Oil Change

[winnie]

I have a 2001 diesel estate 2000 cc 110, I dipped the oil and it looks black but reading on the full mark, I was thinking it may pay me to change the oil, I have done oil changes on Fords but a very long time ago.

What would be helpful is what is the best oil to use and is it still, just undo the engine drain plug on the sump, drain old oil, put in new.

Pat 

[paul.h]

That is just about it but also replace the filter which is inside a plastic cover needing a large socket to undo - replace the large O-ring seal on the cover but this will come with the filter a metal canister type. A diesel engine oil will always look black so do not worry about the colour, just check when it was last done. The car handbook/maintenance book will give the service interval (probably 2 years or 20k miles, whichever sooner) 12000 miles for this engine and the oil to use. The filter should include a new drain plug washer if from a dealer but if not buy one anyway - the dealer price is often a lot less than from a car accessory shop, being less than £1. The drain plug uses a 8mm hex bit to undo it (from memory so may be wrong).

[Johndouglas]

Diesel engine oil very quickly goes black so that's no indication.   The recommended interval for your particular engine is every 12000 miles.   I would suggest that if you've recently acquired the car and you don't know its history, then change the oil as soon as - then keep records.   At the same time as changing the oil, it's as well to change the filter.   Have a new one to hand before you start.   The oil you need is any decent 5W40 multigrade to B3 or CF.   You'll need 5ltrs.  

 

You'll need the front of the car raised and you may find there's a bottom engine cover in place.   You'll need to remove that before you can reach the sump drain plug.   The plug is a round one with a hole for a 8mm hex socket to remove it.   The new filter is screwed on hand tight, but you may need a strap wrench to get the old one moving.

[Johndouglas]

Snap - Paul.   I didn't see you there :P

[winnie]

Thanks all, seems strait forward, just need it to stop raining as my garage leaks.

Pat

[paul.h]

Thanks John, looks as if I got a couple of things wrong so I now checked the procedures. The oil filter is a metal canister type at the front of the engine, the sump plug - check for the hole in it for the hex bit in case it is full of dirt and needs cleaning out, the sump plug torque setting is 34 Nm. When adding the new oil, put about 3½ litres in first off and then gradually add a bit more after a brief run of the engine. The dipstick min to max is 1.5 litres but you do not want to overfill it to avoid possible engine runaway running on the engine oil. The Haynes manual gives the oil capacity as 4.9 litres but Citroen's procedures give it as 4.5 litres with the oil filter.

 

An important thing to remember (if not already seen on this forum) is to always use axle stands to support the car before going under it - if a height sensor on the front or rear anti roll bar is knocked it is possible for the suspension to drop to a very low level of a few inches above the ground and risk of squashing. Before jacking the car up the suspension should be raised to max height - this is in the handbook somewhere - to avoid possible suspension problems, and then use the axle stands.

[Johndouglas]

The oil filter is a metal canister type

The canister filter is one of the items the early 2ltr HDIs inherited from its XUD parents. Must say they make an easier change than the later paper insert.   And they are no dearer than the paper ones.