Head Gasket Gone On My 2.2Hdi

[Andrewwood]

Hi all

I've got a Citroen C5 2.2HDI mk11 2005 auto model

 

• Registration number -  removed
• VIN NUMBER - .............605272

The head gasket went yesterday afternoon, engine died and restarted a short while later and I managed to limp the 1 mile home with copious amounts of white smoke bellowing from exhaust and a smelly engine, got home and checked the oil filler and yes, I had the dreaded mayonnaise.

 

What I need to know ideally is this a DIY job (I'm a reasonably confident mechanic but not in the best of health and not used to these engine very much), or any pointers or potential problems.

 

I would replace the timing belt, water pump and ancillary drive belt too

 

Mind you, would be nice if some kind person on the forum would give me a hand for payment AND a free holiday in Devon (SERIOUSLY!!)  :) or live locally(ish) to Devon

 

Thankyou

 

ANDY

[Johndouglas]

is this a DIY job (I'm a reasonably confident mechanic but not in the best of health and not used to these engine very much

In view of your circumstances, I would not attempt it. Even fully equipped garages run into trouble with head gasket jobs on these engines. Before the head can be removed a lot of stuff has to come off the engine. Not least the injectors. They are invariably difficult to get out because of the length of them - 12" long and the corrosion that you'll find is holding them in. There are companies who specialize in the removal of injectors but it's a costly business if they have to bring the equipment to you.

[paul.h]

If the turbo went you could have the same symptoms apart from the oil filler mayonaisse - but you would probably only get this if the head gasket had failed to the oil way, whereas getting white smoke in the exhaust due to gasket failure is steam from coolant going in to a cylinder. Has the coolant level dropped which would help confirm the head gasket failure ? Has the oil level dropped - a sign of turbo failure ? Have you noticed the mayonnaise before which can be a sign of short trips or the engine running cold. You could also look for any hoses that have come apart.

 

Haynes do not do a manual for this engine so for guidance you would need the Citroen service box which comes on 3 dvds and is installed on your pc.

[Andrewwood]

Thanks guys, I noticed low coolant a couple of times and topped it up. However since then the car starts normally, there is no white smoke or any smoke at all, and the mayonnaise in the filler cap has mysteriously disappeared also the oil looks fine on the dipstick I have ran the engine for an hour or more with no problems but have t tried yet to go for a run in it. I can't understand why the engine cut out though for a few minutes, then it was like the battery power was very low on recranking and after that I could start it normally but with lots of white smoke. I've got a guy coming to give it a sniffer test tonight so I'll see what that tells me. I've also read about this sealant called 'steel seal' and speaking to lots of people they recommend it.

Oil level is fine and no trouble with turbo.

I have the full Citroen service box installed and a Lexia 3 full diagnostic kit.

 

Cheers

Andy

[paul.h]

Hopefully the head gasket has not failed and possibly it was a fueling problem. I would be reluctant to try a sealant since it may need to be cleaned out later and then it may not work. A relative thought his Rover 25 head gasket had failed since the coolant level dropped and could be seen dripping a bit on the floor and they have a reputation for failing. An expensive sealant was tried and worked a few days but then it was worse - when checked properly it turned out the water pump was leaking.

 

To check the head gasket you may also need a compression test since it could have failed between cylinders and not between a cylinder and the cooling system so a sniffer test in the coolant may not show anything.

[coastline taxis]

Definatley not a diy job as the tools that are requred are immense. the heads normally warp on thes if driven after the gasket has gone. but the biggest problem that John has mentioned is the injector,s sticking in and for a firm to come and get them out is around the £250 area. Then the price of the new parts (possible second hand cylinder head )  timing belt, tensioner, guides, water pump, antifreeze, oil, service parts and replacement injectors and the labour cost often make it more viable to just sell it spares or repairs or look at a second hand engine

 sorry for the bad news.

 

p.s

 

I have removed your registration mark and most of your vin from your posting just to be on the safe side

[Andrewwood]

Thanks Coastine.

Well, it seems it wasn't the head gasket after all. Had a mechanic out last night and he checked it all over and h.g. Is absolutely fine, no oil in water, no water in oil, mayonnaise was using it for short journeys, apparently the egr valve is partially blocked, and the fuel filter need changing quite badly so it seems like a fuel problem especially when I opened up the fuel filler cap and I heard a lot of gurgling and hissing as though there was a vacuum in the tank, after putting 20£ diesel in we went on a 70 mile trip with absolutely no problem at all so here's hoping changing the fuel,filter will help and I will be asking on here how to do that.

 

Cheers

Andy