacement belt of a newer specification can be fitted. Therefore, both the correct oil grade AND specification is essential on these engines. If the garages you have used have not put the correct specification oil in then this can certainly lead to problems.

As you've been told, the labour cost to examine the rings is unlikely to be cost-effective. There's unlikely to be any mis-selling here as it is the owner's responsibility to ensure the vehicle is correctly serviced and it's why new owners should always consider having it dealership maintained - certainly within the warranty period and if then one makes the choice to go elsewhere outside the network, to make sure you have all the servicing and checks evidenced.

The Finance company I suspect won't be concerned with the vehicle's status - only the repayments, depending on your agreement.

Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh, but I suggest you speak to the finance company or read your agreement to see if this is the case. Depending on how much finance is owing on the vehicle, you may be better off getting shot of it (we buy any car dot com or similar) if it's still driveable and you may be able to use what they offer to pay off some of the finance and start again. You won't get the best price of course, but then you won't have to put up with the hassle and problem of trying to sell a faulty car. They will generally give you a valuation on their website subject to you then taking it in for a quick look over.

My friend just took his 2015 Ford in after it has some warnings with the ABS and some other issues that they did not want to spend the money on fixing and did exactly this. Got about £2600 and used this towards a replacement.

[Eliska]

I would be helpful if you mentioned which model of engine is fitted to your C3 and what mileage has it done.

2016 1000cc engine done 58k miles

[Eliska]

Unfortunately any goodwill from Citroen is literally down to each individual case and they're correct in that servicing (and checks) have to be undertaken to Citroen's specification and although that does not mean you cannot have your vehicle serviced outside the dealer network, the burden of proof is then on you to show that all the requisite checks and servicing have been undertaken annually and to the recommendations. You'll need documentary evidence of this.

Most of the issues on this vehicle are known to be concerning the wet belt and this is why the servicing interval for the belt is generally a lot shorter so that a replacement belt of a newer specification can be fitted. Therefore, both the correct oil grade AND specification is essential on these engines. If the garages you have used have not put the correct specification oil in then this can certainly lead to problems.

As you've been told, the labour cost to examine the rings is unlikely to be cost-effective. There's unlikely to be any mis-selling here as it is the owner's responsibility to ensure the vehicle is correctly serviced and it's why new owners should always consider having it dealership maintained - certainly within the warranty period and if then one makes the choice to go elsewhere outside the network, to make sure you have all the servicing and checks evidenced.

The Finance company I suspect won't be concerned with the vehicle's status - only the repayments, depending on your agreement.

Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh, but I suggest you speak to the finance company or read your agreement to see if this is the case. Depending on how much finance is owing on the vehicle, you may be better off getting shot of it (we buy any car dot com or similar) if it's still driveable and you may be able to use what they offer to pay off some of the finance and start again. You won't get the best price of course, but then you won't have to put up with the hassle and problem of trying to sell a faulty car. They will generally give you a valuation on their website subject to you then taking it in for a quick look over.

My friend just took his 2015 Ford in after it has some warnings with the ABS and some other issues that they did not want to spend the money on fixing and did exactly this. Got about £2600 and used this towards a replacement.

It has been serviced regularly as per the specifications at reputable garages, the service documents state that fully synthetic oil was used and I’ve tried taking this further with Citroen care however they need specific details about the oil which is impossible to retrieve from each garage as some of them had done the service years ago.

I agree with all you have said, and think I may have to go down the route of we buy any car.

[Gibbo2286]

One little warning about 'we buy any car', if you get on offer and don't accept it they'll plague you with follow up emails. I did it on my previous Zoe and despite telling them repeatedly that it's gone I'm still getting emails, got one this morning, marking them as spam now.

[GiveMeABreak]

It has been serviced regularly as per the specifications at reputable garages, the service documents state that fully synthetic oil was used and I’ve tried taking this further with Citroen care however they need specific details about the oil which is impossible to retrieve from each garage as some of them had done the service years ago.

I agree with all you have said, and think I may have to go down the route of we buy any car.

That's likely to be a contributary factor, as it's not about a synthetic oil or not but ensuring the oil that meets their exact standards. They even change this periodically as required on some engines. Normally, the service invoice should state the oil grade and type, so this is going to be almost impossible if you're unable to obtain the evidence.

It does sort of come down to spending a shed load of money with potential additional hidden costs down the line if they find something else, so you may be making the right decision to be shot of it.

[Stickyfinger]

Big company designs a pile of over sensitive crap and when it fails wriggles out of their responsibility Shocker.............

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, we're also facing issues with the 1.5 Blue HDIs (failure of the 7mm camshaft chain) which also affects my vehicle. They're aware of it across the range where this engine is fitted, but won't lift a finger to replace the entire kit / engine which includes an 8mm chain, unless there are actually noises coming from the timing area - by which time the damage is already being done and needs the replacement kit.

I know of a few different PSA models where this has just failed without notice. Shocking that there's no recall for this.

We really need to change the law here, like they have in the USA where class actions rule - as in the case of the Ford Wet Timing Belts - they're getting it sorted but Ford in Europe were doing diddly squat until recently.

[Eliska]

Big company designs a pile of over sensitive crap and when it fails wriggles out of their responsibility Shocker.............

I wish I’d have known how problematic the engines & belts are before I purchased the car. First time buyer & the sales man at the garage recommended this vehicle as it’s reliable and great on fuel

[Stickyfinger]

I assume it was not a Citroen dealer but an indi-seller ?

[Stickyfinger]

We really need to change the law here, like they have in the USA where class actions rule - as in the case of the Ford Wet Timing Belts - they're getting it sorted but Ford in Europe were doing diddly squat until recently.

100%.....but it will never happen.....way to many countries/legal systems/loop holes/hands in pockets/brown envelopes

[GiveMeABreak]

Well I'm doing my little bit making it well-known as far as I can through some sources in the hope that forewarned is fore armed and I hope PSA will start to be a bit more proactive. The feeling of sitting on a ticking time bomb is not particularly enjoyable.

[Stickyfinger]

Time bomb ?

If it gets past the warrantee period/off their books they will not care.....PSA..(now StelliWhatsit...same head just fatter) have never given a ducks backside for their 2nd hand market, it is not in their nature to do so and they do not sell the type of cars that demand it. This is even more true these days as these type of "brands" are just plastic badges stuck on a few slightly tweaked body parts.

I for one am just left confused by car clubs etc that wax lyrical about their loyalty to such brands latest "fridge".....gullible @@@ats.
I get it with "the classics" but that is about that car, it is definitely NOT because of any loyally given to them by the brand these days (last 20+ (or more) years.....this engine design fault will just further confirm my thinking..(in markets they can get away with it in, eg Europe. There is a good reason they do not like the idea of the US market, the @@it flies back at you over there.

Sticky's rant of the day !

[GiveMeABreak]

Even with a 5 year period to cover this, that doesn't help low mileage owners like me with 24K in just over 4 years...