TLDR; I'm hoping for advice on what I should be replacing (do these things have intervals for parts that I am missing?), watching out for, and getting dealt with now the van is on 98,000 miles and I have a looming 3 month trip to Spain. Advice on people who could help also much appreciated.
Sorry, this is probably going to be a long one... I've had my 2014 Relay (2.2L puma engine) camper for about 2 1/2 years now and has been mechanically sound the whole time (some electrical issues, but I've come to accept those as part and parcel as the life of a Citroen owner). I take this van out for 3 months at a time for long trips to Europe, Scotland etc. and I'm beginning to feel like my days are numbered with this van not having something break, and I'm hoping to get some preventative work done to a few things that sound 'off' to my untrained ear. I've ummed and ahhed about just selling her and getting something newer, but I am quite attached to this van and the layout is perfect. A new van would cost more, take forever to convert, may still have issues etc. Like I say, nothing has actually gone wrong, I'm being a little paranoid.
I am mechanically illiterate and would love to be able to just replace things and maintain the van myself rather than relying on (in my experience) bad mechanics who don't care. Would really love to find someone who knows their stuff about Citroen/Fiat/Peugeot vans and is willing to listen and help me tick these things off, or at least reliably assure me what I am hearing, and if they need to be sorted, without making me feel silly (especially as a woman). Either a good garage, or even better if there is someone out there anywhere in the country who I could pay for their time and they could show me around themself that would be an absolute goldmine to me (wishful thinking, I know).
1) When I bought it, it had an irregular ticking noise when cold under the bonnet (irregular in sound, but the pattern of the sound 'loops' every second or so if that makes sense) and the sound remains to this day with little to no change. It speeds up to a regular sounding metallic rattle when I press the throttle. I've had this listened to by a few different mechanics, they all say it is not the chain (or just outright claim that all Citroens sound like that which is not true lol)... but I'm worried it is and they are just fobbing me off. Should I just get this replaced 'just in case'? I know it's expensive but I guess engine failure is more so. I had a Citroen garage tell me it was probably the water pump a while back.
Possibly related to the above is that on start up, whether long into a drive and warm or cold, I head a fast rattle for the first second which then vanishes. Again, chain?
2) Regular ticking from outside, and a lower quiet thumpy noise heard in cab, on cold start up, gone when warm. Increases in speed with engine. Injectors?
3) Should I get the crankshaft pulley replaced as I have heard they can break apart and cause damage. Could also be causing ticking or rattles? I know where this pulley is located so could I remove the cover under the van and look for myself? Advice?
4) When idle at traffic lights I hear a very quiet low-pitch whiney/hum noise. If I push the accelerator even a tiny amount (clutch has no affect), the sound instantly stops.
5) I would like to take off the engine cover for my van and look at the injectors myself and try and listen to the chain throught the cover with a long screwdriver but it seems to be awkward to remove with clips and screws- does anyone have instructions for removing and replacing?
6) Any thoughts on the oil pump issues known with this engine and whether I should replace?
7) I read somewhere that belts, pulleys, tensioner, and water pump should be changed at 80k. Thoughts? I had a new alternator belt kit about 20k miles ago.
8) Lastly, she's in for a possible coolant leak tomorrow and while there I'm going to ask for a look at/listen to her bearings as she makes a very quiet whirring noise when I turn wide corners at speed. Pretty sure it's not the power steering as it seems to be related to fast cornering and weight distribution of the van rather than just the fact that I'm turning the wheel, but maybe I'm wrong.
As you can see, I'm worried about a lot of things and have clue how to deal with them myself. My brain runs away with things. I also know diesels do 'just make noises' etc but I just want to cover my bases and do my best to keep this van going for another 100k. Taking my van to a garage with this list makes me look completely insane. I don't know where to start. Just wish I was more mechanical and had friends with knowledge to help.
Any thoughts are gladly welcomed! Thanks for reading all this way!
-BertieBird
