daddyuk

Amazingly my 03 C3 Hdi Excusive until last week had been totally reliable. Last Saturday after a 220 mile journey to Dover and a channel hop Emily decided she had been good long enough. Suddenly, the top red marker of the temp gauge started flashing.... well, what better place than France for her to throw a tantrum. I found the water level well below the minimum, taking 1.5 litres of best bottled water to bring it back to the normal level. I eventually got back home after needing to add a litre of water every 70 miles. My Citroen specialist soon found the problem. At the rear of the engine is a twin solid/corrugated water hose assembly. A nightmare to access and an even bigger one to replace. One of the corrugated pipe bends had split allowing a large leak. My specialist told me this was the third such car he had encountered with this problem, all on 03 models. This pipe assembly is impossible to inspect unless all the top engine ancillaries are dismantled. Moral, keep a close eye on your water levels. Emily has only done 32000 miles and serviced annually. All the other water hoses are in perfect condition so this may be a manufacturing problem. I have written to customer services and await their response. :blink:

My personal view on this is that whilst the owner reports that 'they clearly had never been changed' it should also be considered that with regard to pollen filters and air filters they are replaced annually or every 12,500 miles on this model. At a year old they do look dirty, they are blocked.........thats why they're replaced......I think it would be unwise to mention names on the basis that nothing is proven. The last main dealer service in February 2006 showed an odemeter reading of 20,000 miles. When serviced at the specialist it was 27,300. I actually saw both filters removed and they were truly filthy. It was obvious they hadnt been changed at the dealer service.

The independant is Technically Autos Citroen and Peugot specialists, withy rd Bilston 01902 354774 My ex Citroen garage was Goodfellows, Walsall Rd Aldridge walsall. They are peugot dealers but authorised citroen repairers.

Emily my C3 HDI exclusive has just passed her third birthday. Throughtout its warranty life it was religiously serviced by main dealers. Concerned about the quote for a 30000 service(£280) from them I took my car to an independant citroen specialist on the outskirts of Wolverhampton who once used to service my 2CV6. The quote for this service £100 which included fully synthetic oil. I was able to watch the technician servicing the car and i was astonished at the state of the air and pollen filters. They had clearly never been changed despite being charged for them both on two previous services. The car runs better than ever now, and yes they do have the diagnostic equipment. I shall be using them as long as I own a Citroen. I am unsure as to whether it is politic to name the independant, perhaps a moderator will advise.